1. Yesterday I went to a large demonstration at Trader Joes in Union Square for the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW), demanding Trader Joes to pay a penny more per pound of tomatoes picked in their fields. So inspiring to go to a demo when you know there's precedent and power to actually make it happen.Trader Joes should agree now and move on, cause it's in the bag.
2. The first five people who showed up- Jews! Timely and concerned...two awesome qualitiies. Go Jews!
3.There were awesome musicians playing Son Jarocho...definitely a crowd pleaser. Son Jarocho is a traditional musical style of Veracruz, a Mexican state along the Gulf of Mexico. Lots of Son Jarocho players seem to love the CIW and social justice. Here's a video of some CIW loving musicians based in Santa Ana that I've come to know through the CIW.
In the spring of 2009, certain politicians, pundits, and others lacking knowledge blamed ongoing foreclosure crisis on the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). A year later, I wondered if things had calmed down a bit (I don't know why I would think that, given the other rhetoric currently bandied about, but I guess I was trying to be optimistic.) Nope. People are still blaming a policy that tried to bring about some economic justice - and actually prevented the housing financial metldown from being worse than what is was - for today's woes. Not only is this tactic a smokescreen for the real problems that we face, but it is also patently false.
Even if the CRA is not the hot topic these days, I think it is important to understand what it is. CRA requires banks with branches in disadvantaged communities to stop discriminatory practices called redlining. Redlining means that no matter what the credit worthiness of a borrow is, if he or she lives within certain boundaries, banks summarily dismiss their loan applications. While redlining is technically illegal, banks continued to practice it anyway. CRA said that if you want to do business in a community, you need to find ways to responsibly invest in it.One way to do so is to find credit-worthy borrowers and provide them with mortgages.This worked very well for over 30 years.
Before Katrina hit, Six Flags New Orleans was struggling. When the levees broke, the site was flooded with several feet of water. Since it has receded, the park has remained closed.
Home Star, the home energy efficiency policy that will save consumers millions of dollars and create over 150,000 jobs, continues to gain momentum in Congress. Earlier today a diverse group of businesses and advocacy organizations testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee, calling for swift action on this policy.
What's most impressive about Home Star is the broad support it has. The Home Star Coalition has over 700 supporting organizations, ranging from Green For All and Blue Green Alliance to Home Depot. Five groups testified before Congress on the environmental and economic benefits of the program. You can read full testimony here.
Chairman Henry Waxman of California opened the hearing by reminding us that Home Star combines two vital issues:job creation and energy independence.
Today, our nation continues its courageous struggle to overcome the worst recession in 70 years. No sector of the economy has been harder hit than the home construction services sector. Today, more than one in four construction workers are unemployed – more than twice the national average.
We need these workers and their skills more than ever. We must seize the opportunity to modernize our homes and buildings and ensure their efficient use of energy. Ten percent of global greenhouse gas emissions are attributable to American buildings. Improving the efficiency of those buildings would allow us to reduce our carbon pollution and save money at the same time.
The HomeStar proposal is compelling because it addresses both of these problems simultaneously.
The Home Star Coalition, which boasts over 700 supporting organizations, issued a press release this morning re-affirming support for this legislation. Jewish Funds for Justice added our official support to the coalition with this statement:
“We share President Obama’s belief in the need to invest in the green economy and create good jobs that can’t be shipped overseas. We are supporting HOME STAR because it will create long-term, well-paying jobs that help struggling workers achieve economic security while also lowering energy costs. These goals are not only consonant with Jewish values of tzedek (justice) and tikkun olam (repair of the world), but are squarely in the interest of a Jewish community that would like to see the United States end our dependence on foreign energy while taking necessary steps to heal our planet,” said Simon Greer, President and CEO, Jewish Funds for Justice.
As I write this, it's 9:15 in the morning on the East Coast. And, according to Stop the Hunger, 11,000 people have died of hunger so far today. In the past nine-and-a-quarter hours.
Our partners at American Jewish World Service have developed a unique campaign to raise awareness of this crisis. This weekend, they're organizing a Global Hunger Shabbat, with a set of tools, readings and prayers to encourage consideration of the hunger and opportunities to develop solutions.
Rabbi Oren Hayon of Dallas had an idea to that end. He and some colleagues are tweeting the Exodus story, building the story by collecting the simulated tweets of its participants.
For example:
@DaughterofPharo: Hey! Something just touched my leg! Is it a croc? Oh - just a basket. Whew! OMEG! There's a baby in here!
This will either get people more excited about Passover or less excited about Twitter. Which, remains to be seen.
Meet Pam and Carol. Two women facing similar problems. Pam's son lost his job, then his house. Carol faced foreclosure on her home. They both went looking for help. That's where their stories diverge.
Worried about her family, Pam went looking for answers. She found the Tea Party.
Scared to lose her home, Carol also went looking for answers. She found Hope Community Credit Union.
Pam found a vehicle for her anger - but she didn't find a solution.
This weekend, thousands are heading to DC for the March for America rally, demanding comprehensive immigration reform. Are you going? Check out the We Were Strangers, Too campaign (the Jewish campaign for immigration reform) for ongoing updates.
A few of the great events happening on Sunday, March 21st include:
Bagel Brunch: Have a nosh and kick off the day by making posters and meeting other Jewish advocates. RSVP here. Because of heightened security, you must RSVP in advance to be admitted. When: 11:00am-12:30pm Where: Hillel in Chinatown at 800 Eighth Street, NW.
Interfaith Prayer Vigil: Connect with people of faith in a prayer service. When: 1:00-2:00pm Where: National Mall from 7th to 14th streets (small stage)
And last but not least, THE RALLY: Join thousands of supporters at the Lincoln Memorial for the March For America, to demand comprehensive immigration reform that protects family unity, safeguards workers, creates a path to legalization and secures our borders. When: 2:00-5:00pm Where: National Mall from 7th to 14th streets (big stage)
Can't make it to DC? Join the National Jewish Conference Call on Immigration Reform, click here for more information and to sign up.
Also, check out this new video from Jewish Council on Urban Affairs!
If you're like me, you're desperate to keep up with the hottest trends in progressive circles. Like me, you want to keep up with what cool people are wearing/eating/thinking/caring about. Well, I have the answers!
OUT...Fixed gear bicycles Now that everyone knows what one is and has one, riding brakeless, gearless $5000 bike is SO two years ago.
IN...Urban beekeeping! Today, NYC is deciding if beekeeping should be legal in the city, but lots of people are already doing this. It's got DIY underground appeal, mixed with the potential for danger
