Examining Hunger & Housing in Rogers Park
On Sunday Nov 7th, Or Tzedek joined forces with Northside POWER and A Just Harvest to examine issues of hunger and housing through advocacy, organizing, and direct service. After a workshop on community organizing and affordable housing, Or Tzedek canvassed the neighborhood and spoke with community members about their housing concerns and door knocked to notify residents about Northside POWER’s campaign to preserve and maintain affordable housing. Following our canvassing efforts, Or Tzedek addressed the immediate issue of hunger and poverty in Rogers Park by serving hot meals to over 150 people at the Community Kitchen. Exploring issues of hunger and housing with Northside POWER and A Just Harvest underscored the critical need to address the root causes of hunger and poverty, while still engaging in direct service.
Collaborative Immigration Program with the Cambodian Association of Illinois
Did you know that 1,400 Cambodian Americans have been issued deportation orders and can be deported any day? Did you know that the average Cambodian refugee facing deportation has lived in the US for at least 20 years?
On Oct 24, Teens from JCUA's Or Tzedek program joined youth from the Cambodian Association of Illinois last Sunday to examine how deportations are affecting the local Cambodian American community. Together, we explored our own immigration histories, witnessed personal testimonies from Cambodian American deportees, and brainstormed how we can work together to raise awareness and educate the public on this great injustice. We will continue this meaningful and powerful conversation at our next event with the Cambodian Association of Illinois. Dates will be announced soon!
Did you know that 1,400 Cambodian Americans have been issued deportation orders and can be deported any day? Did you know that the average Cambodian refugee facing deportation has lived in the US for at least 20 years?
On Oct 24, Teens from JCUA's Or Tzedek program joined youth from the Cambodian Association of Illinois last Sunday to examine how deportations are affecting the local Cambodian American community. Together, we explored our own immigration histories, witnessed personal testimonies from Cambodian American deportees, and brainstormed how we can work together to raise awareness and educate the public on this great injustice. We will continue this meaningful and powerful conversation at our next event with the Cambodian Association of Illinois. Dates will be announced soon!
Inter-Faith Tashlich Ceremony
On Sept. 19, we came together at Hyde Park’s beautiful Promontory Point to celebrate Or Tzedek’s first interfaith Tashlich ceremony with members of the Immigrant Youth Justice League. Surrounded by crashing waves and autumn leaves, we reflected on the past year, sang songs, cast away parts of ourselves that no longer serve us or bring out the best in our community, and engaged in our interfaith educational art project on immigration. After reflecting on our personal actions and intentions for the coming year, we recommitted ourselves to engaging with the larger community, working to cast away societal prejudices and inequalities, and finding the energy to work collaboratively towards common social justice goals. As we recited our societal casting away ceremony, participants discussed not only what we want to cast off as a society, but also who our society continues to cast off, marginalize and silence. We considered who our society casts off, such as undocumented immigrants, and made a commitment, as a Jewish community, to raise awareness, educate, mobilize, affect change, and collaborate with local communities so nobody is cast off in the coming year. We closed with a quote from Amos 5:24, that reconnected us to the purity of water and reaffirmed our constant commitment to social justice: “let justice flow like a river and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
Inter-Faith Vigil for Immigration Reform
Monday April 26th 7-9pm (Opening vigil)
Tuesday April 27th 5:30-9am (Closing Action)
Every day 1,100 hard working people are imprisoned, separated from their families and forcibly removed from our communities by Immigration and Custom Enforcement. Under the first year of the Obama Administration almost 400,000 people were deported from the US. An inter-faith vigil was held at the Broadview Detention Center followed by an all night watch at the Broadview Detention Center, and ending with a prayerful action Tuesday morning.
Tuesday April 27th 5:30-9am (Closing Action)
Every day 1,100 hard working people are imprisoned, separated from their families and forcibly removed from our communities by Immigration and Custom Enforcement. Under the first year of the Obama Administration almost 400,000 people were deported from the US. An inter-faith vigil was held at the Broadview Detention Center followed by an all night watch at the Broadview Detention Center, and ending with a prayerful action Tuesday morning.
Cambodian & Jewish Teen for Immigration Reform
Sunday March 21, 2010
In solidarity with the Immigration Reform March in Washington, DC, teens from the Cambodian Association of Illinois and JCUA's Or Tzedek Teen Social Justice Program gathered to learn about the effects of deportation on the Cambodian-America community. They watched the documentary Sentenced Home, which features the stories of Cambodian-Americans who were deported to Cambodia and had to leave their families and lives behind. They then planned next steps to take action on fixing our immigration system. Click here for event photos.
In solidarity with the Immigration Reform March in Washington, DC, teens from the Cambodian Association of Illinois and JCUA's Or Tzedek Teen Social Justice Program gathered to learn about the effects of deportation on the Cambodian-America community. They watched the documentary Sentenced Home, which features the stories of Cambodian-Americans who were deported to Cambodia and had to leave their families and lives behind. They then planned next steps to take action on fixing our immigration system. Click here for event photos.
JCUA's Annual Freedom & Justice Seder
Thursday March 11, 2010
The Jewish Council on Urban Affairs and Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation hosted this unique, inspiring and fun-filled Passover Seder. There was tons of live music, dancing and awesome food. Or Tzedek teen leader Rachel delivered and inspiring poem/d'var Torah on equality, freedom and human dignity. Click here to see a video of the 2008 Freedom & Justice Seder
The Jewish Council on Urban Affairs and Beth Shalom B’nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation hosted this unique, inspiring and fun-filled Passover Seder. There was tons of live music, dancing and awesome food. Or Tzedek teen leader Rachel delivered and inspiring poem/d'var Torah on equality, freedom and human dignity. Click here to see a video of the 2008 Freedom & Justice Seder
Shine a Light on Immigrant Justice Interfaith Vigil
Sunday December 10th
Or Tzedek teens joined a major march at Federal Plaza calling for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. They came together with thousands of other Americans to call on our 111th Congress and President Obama to pass just and humane immigration reform now!
Or Tzedek teens joined a major march at Federal Plaza calling for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. They came together with thousands of other Americans to call on our 111th Congress and President Obama to pass just and humane immigration reform now!
Teen Social Justice Journalism Project
Sunday November 22, 2009
Teens and professionals from Or Tzedek, Imagine Englewood If, and We the People Media met to launch Chicago's new and exciting Teen Social Justice Newsletter. Teens from all different religions, races and communities joined together to publish a newsletter which deals with social justice issues such as: * Healthcare Reform * Immigration Reform * Workers’ Justice * Affordable Housing * Equal Education for All * Food Justice * Ending Racism & Anti-Semitism. Award-winning Washington Post journalist Kari Lydersen is mentoring the teen writers and editors on the ABC's of journalism. See our Facebook Event.
Teens and professionals from Or Tzedek, Imagine Englewood If, and We the People Media met to launch Chicago's new and exciting Teen Social Justice Newsletter. Teens from all different religions, races and communities joined together to publish a newsletter which deals with social justice issues such as: * Healthcare Reform * Immigration Reform * Workers’ Justice * Affordable Housing * Equal Education for All * Food Justice * Ending Racism & Anti-Semitism. Award-winning Washington Post journalist Kari Lydersen is mentoring the teen writers and editors on the ABC's of journalism. See our Facebook Event.
Labor Day March for Immigration Reform
Monday September 7, 2009
Or Tzedek teens joined their fellow leader Mariana who worked closely with JCUA's community partner The Justice Mission to organize this 1000 person march from Union Park to Federal Plaza. folks.
Or Tzedek teens joined their fellow leader Mariana who worked closely with JCUA's community partner The Justice Mission to organize this 1000 person march from Union Park to Federal Plaza. folks.
Postville, Iowa's Kosher Meat Packing Plant
Rosh HaShanna Action
September 17-October 5, 2009
Remember Postville? In May, 2008, Agriprocessors, the largest Kosher meat processing plant in North America, was the site of a raid carried out by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. At the time it was the largest workplace immigration raid in U.S. history.
Following the raid, hundreds of workers were deported, leaving behind their spouses and children with no means of support. In addition to the immigration raids, the government has charged the former owners with criminal conduct in connection with the treatment of its workers. They currently await trial on these charges. In August, a new company SHF Industries purchased Agriprocessors, now named Agri Star. We believe this is an opportunity for change!
So now what can we all do to make sure that the new owners behave in the spirit and Jewish law (Halacha) that the Torah and our history dictates? Send SHF Industries CEO Daniel Hirsh a Rosh Hashana card, or course.
Please take a few moments to send a New Year’s greeting (download copies of the card here) to the new owners letting them know that our community cares as much about the conditions under which our food is produced as we do about the quality and fitness of our food. We care about the impact on the community, the work force, the animals and the environment.
Next, get your friends and family to fill-out the card and mail it to Mr Hirsh. If each of you get at least 20 cards sent (5 from your family, 5 from your school, 5 from your Temple/Synagogue, 5 from friends), the impact on the lives of the workers as well as us, the consumers, can be tremendous.
Keep me posted as to how many cards you’ve gotten out there and sent to Mr. Hirsh.
Shana Tova, a Happy Jewish New Year to all.
Rosh HaShanna Action
September 17-October 5, 2009
Remember Postville? In May, 2008, Agriprocessors, the largest Kosher meat processing plant in North America, was the site of a raid carried out by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. At the time it was the largest workplace immigration raid in U.S. history.
Following the raid, hundreds of workers were deported, leaving behind their spouses and children with no means of support. In addition to the immigration raids, the government has charged the former owners with criminal conduct in connection with the treatment of its workers. They currently await trial on these charges. In August, a new company SHF Industries purchased Agriprocessors, now named Agri Star. We believe this is an opportunity for change!
So now what can we all do to make sure that the new owners behave in the spirit and Jewish law (Halacha) that the Torah and our history dictates? Send SHF Industries CEO Daniel Hirsh a Rosh Hashana card, or course.
Please take a few moments to send a New Year’s greeting (download copies of the card here) to the new owners letting them know that our community cares as much about the conditions under which our food is produced as we do about the quality and fitness of our food. We care about the impact on the community, the work force, the animals and the environment.
Next, get your friends and family to fill-out the card and mail it to Mr Hirsh. If each of you get at least 20 cards sent (5 from your family, 5 from your school, 5 from your Temple/Synagogue, 5 from friends), the impact on the lives of the workers as well as us, the consumers, can be tremendous.
Keep me posted as to how many cards you’ve gotten out there and sent to Mr. Hirsh.
Shana Tova, a Happy Jewish New Year to all.
Or Tzedek Reunion 2009
August 23, 2009
Or Tzedek is already three-years-old, and have already established a young Jewish voice for social justice. At the 2009 reunion we will:
* Continue the fight for the rights of workers with a protest in front of the Congress Hotel:
* Reconnect with old friends, and meet new ones!
* Strategize how we can continue to create a more just Chicago throughout this year – we need your voice for that!
Feel free to bring a friend or two, even if they haven’t participated in Or Tzedek. The more get involved, the better!
WHO IS INVITED?
Or Tzedek teens and parents from past summer programs, projects, and any other teen interested in social justice!
Parents are encouraged to participate: there will be a Special workshop on Judaism and Social Justice just for the folks!
Looking forward to seeing you there!
August 23, 2009
Or Tzedek is already three-years-old, and have already established a young Jewish voice for social justice. At the 2009 reunion we will:
* Continue the fight for the rights of workers with a protest in front of the Congress Hotel:
* Reconnect with old friends, and meet new ones!
* Strategize how we can continue to create a more just Chicago throughout this year – we need your voice for that!
Feel free to bring a friend or two, even if they haven’t participated in Or Tzedek. The more get involved, the better!
WHO IS INVITED?
Or Tzedek teens and parents from past summer programs, projects, and any other teen interested in social justice!
Parents are encouraged to participate: there will be a Special workshop on Judaism and Social Justice just for the folks!
Looking forward to seeing you there!
