Like last month, I write this letter in the shadow of devastating news, this time the news comes from the Supreme Court. Although there was warning that this decision was coming, seeing the headlines of the Boston THE END OF ROE was jarring and for many of us unbelievable. Mary Ziegler writes in her editorial in the Globe, “The court has opened a new chapter in the history of the nation’s approach to fundamental rights, and no one knows where it will lead — or when it will stop. Just a few years ago, few would have predicted that the court would have reversed Roe so quickly — or in such a divisive way. Those who tell us not to be worried about other rights have been wrong before. Ask yourself whether you can believe them now.” So now we add Reproductive Rights to Gun Violence Protection Rights, to Fundamental Rights to fight for, like we have never fought before.
Marion Pollock Tzedek Newsletter Editor
REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
In the light of the Supreme Court’s Roe overturn on Friday, we are all desperate to figure out what we can do to help protect reproductive rights and women’s rights. We came across several good lists with ideas.
The first is from former Globe Columnist Ty Burr: bit.ly/RoeWYCD
Finally, many of you will remember our talk earlier this year by Cheryl Hamlin, the ob/gyn physician who, since 2016, has traveled every month to Jackson MS to provide abortion care to women at the Jackson Women’s Health Organization. As she can no longer provide these services in MS, she will become licensed in New Mexico to continue this important work. There is a GoFundMe campaign to help those who need to travel from MS to obtain abortion care.
Temple Shalom is again partnering with the The Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA) in their #LifeLongVoters Postcarding Campaign. This project was first spearheaded by congregant, Arlene Pressman leading up to the 2020 election. As we sadly bid Arlene good-by and good luck in her move to New York, we carry on her legacy during this critical time to protect and enhance our democracy. Thirteen Temple members are currently working on RAZE AZ, a voter registration campaign targeting rural communities in Arizona. They have volunteered to send out 400 postcards by the end of July. JALSA has informed us that there will be a steady flow of work leading up to the all-important midterm elections in November of this year. They are partnering with the New North Carolina Program (NNCP) whose mission is to make politics represent the needs of North Carolinians by investing in communities of color, expanding the engaged electorate, and creating lifetime voters. If you’re interested in joining our postcarding Team (recruiting men especially!), please contact Co-leaders:
Did you know a family can spend over $900 on diapers in the first year? Together we can alleviate this challenge for our Afghan friends and stock them with diapers to help welcome their new baby. Use thislink to have diapers and wipes shipped directly to them. If you would prefer to buy from a different source, please contact Sara at spollock4@gmail.com to arrange drop-off. Our goal is to provide 13 boxes of diapers for these first few months- we know that the Temple Shalom community can fill this list in no time! Please contribute today - thank you!
