Youth Story Slam Calls Young Activists to Share Their Stories

by Jessica Cohen
JCUA Intern, Communications

On June 25, join young leaders, organizers and activists for the Youth Power Story Slam. Share and listen to people’s stories  about what it means to make a difference as a youth in Chicago. RVSP on Facebook. 

Originally conceived by Rebecca Katz and Miriam Grossman, who will both be staffing Or Tzedek’s summer 2013 sessions, the event is co-sponsored by AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps, Chicago Repair House, Moishe House Chicago, Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Imagine Englewood If… and Response.

“Working to help promote youth power through stories and media is a passion of mine,” Elie Zwiebel, of AVODAH, said. “As an educator and youth advocate, I think youth are often marginalized in our society and not given the opportunity or trust deserved and earned to play a part in shaping our societal conversations.”

The slam is an opportunity for teens and young people to share empowering and disempowering experiences in the form of stories, spoken word or poetry, creating a safe space for young Chicagoans to explore both their similarities and differences, The theme of the night is stereotypes and their consequences, filled with  as participants will speak about their experiences  as agents and targets of stereotypes based on race, gender, sexuality, religion and socioeconomic status, among other labels.

“I think a great way to fight ignorance is through storytelling,” Joel Spiegel, an Or Tzedek Advanced Activism 2013 participant, explained. “It is always a powerful experience hearing my Latino or Muslim counterparts tell me about their social justice work. It is so inspiring to hear stories, and so empowering.”

The slam’s mission centers on youth empowerment and all Chicagoans of all ages are encouraged to attend. Filled with stories that are inspiring, sad, funny and everything in-between, this will be a thought-provoking experience for all.

Having attended all three previous slams, Gita Karasov is excited to bring the event to the Chicago Repair House. “Our community is mostly in their 20s, so I thought it was especially important and meaningful for these young professionals to see how powerful youth is and to see their energy and passion. It’s nice to have an event that isn’t focused on one specific age group, but rather on working with youth, together,” Gita said.

This free and open event will take place from 7-9 pm at Chicago Repair House, 1615 W. Byron St. Apt. 2F, in Chicago’s Roscoe Village.

Jewish and Muslim Cyclists Will Ride Together, Narrowing the Distance Between Faiths

On Sunday, June 30, area Jews and Muslims will share the road and their places of worship via bicycle tour of North shore Chicago-area mosques and synagogues.

 

Photo by The Chicago Tribune

The Jewish-Muslim Ride is the second in what Julie Hochstadter, of The Chainlink hopes will be a series of annual rides that share the faiths’ heritage and houses of worship. The Chainlink: A Chicago Bicycling Online Community, is managed by Hochstadter as a website that connects cyclists to biking news and events in Chicago.

“Last year’s ride in the city was a surprisingly huge success,” says Hochstadter. “I’d love to see two rides a year in different parts of the Chicago-land area.”

Inspiration for the ride came in the mid 2000s after Hochstadter participated in a ride that brought Arab and Jewish students together to raise money for an environmental school in Israel.

“The ride not only got me hooked on biking, but on the power of bringing people of different faiths together for a fun, shared goal,” she says.

This year’s ride is co-sponsored by The Jewish-Muslim Community Building Initiative (JMCBI) (an initiative of JCUA) and the Evanston Bicycle Club. Interfaith and bicycle organizations interested in partnering to bring common ground to Muslims and Jews are welcome to sponsor or ride.

Riders will meet at the The Muslim Community Center at noon and ride to several synagogues and mosques in Morton Grove, Skokie and Evanston for a 15-mile, family-friendly ride. There are plans to tour a LEED-certified synagogue in Evanston and for a kosher ice cream stop at Chocolate Shoppe in Skokie.

“Our hope is to find common ground, quite literally,” Hochstadter says. “And show unity by riding together. The more time we spend with one other, the more we can do to bring together the two faiths and fight stereotypes and, possibly make change.”

North shore synagogue and mosque stops along the way include: The Muslim Community Center in Morton Grove; Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation; Beth Emet The Free Synagogue.

The Jewish-Muslim ride is open to riders of all abilities and all faiths.

More Information:

• Event information can be found on The Chainlink website.
• For more information on the Jewish-Muslim Community Building Innitiative, visit:  http://www.jmcbi.org

Contact:

Julie Hochstadter, Director
The Chainlink
773-965-3396
julie@thechainlink.org

 

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About The Chainlink:  With over 8,000 members, The Chainlink is Chicagoland’s premiere social media site for cyclists, from commuters to racers, from local aldermen and City of Chicago officials, to Peter Sagal of National Public Radio’s “Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me.”

[Action Alert – 5/3] Interfaith Vigil for Detained Immigrant Rights / Postville Remembrance Day

On May 3, 2013, the JCUA will participate in an interfaith vigil at the Broadview Detention Center. We will offer our support and prayers to those held at Broadview and subsequently deported. JCUA members will represent a larger Jewish voice demanding comprehensive immigration reform in the United States. The vigil will also serve to remember the tragic events in Postville, IA 5 years ago, as we seek to turn tragedy into a victory for justice.

We ask that you join us in standing with those held at Broadview and their families by participating in the vigil with us.

Click here to RSVP.

When:

7:15 AM – Vigil begins at Broadview Detention Center.

Where:

Broadview Detention Center
1930 Beach Street, Broadview, IL

Transportation:

• Once we know who wants to come, we will plan for transportation for those not driving.
• When you RSVP , please indicate if you need transportation.

Contact person:

Rabbi Ali Abrams
JCUA Director of Organizing
Alison@jcua.org

[Action Alert – 5/1] Act for Immigration Reform

On May 1, 2013, JCUA supporters will participate in the 2013 May Day March for immigration reform and immigrant rights. This movement calls for legislation to stop deportations and keep families together. It calls for legalization for all. The JCUA strongly believes that IMMIGRANT RIGHTS are HUMAN RIGHTS and we hope you will join us in marching for immigration reform.

RSVP here.

Date:

• Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Schedule:

• 2:00 PM – Gathering at Union Park
• 3:00 PM – March Begins
• 4:00 PM – Rally at Federal Plaza (Jackson St. and Dearborn St.)

JCUA Meeting Area:

Option 1: Meet us at 2:30 PM (Union Park)

• You can arrive at Union Park via Ashland-Lake CTA train (Green and Pink lines)
• JCUA members will be at the northeast corner of Ashland and Washington (see photo of meeting area). Look for the JCUA sign!

Option 2: Meet us at 4:00 PM (approximately) at the rally (Federal Plaza):

• When the march arrives at Federal Plaza, JCUA members will gather between the Calder sculpture and the federal building. (see photo of the meeting area). Look for the JCUA sign!

RSVP:

• Let us know if you plan on coming. It will make coordinating much easier!
• RSVP here.

With any questions, please contact:

Rabbi Ali Abrams
JCUA Director of Organizing
Alison@jcua.org

[Video] JCUA Members Stand for Immigrant Rights with Interfaith Partners at Detention Center

by Lauren Goldstein
Organizing and Advocacy Intern, JCUA

Early in the morning of April 5 2013, members of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs stood alongside the Sisters of Mercy and other interfaith partners in prayer and in strength to support those being deported from the Broadview Detention Center.

In the shadow of the barbed wire fencing and the county jail buses, amidst police vehicles and officers, and beneath a waving American flag, words of prayer and songs were shared to illustrate our solidarity with our brothers and sisters currently being detained in this country. Standing with us were a few families waiting to say goodbye to their family members. Vigil participants told the families that we were all there to pray with them, and that they are not, and never will be, alone.

Judy Levey – executive director of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs – offered an opening prayer for the vigil as we all joined together to sing “The World is Narrow Bridge” (see video below). Prayers were offered, proclaiming we will keep in our hearts those being deported, the families been torn apart, those living in fear and uncertainty, and the leaders of our nation who have the power to make a change. Above all, prayers expressed hope that the spirit of love be more powerful than the spirit of hatred and discrimination.

Participants learned the names of a number of individuals being deported that day to countries around the world, from Albania to Guatemala, for no reason other than administrative paperwork error. Those present were called to contact our elected officials and plead for comprehensive, compassionate immigration reform. We were moved to act now – to create and affect change now – to fight for justice now.

[VIDEO] Watch JCUA on ABC7 Marching for Immigrant Rights and Take Action

by Rabbi Alison Abrams
Director of Organizing, JCUA

On Sunday, March 10, 2013, JCUA participated in the National Coming Out of the Shadows March and Rally to call for a stop to deportations and an end to criminalizing immigrants (scroll down to read how you can take action in March and April).

JCUA volunteers at the march

By the end of the day, hundreds of people were gathered to hear stories of undocumented individuals and the impact of our broken immigration system on families.  These men and women stepped out of the shadows to say they lived as both “undocumented and unafraid.”

Through chants, prayers, songs, and stories, we stood in solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters to say change must come and it must come now.  To this end, we will continue our fight for a just and compassionate immigration system that honors all peoples’ human rights.

TV Coverage:

Watch ABC7′s coverage of the march (including JCUA volunteers raising the Jewish voice for immigrant justice):

Take Action With JCUA:

• Wednesday, March 20, 2013: Join us at the National Museum of Mexican Art for our Freedom and Justice Seder on March 20th at 6pm where we will again make our voices heard.
• Friday, April 5, 2013: Please join us at the detention center in Broadview, IL, where we will participate in an interfaith vigil, drawing attention to the injustice of current detention and deportation practices.

Please RSVP for these actions so we know to expect you.

Questions? Contact:

Rabbi Alison Abrams
Director of Organizing
alison@jcua.org

Get Trained to Advocate for Common Sense Gun Legislation

For the past several months, JCUA and our community partners have been pushing for effective legislation in Illinois that would reduce gun violence in Chicago. We need 100,000 signatures of concerned citizens to bring lawmakers to vote on legislation that requires guns to be titled like cars and we need your help!

Attend a training on common sense gun legislation, and become a more effective advocate:

WHEN:
Sunday, March 17th, 11-12:30 pm

WHERE:
Beth Hill Congregation B’nai Emunah (Spak Auditorium)
3220 Big Tree Lane, Wilmette

Please RSVP here.

Questions? Contact:

Rabbi Alison Abrams
Director of Organizing, JCUA
alison@jcua.org

Exploring Cafe Finjan’s Venue: American Islamic College

American Islamic College will host Cafe Finjan – the annual Jewish/Muslim performing arts event – on April 4th, 2013. Find out more about this vibrant community institution that combines academic learning, community engagement and Islamic spirituality.

by Max Harkavy
Communications Intern, JCUA

American Islamic College (AIC), located at 640 W Irving Park Road in Chicago, was founded, it was intended to serve as a college of liberal arts & sciences that is grounded in Islamic spirituality.

Romana Manzoor

“The building that houses AIC was bought from Immaculata High School in the 1980s with the hopes of creating a liberal arts college that would operate within an Islamic framework,” said Romana Manzoor, the program coordinator for AIC.  The first administration at AIC was able to work up to being fully accredited, but the institution has since seen their accreditation revoked.

“The new administration, that started in 2010, is working to revamp and revive the college,” said Manzoor.  “We are starting the accreditation process all over again.”

Since taking over, the new administration has enhanced the mission of the college, going beyond the attempts of the previous administration, by creating a hotbed for both spiritual and secular learning.  AIC seeks to be an institution that can offer classes that are academically rigorous, challenging, and thought provoking.  Offering these types of courses is important but the college also seeks to remain rooted in spirituality, while being a place where students can feel comfortable with expanding their knowledge of both Islam and other, more secular topics.

[EVENT: 3/20] “Parsley, Plagues, and Power”: JCUA’s Seder

by Max Harkavy
Communications Intern, JCUA

On Wednesday, March 20^th, 6-8:30pm, The Jewish Council on Urban Affairs will be hosting a unique and meaningful community Passover Seder.  The event is titled “Parsley, Plagues, and Power: JCUA’s Annual Freedom and Justice Seder” (see event details).

This Seder seeks to connect the themes of Passover with the pursuit of justice, addressing community struggles, and engaging Jews with the mission of JCUA.

“A Jewish voice in social justice work is very important,” says Rabbi Ali Abrams, JCUA’s Director of Organizing.  Rabbi Abrams will co-lead the Seder with Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann of Mishkan Chicago, a spiritual Jewish community committed to soulful musical prayer and learning.

Through this event, JCUA hopes to reach out to many local, young, Jewish adults about specific advocacy efforts and community organizing in which JCUA is involved.  The goal of this event is “for us to create energy around our work, engage large numbers of new people, and bring in new leadership for the Jewish community” remarked Abrams.

CALL TO ARTISTS: Cafe Finjan 2013

by Asaf Bar-Tura
Director of Programs, JCUA

YOU are invited to apply to CAFÉ FINJAN 2013: The 12th Annual Jewish/Muslim Performing Arts Event

Jewish and Muslim poets singer-songwriters, storytellers, comedians, actors, dancers, bands, painters, photographers, and filmmakers: We look forward to seeing your work! Professionals and non-professionals are welcome to apply.

EVENT DETAILS:

• WHEN: 6:00-9:00pm, Thursday, April 4, 2013
• WHERE: American Islamic College, 640 W. Irving Park Road, Chicago

APPLY NOW! DEADLINE: THURSDAY, MARCH 1

To apply, send an email to CafeFinjan2013@gmail.com. Kindly include:

• Your name
• Contact information (phone and email)
• Description of your performance piece
• Samples of your art (mp3s, links, videos, photos) if possible
• Indicate the community (Jewish or Muslim) with which you identify

QUESTIONS?

Contact Asaf Bar-Tura, asaf@jcua.org