“I am not an optimist.I am a prisoner of hope.”I heard these words uttered by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, retired Anglican bishop and one of the most ardent opponents of South African apartheid,at the Social Good Summit this week.The Summit is a gathering of global leaders who come together to discuss how the power of innovative thinking and technology can solve our greatest challenges.Archbishop Tutu shared the stage with Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
After I got over the shock of being in the presence of such inspiring individuals who have done so much for the good of humanity, I was able to focus on their message.Archbishop Tutu and President Robinson share the belief that we all have the tools individually, and communally as a society, to solve the challenges that confront us.I believe that this is true; just looking around in the auditorium I could see over two hundred other social justice activists tweeting and typing on laptops, iPads, and smart phones.With the advent of social media and the continuing evolution of technology, we learn more easily of the injustices occurring around the globe.However we also have the tools to mobilize and do something about it—sharing news stories on our blogs, texting to donate to a natural disaster, and tweeting about a new innovation, like the ingenious “slavery footprint” website that raises awareness about forced labor.
The causes that compel us to act are many.In addition to Archbishop Tutu and President Robinson, we heard from Richard Gere speaking about nonviolent movements for peace, Muhammad Yunus explaining the benefits of microfinance, Tony Bates demonstrating the ability of Skype to facilitate interfaith and interethnic connection, and Ami Dar showing how we can do more with the strengths that we have by working together through a new platform on idealist.org.The speakers, though varied in age, experience, and ambition, shared a common vision—that we can meaningfully impact our communities and our world.This optimism was palpable in the room at the 92 Y and I left with the affirmation that we can achieve incredible results with a smart goal, determination, and the necessary resources.
Though it is easy to lose this positive outlook when confronted with headlines of political gridlock and a faltering economy, it is important to remember that there are incredible challenges that confront us as a society and we have the power to make a difference.The work that we do at Progressive Jewish Alliance & Jewish Funds for Justice—promoting interfaith organizing, encouraging service learning, and investing in low-income communities to name just a few—speaks to this ability.We and our partners in the social justice community see challenges facing our community and we gather our resources to find solutions.This attitude is both profoundly Jewish and universally applicable.We can do something today to change the world.Let’s get started.
It's starting to get cold and rainy here in New York. When it gets gross out, all I want to do is stay inside and watch movies. Sometimes I like movies about a white person who likes to dance and the black people that teach them the real meaning of love or whatever (like this one or this one or this one or this one).
But, sometimes, I get tired of deeply weird race relations and I prefer something about social justice.
Let's make a list of the ALL TIME BEST SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVIES! I'll start! (NOTE: Upon starting, I realized I don't know that many social justice movies, so help me make this list and give me some tips!)
96% of participants would strongly recommend Selah to colleagues.
Selah: It doesn't have to be lonely at the top. In fact, it shouldn't be.
Like social change, leadership is about engaging others: sustaining and cultivating communities and movements, inspiring others to give their best, and fulfilling your vision and your organization's mission.
Jewish Funds for Justice is proud to announce Selah's newest cohort: the Executive Cohort, exclusively designed for experienced Jewish social change leaders. The Executive Cohort provides unparalleled training for senior leaders, new tools to enhance your vision and facilitate organizational change, and the opportunity to learn among some of the nation's most innovative and inspiring Jewish social change leaders. After all, no social justice leader works alone.
Even as the New York state legislature offends those it represents by heading off into the holiday weekend without passing a budget -- now three months overdue -- they've done something fairly amazing this week, as noted yesterday on Jspot, something that sets just the kind of precedent that makes us happy.
Today, both houses of the Legislature passed legislation that truly deserves to be called historic. It would make New York the first State in the nation to enshrine in law the basic rights of a class of workers that has historically and wrongfully been excluded from such protections: the domestic workers who care for our children, clean our homes, and provide the elderly with companionship. Their work is of incalculable value, yet our laws have failed to recognize it. This bill would change that, and serve as a model for such change on a national scale....
Most of all, I must express my gratitude to the thousands of individual domestic workers who organized and fought for this legislation. They provide all of us with an example of how individuals can, through struggle and dedication, bring about positive change in the face of skepticism and doubt. This achievement belongs to them, and I will be pleased to sign it into law on their behalf.
And while we're sad to see that a few of the bill's original provisions didn't make it into the final law, we're thrilled that 200,000 domestic workers will enjoy more rights, along with more of the same benefits and protections enjoyed by other workers, like worker compensation, anti-discrimination law, and access to unemployment insurance.
A huge congratulations to Domestic Workers United, a JFSJ grantee without which this victory might not be New York's to celebrate.
Taking Jewish social justice leaders from strength to strength.
It doesn't have to be lonely at the top. In fact, it shouldn't be.
That's why Jewish Funds for Justice is launching the Selah Executive Cohort, designed for Jewish professionals dedicated to social change who have at least 10 to 15 years of experience.
The Executive Cohort provides unparalleled training for senior leaders, new tools to enhance your vision and facilitate organizational change, and the opportunity to learn among some of the nation's most innovative and inspiring Jewish social change leaders. After all, no social justice leader works alone.
The Selah Approach The Selah Leadership Program is rooted in the belief that by transforming leaders, we are better able to transform society. Selah’s Executive Cohort will bring 22 to 26 social change leaders together for eight days of intensive leadership and management training over six months. Selah approaches this learning process on three levels: the person, the organization, and the field, integrating individual development, organizational effectiveness, and collaboration skills.
The application proces is highly competitive and open to Jews interested in exploring the connections between social justice and Judaism.
Are you a senior leader in a Jewish or secular organization? Then the Seleah Executive Cohort might be for you! Learn more or apply today.
Know a great social change leader? If so, please spread the word about the Selah Executive Cohort!
96% of participants would strongly recommend Selah to colleagues!
The Jeremiah Fellowship of the Progressive Jewish Alliance educates and trains a select group of emerging Jewish leaders to become the next generation of Jewish social justice change-makers.
Participate in the Jeremiah Fellowship:
Access a dynamic network of organizers, advocates, rabbis, visionaries and renowned scholars.
Empower yourself through in-depth training in professional and leadership skills.
Expand your knowledge of Jewish tradition, text and history to put ethics into action.
Develop tangible organizing and activism skills within a Jewish context.
Explore your city through the intersection of social justice, Jewish values, and leadership.
Build a lasting community of vibrant and engaged leaders.
The Jeremiah Fellowship is a 9 month program that runs from September through June. Fellows come together for two weekday evenings per month and several weekend experiences in the field, and participate in two weekend-long retreats. The program culminates with the Jeremiah Challenge, a self-directed and community-based action project. After the Fellowship, participants are invited to join the Alumni Network to stay engaged, informed and connected.
Apply Today. PJA is now accepting applications for the 2010-11 Los Angeles Jeremiah Fellowship and are due Wednesday, June 30, 2010 by 3pm.
If you're a social justice-minded Jew, are you concerned that although Jews make up only about 2% of the US population, with Elena Kagan's appointment, Jews will make up 1/3 of the Supreme Court?
If you're cool with that fact, is it because: she's Jewish and you're Jewish or because you think Jews are smarter/more fair than the general population or because you think Jews are morally superior to other white people?
The Progressive Jewish Alliance (PJA), a dynamic and growing statewide organization dedicated to the Jewish traditions of pursuing peace, promoting equality and diversity and working for social and economic justice, seeks summer interns for its Los Angeles office.
PJA summer interns work with the PJA staff on a variety of campaigns and development projects, depending on interest and need. Possible areas of focus may include (but are not limited to):
Economic and Worker Justice Muslim-Jewish Community-Building Young Professional Leadership Development and Engagement Development and Fundraising Membership Recruitment and Engagement General Office Support
This unpaid internship is a great opportunity for anyone interested in social justice, Jewish tradition, and the nexus of the two. We seek creative, organized, and energetic self-starters with a passion for social justice. Writing and verbal communication skills highly desired. In exchange for your contribution of time and energy, we offer a unique and vibrant learning environment with a knowledgeable and friendly staff. Tasks may include organizing and attending community meetings, event planning and implementation, program research, marketing, and data-entry. And while some tasks can be administrative, we hope to create a balance of our current projects and your interests.
School credit may be available (depending on your school’s requirements).
For more information about our programs, please go to our website at www.pjalliance.org.
Our office is located in the Olympic and Fairfax area. As some work takes place outside of the office (meetings, events, etc.), access to a car is preferable.
Please email cover letter, resume, and your availability to jfeldman@pjalliance.org or fax to: (323) 761-8355 attn: Josh Feldman.
The Tea Party, Glenn Beck, and social justice have been generating a lot of headlines and conversation of late in response to comments Beck made earlier this month. And now JFSJ's making our own!
Outrage is building over the Fox News host’s claim that churches advocating “social justice” are using code words for Nazism and communism. Now a Jewish group is fighting back—through haiku......
On Wednesday, JFSJ launched HaikuGlennBeck.com, a site where readers can submit haiku responses to Beck’s “social justice” quote. Chief Strategy Officer Mik Moore said his site will feature a parallel campaign on Twitter using the hashtag #becku, and celebrities are expected to contribute as well. Comedian Nick Kroll has already offered a poem to accompany the launch.
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.
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.
