I have memories of riding the T to the Boston Common to hear and see Martin Luther King Jr. with my grandmother and mother. I was 15 years old. Although the memories are somewhat vague it was a powerful experience and perhaps shaped a personal commitment to Social Justice. Each year I attend the City of Newton MLK Celebration. It is always inspiring and motivates me to try to do better, to not be silent and to act upon the things that matter. Please consider joining other Newton residents at this annual event. Details are below.
Best wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year filled with the hope for peace in our broken world.
Marion Pollock Tzedek Newsletter Editor
Newton's Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration
Join the Harmony Foundation, our event partners, and other community members from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. for reflection, music (including solo performances) student voices, children's programming with Story Starters, service opportunities and more at Newton North High School, 457 Walnut St., Newton. This is a live event. If there is a snow or other emergency, registrants will be contacted by email, and updates will be posted to the city website.
FOOD DRIVE Collection Dates: Jan 8th - 15th Please support the annual food drive held in honor of this event, and hosted by the Rotary Club of Newton in partnership with the Village Bank.
Requested Items: Non-Expired Cereal (Kid-friendly and name brands preferred), Hearty Canned Soup (meat, beans, veggies), White Tuna in Water, Ground Coffee, Shampoo, Deodorant, Toothpaste, Mac & Cheese, Cereal / Granola Bars, Baby Wipes.
Venues: Village Bank Locations, Newton Free Library, Scandinavian Living Center, Newton City Hall, Newton Police Headquarters.
Day of Event Program Details Program Timeline:
9:15 Arrival
9:30 Program Start
10:15 Story Starters
11:30 Program End
11:30 - 12:30 Reception
12:45 Service Education and Lunch for Participants (NNHS)
1-3 Service (on site at NNHS and at Cradles to Crayons)
Affordable Housing In Newton You're cordially invited to attend a special update on affordable housing progress in Newton on Wednesday January 10 at 6:30 PM! Sponsored by the Newton Interfaith Housing Coalition, the meeting at the Union Church in Waban will have two important speakers: Past City Council President Susan Albright will talk about the historic Zoning Reform passed last year, and Larry Seamans of Family Aid will talk about the Navigation Center for 42 families that will open this spring on Washington Street not far from Temple Shalom. Please plan to attend and help kick off a good 2024 on the Newton housing front!
The Temple Shalom Reproductive Justice Initiative has been active this Fall.
We completed the assembly of 150 post-abortion comfort packages which were delivered to HealthQ Sexual Health Clinic in Lawrence. Thanks to all who donated items and participated in putting the packages together.
In December, we organized a tour of the Hadassah-Brandeis Institute’s compelling excellent art exhibit of Deeply Rooted: Faith in Reproductive Justice. The exhibit is still open until February 1 st at the Kniznick Gallery at Brandeis. More information here.
Presently, we are participating in a postcard campaign sponsored by Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA) urging state legislators to pass the Location Shield Act which would ban the sale of data from cell phones. Without this protection, those using abortion centers can be tracked, leaving their privacy unprotection.
We are now looking ahead to 2024 - a critical year for reproductive justice. Please join us for a planning meeting on Wednesday, January 17th at 7:30 pm on Zoom. All are welcome who are passionate about reproductive rights. Please bring your energy and creativity. There is a lot to do both nationally and right here in Massachusetts!
Story Starters: Winter 2024 Kickoff with author Kaija Langley, Jan. 28 BY FCN ON JANUARY 2, 2024 Story Starters has an eight-week Family Conversations Program designed for parents who want to start and strengthen conversations about race with their young children. The Winter 2024 Cohort starts on January 28 with a special read-aloud with local author Kaija Langley. The program provides families with:
A bundle of 6 books tailored to children’s ages
5 caregiver guides full of research, resources, and family activities to support and deepen family race conversations
4 curated book lists to support further exploration and conversation
2 in-person family events and 2 virtual caregiver workshops
2 virtual office hours
Support from a network of current families and alumni to lean on and learn from
Special events to facilitate community connection
The Winter 2024 program kicks off on Sunday, January 28, 3PM - 4:30PM at Jammin’ With You (12B Mica Lane, Wellesley). Register by January 19.
For additional program dates and details, visit the links above. For more information, email kari@story-starters.org.
