[Action Alert] Jewish Community Immigration Reform Call-In Day

Join us in a Jewish Community Immigration Reform Call-In Day on Tuesday, May 21st. Please call Senators Kirk and Durbin letting them know you support a just, humane bill.

For the past few weeks, senators have been hearing and voting on amendments to the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act S. 744- the Senate proposal for Comprehensive Immigration Reform. Senators reconvened today and they are expected to begin considering amendments related to refugees, asylees, and other vulnerable populations. We are also hearing that they might consider amendments related to family and the pathway to citizenship today or tomorrow.

Currently, 11 million people live in fear of separation and arrest because our immigration system is broken and there is no way for them to earn citizenship.  At JCUA, we want to make sure this bill creates a clear path to citizenship without obstacles.  We want our legislators to prioritize keeping families together, and want the bill to include protections for the families of LGBT persons.

American Jews are a community deeply connected to the immigrant story. That history guides us and we will not shut the door on those who came after us. Providing a roadmap to citizenship fundamentally reflects our Jewish values and communal experience in America.

It is critical that our senators hear from us now! Join us in a Jewish Community Immigration Reform Call-In Day tomorrow May 21st. Please call Senators Kirk and Durbin letting them know you support a just, humane bill.

[Video] JCUA Marches for Immigration Reform: May Day 2013

by Lauren Goldstein
JCUA Intern, Advocacy and Community Organizing

On Wednesday, May 1, JCUA joined thousands of families, individuals, activists, advocates, and organizations to march for just and compassionate immigration reform.

In photo: Rabbi Alison Abrams, JCUA’s director of organizing, at the march.

It was a beautiful spring day (finally!) – perfect for coming together for social change. We arrived at Union Park at 2:30 to the sound of drums beating, people chanting, and flags waving. We then joined the march, which was just getting underway. We marched alongside allies from the Erie Neighborhood House, Logan Square Neighborhood Association, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (of which JCUA is a member), Unite Here, Rabbi Joshua Salter from the South West Organizing Project, Community Renewal Society, and many, many more.

The energy was high and the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as the march converged with another march for immigration reform that started at a different location, so that we could all march together as one large group into the Loop to Federal Plaza.

As we weaved through the afternoon rush amidst businessmen and women, bicycles, taxis, and buses, the group continued to sing and shout chants such as “What do we want? Immigration Reform! When do we want it? NOW!” and we soon closed in on Federal Plaza. The rally continued at the plaza with the goal of sparking excitement and change for the future.

The need for comprehensive immigration reform, the necessity that we stop deportations, that we stop tearing families apart, is growing ever more important with each passing day. The time has long been here to change our current system so that we may be a more humane, compassionate people. On May Day, JCUA marched united with the many people in our city who work tirelessly for change, and we are honored to have had the opportunity to be a part of this vital change.

See footage from JCUA’s march on May Day:

For more on JCUA’s work for immigrant rights, visit:

http://www.jcua.org/immigration

[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] 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

In Pursuit of Just, Compassionate, and Comprehensive Immigration Reform

by Rabbi Alison Abrams
Director of Organizing, JCUA

There has been much energy, media coverage, excitement, and debate this week about both the Senate’s Blueprint and the President’s articulation of his vision for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR).   At JCUA, we are glad to see Immigration Reform return to the national radar and hope the urgency and momentum we have seen in recent days remains strong over the coming months.

Members of JCUA’s Immigrant Justice Action Team are again organizing and mobilizing a Jewish voice for a just and compassionate response to our broken immigration system through CIR legislation.  We will continue to advocate for a plan with a clear, effective path to citizenship that upholds civil rights and honors the humanity of undocumented immigrants (click for interactive timeline of our immigration work in recent years).

In  early 2010, JCUA drafted our “JCUA Statement of CIR Principles” which remain relevant in the current conversation about CIR.  Committed to human rights, we also want to see legislation which includes protection for LGBTQ people and their families.

Jewish tradition demands that we care for the “stranger” in our midst and our history compels us to fight for immigrant justice.  We invite you to join us in making just, compassionate, and comprehensive immigration reform a reality in 2013.

To get involved, contact:
Rabbi Ali Abrams
Director of Organizing, JCUA
alison@jcua.org

[ACTION ALERT] Define America: Empower Immigrant Voices in the Elections

States across the country are making it harder for low-income people and people of color to vote in the upcoming elections (watch Sarah Silverman’s related new video: “Let My People Vote” – Warning: contains explicit language).

Join JCUA in a local non-partisan effort that crosses ethnic, racial and religious lines, transforming community relationships and advancing a social justice agenda. It is time for us to raise our voices together for immigrant justice and empower immigrant voices in these elections.

Take Action! Upcoming Opportunities:

•  Voter Registration- Sunday, Sept. 30, 1-5 pm, Highwood Public Library, 102 Highwood Ave, Highwood, IL.
• Get Out The Vote- Sunday, Oct. 14, 1-5 pm, Wheeling, IL. Exact Location TBA. 
• Get Out The Vote- Sunday, Oct. 28, 1-5 pm, Wheeling, IL. Exact Location TBA. 

 Please contact Rebecca at rebecca@jcua.org or 312-663-0960, ext. 124 to participate. 

Make A Difference in the Upcoming Elections: Empower Immigrant Voters

JCUA and The Lakeside Congregation Social Action Committee invite all interested people to learn more about our campaign to increase voter turnout in underrepresented communities in the North Shore for the upcoming elections.

What:
Information and training session for potential volunteers, for JCUA’s “Get Out The Vote” campaign

When:
Thursday, September 6^th, 7:00-8:30pm

Where:
Lakeside Congregation, Community Room
1221 County Line Road
Highland Park, IL

More Details About the Campaign:
JCUA and Lakeside Congregation are partnering with Fenix Family Health Center in Highwood and the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights on a Get Out The Vote campaign in the Highland Park/Highwood communities. The campaign seeks to increase immigrant voter turnout to ensure the immigrant communities are equally represented in these elections and raise awareness about immigration issues. It is our hope that this campaign will be a step toward creating a lasting network of community leaders and will strengthen relationships between the diverse members of the north shore communities. We hope you can help us help others!

For more details contact:

Emily Zucker Burns, Director of Organizing
Jewish Council on Urban Affairs
emily@jcua.org

Take Action: Join JCUA Members (Teens and Older) Who Are Getting Out the Immigrant Vote

JCUA and it’s members are already mobilizing to amplify immigrant voices in the upcoming election, and to get out the immigrant vote. Read about how JCUA’s teens are already making a difference, and see below how Jews of all ages can join the team…

By Emily Zucker Burns, Director of Organizing
Jewish Council on Urban Affairs

JCUA’s Or Tzedek teens registering voters, August, 2012

Armed with clipboards and dressed in garbage bags to guard against the drizzle, youth activists from JCUA’s Or Tzedek program went door-to-door in Highland Park on a rainy August afternoon to register eligible people to vote and to engage voters about immigration issues, such as a pending legislation to grant undocumented immigrants the right to drive in Illinois.

The canvass came after a day full of learning about the power of voting to move forward social justice campaigns and amplify the voices of underrepresented communities and immigration issues. In the morning, Ilya Sheyman, a community organizer at MoveOn.org, trained Or Tzedek in the critical organizing skill of power mapping and JCUA’s Director of Organizing, Emily Zucker Burns, lead a workshop on the evolution of immigration policy. Following the trainings, the teens met with current 10th District Democratic candidate for Congress and his campaign manager (the Republican candidate declined to respond to the repeated invitations to speak with the teens) to discuss the importance of youth engagement in the elections and provide an inside look at a campaign. From there, the group was trained in non-partisan election work, and teams of teens and staff went out into the community to canvass.

Take Action: Pursue Justice This Election Season

Join JCUA in a local non-partisan effort in the upcoming 2012 Elections that crosses ethnic, racial and religious lines, transforming community relationships and advancing a social justice agenda.

We are already in action working to increase immigrant voting power in Chicago’s North Shore communities, focusing on Highland Park and Highwood. Immigrants have been increasing in great numbers in Chicago’s northern suburbs. However, even with this growth, immigrants are not proportionally represented as leaders, elected officials or in other positions of power. Immigrant issues are many times not supported or even heard by current leaders.

In partnership with Fenix Family Health Center, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, and the Jewish Social Justice Roundtable, we are taking an active role to ensure that our government truly represents ALL members of our society.

We can’t do it without you. Get involved in the upcoming elections with JCUA, so you can have a meaningful impact: