Work on Social Justice from Home: News for March 20, 2020
04/10/2020 09:52:03 AM
Apr10
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A Word From Social Justice Coordinator Jason Taper
Shalom y'all! I'm Jason Taper, the Social Justice Coordinator for Temple Beth Shalom and Congregation Beth Israel. This newsletter is intended for everyone in the Austin Jewish community and allies to see what great social justice opportunities are going on.
During this time of social distancing, I'm sharing opportunities to organize that are available from home.Each issue has its own current point person to contact, if you'd like to get involved.
On March 30 from 12-1:30, we are having a community-wide Zoom call to connect and set priorities. The link to join is here. And if we haven't chatted one-on-one, reply or text me at 469-834-9987 and let's talk!
Jason Taper Social Justice Coordinator Temple Beth Shalom & Congregation Beth Israel
RAC-TX also signed onto an urgent letter (attached) urging the Texas Secretary of State to respond adequately not only to the COVID-19 crisis but also to the election problems that arose on Super Tuesday.
Reform Congregations--Immigration Work Website Check out Daniela Weil's immigration advocacy website to find the latest actions and her thoughtful analysis, updated frequently.
Opportunities for Involvement
Temple Beth Shalom Social Justice Core Team (Anti-Poverty) Contact: Larkin Tackett, 512-657-9383, larkin.tackett@gmail.com
Upcoming Event: Monthly action team meeting led by Ofelia Zapata When: April 15 at 10:30 a.m. Where: Via Zoom (email Larkin Tackett for link)
Jewish tradition is filled with commandments to help the poorest among us: feed the hungry, clothe the naked, care for the widow and orphan. When we organize to place working class voices at the center of how our community morally responds to poverty, we not only improve the advocacy we undertake, but fundamentally empower those who the Torah compels us to uplift.
Advocates for Social Justice Reform (Criminal Justice) Contact: Bob Batlan, bobbatlan1@gmail.com
Upcoming Events: Zoom call to determine how best to remotely organize March 23 Email Bob Batlan for the Zoom link
Unscheduled Upcoming Actions: * Zoom meeting with Austin Interfaith regarding working together * Zoom meeting regarding partnerships with others * Zoom meetings with County Commissioners regarding potential state grant for representation of indigent at magistration * Zoom meetings regarding discussions with District Attorney, County Attorney, and County Court at Law runoff candidates.
This organization focuses on criminal justice reform advocacy. Members have studied key criminal justice reform issues in depth, focusing on Travis County; obtained a grant from State of Texas to support formation of Travis County Public Defender Office; obtained minority representation for Public Defender Oversight Committee from within the group.
"Justice, justice, you shall pursue." A just system of laws is ingrained from Leviticus through King David through every contradicting comment in the Talmud. Even an eye for an eye is blind to whose eye is taken, so we organize for a criminal justice system that is truly fair and impartial.
ICE Reform Advocacy Contacts: Maria Reza, Daniela Weil Ongoing Action: Demanding Release of T. Don Hutto Detainees Grassroots Leadership is asking folks to call (script here) and ask for the release of the women inside T. Don Hutto detention center, as they have little to no access to medical resources (the women inside have no choice but to purchase a bar of soap for $4 because the jail won't supply them with basic necessities). These are all women who are seeking asylum and have absolutely no need to be detained inside a hazardous jail, especially during an epidemic.
Grassroots Leadership also joined nine advocacy organizations by sending a letter to local officials about what can be done to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 in our Central Texas communities, especially among the most vulnerable.
This group organizes against ICE contracts and inhumane treatment of detainees, including research, elected official contact, and protests. Our Jewish values compel us to show compassion to these women who fled their countries after seeing their families being killed, crossed the ocean and arrived in a place they considered a safe haven. The dangers of Germany then and Guatemala now both compel allyship.
This organization has been protecting Hilda Ramirez and her son Iván, who are Guatemalan asylum seekers, from ICE detention and deportation to certain danger, for four years.
“The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love them as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” So we show our love and solidarity with Hilda and Iván whenever we can.
HIAS hosted the Austin Jews for Refugees conference, providing education on the policies and lived realities of refugee issues and connection to nonprofits working in this space to over 200 participants.
Our own people’s history as “strangers” reminds us of the many struggles faced by immigrants today, and we affirm our commitment to create the same opportunities for today’s refugees that were so valuable to our own community when we fled our gravest dangers.
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Temple Beth Shalom 7300 Hart Lane Austin, TX 78731
