Guest Op-Ed: Guns are Not Toys

The following is an op-ed piece by Sophie Leff, a junior at Northside College Prep. Sophie did Or Tzedek’s Activism and Community Organizing  summer program in 2011 and Advanced Activism in 2012. She was a part of the leadership team who planned Or Tzedek’s first Winter Leadership Retreat in 2011. Sophie is currently the Social Action Vice President of Beth Emet Synagogue Senior Youth. In this op-ed, she writes, “There are times when I have to wonder how many young people my age will actually live to be the age where they can say they were born and raised here in Chicago.”

Guns are not toys. This, I think, we can all agree on. I would venture a guess that even those who don’t believe in stricter gun control laws accept that guns can be dangerous and should be used with care, and most importantly kept away from children.

 Imagine my surprise when, the other night, I stopped in my local Mexican restaurant to pick up a burrito and was met with a 50 cent machine dispensing very realistic-looking, if less than life-size, “Guns n’ Grenades” key chains. For the low price of half a dollar, you too, can arm your son or daughter with a training weapon.

One of the reasons I was so shocked was that it seems so obvious. Giving a child a toy gun will not teach them how serious and dangerous such weapons are. It will not teach them to avoid guns for their own safety. It will not teach them to approach guns, if they ever must, with a strong sense of responsibility.

[Guest Post] Turn a Tragedy into a Victory for Justice

In May 2008, federal immigration agents raided the small town of Postville, IA – separating families and devastating a community. JCUA responded immediately (see photos), and worked with the Postville community in the years following the raid (read article). Nearly 5 years after the raid, JCUA’s partners in Iowa are calling for comprehensive immigration reform with renewed hope and urgency. 

by Sr. Mary McCauley, BVM
Dubuque, Iowa

Soon we will commemorate the Fifth Anniversary of the 2008 Immigration Raid in Postville, Iowa.  Having been in Postville at that time, I still carry with me the suffering of the people.

JCUA members, Postville – July, 2008 (more photos)

I recall the small girl with a scrap of paper in her hand crawling up the steps into the sanctuary and handing her paper to our Hispanic Minister with words that were clear and direct.  “Please bring my daddy home!”

I recall the women walking the streets of Postville with mandated GPS devices on their ankles.  During our walks and prayer vigils they held their heads high and carried signs that read:  “We are not criminals.  We came to work.  We came to feed our families.  We are mothers.”

I recall the words of Rigoberto Menchu, the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize winner from Guatemala, who visited with those affected by the raid:  “I see the problem of Postville as full of injustices.  You should not rest until justice is done….”

The people, the memories, the pain, the injustices and the words of Menchu continue to haunt me.  I cannot rest until justice is done.

Five years ago a tragedy took place in Iowa.  Iowans responded with compassion, sensitivity and justice. Today there is another opportunity for Iowans to respond.  May we unite with one another and support legislation for comprehensive immigration reform.    May we turn the tragedy of Postville into a victory for justice.   May we not rest until justice is done!

Mary McCauley, BVM
Dubuque, Iowa 52003

Guest Op Ed: Work Ethic Only Part of Success

The following op-ed is by Bradley Faskowitz, a senior at Capistrano Valley High School in California. Bradley participated in Or Tzedek’s Activism and Community Organizing program in summer 2012. The following was originally posted on Bradley’s Facebook page.

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Bradley and Miranda on Or Tzedek

Today I saw something that makes me livid. There was a bumper sticker that said “Don’t share my money, share my work ethic.” This is obviously a Republican bumper sticker, and although I lean left, I am not offended by the republican rhetoric. The right has valid reasoning for its policies. What I am offended by is the inaccurate presumption that others do not work as hard as you.

Although you can perhaps be one of the hardest workers out there, do NOT call out another’s work ethic. This past summer, I met DREAMers in Chicago who were some of the hardest working teens, and people for that matter, that I have ever seen in my life.

Getting out the immigrant vote: Or Tzedek’s Summer 2012 Reunion

By Hannah Lynch

The following in a blog post by Hannah Lynch, Or Tzedek Summer 2012 participant. Hannah is a sophomore at Chicagoland Jewish High School. During the 2012 summer reunion, Hannah showed herself to be a dedicated canvasser with a ferocious drive to register people to vote! 

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Or Tzedek members – Hannah, Shani and Joel – canvassing to register immigrant voters in Highwood, IL.

As a follow up to our Or Tzedek experience, the three 2012 summer session participants reunited in Highwood, IL to empower immigrant voices in this election. We spent the day canvassing. We divided into small groups and went from house to house, talking to people about registering to vote and getting involved in the upcoming elections.

Because Highwood has a large  immigrant population, it was a fitting place to begin spreading the word about the elections and get young people and adults involved in the process. Voting in elections gives citizens the chance to speak up and support what is important to them. However, in order to do this, they must be registered voters. While there are qualifications to register to vote, namely, being a citizen and eighteen years old by Election Day, everyone has the capability to get involved. Other Or Tzedek participants and I set out to do just that; to inform people on the ways they can be civically involved, whether or not they can vote.

Guest Op-Ed: JCUA Teen Leader on the CTU Strike

by Sophie Leff

Sophie Leff (left) at a JCUA event

The following is an op-ed piece by Sophie Leff, a junior at Northside College Prep. Sophie did Or Tzedek’s Activism and Community Organizing  summer program in 2011 and Advanced Activism in 2012. She was a part of the leadership team who planned Or Tzedek’s first Winter Leadership Retreat in 2011. Sophie is currently the Social Action Vice President of Beth Emet Synagogue Senior Youth.

Sophie writes: “I do not prioritize national standardization. I prioritize safe physical and emotional learning environments; modern, relevant and challenging curricula; abundant and up-to-date instructional materials; and above all, good teachers. This isn’t a message only for CPS, it’s for the State of Illinois. Its negligent school funding (based on property taxes) provides the least amount of resources for those who need it most, and it’s a message for the nation as a whole.”