Dozens of congregations and organizations across Maryland are participating in Youth Justice Shabbat and Solidarity Week to engage in collective conversations about Jewish texts, how they connect to youth justice, and the ways we can build a more just and safe Maryland for children and adults alike.
Jewish sacred texts teach us that the world was created with both justice and mercy. Here in Maryland, children who are charged with certain crimes are sentenced as if they were adults. That is neither just nor merciful. Join JUFJ's youth justice working group as we discuss the campaign to pass the Youth Equity and Safety (YES) Act.
If you are submitting written testimony this legislative session, join us for this writing power hour on Zoom. Testimony writers of all experience levels are all welcome!
As we head into an election year full of tension and controversy, it can feel like our voices aren’t always heard or meaningful. One of the most effective ways to have a real impact is making change at the local level though, right here in our city. Join us over brunch for an interactive workshop. We’ll learn about the structure and function of the DC government and concrete ways each of us can engage with local government officials to make real change for the lives of our families, friends, and neighbors.
JUFJ is joining our partners from the Silver Spring Justice Coalition at the County Council Building in Rockville to mobilize against Bill 43-23, which would codify the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT). This harmful bill would open the door for a more pervasive police response to crises that involve mental health, behavioral health, and substance use disorder. Join us in person to help hold the joint Public Safety and Health and Human Services committees accountable as they deliberate on the bill.
Join other District 14 JUFJers in a Zoom meeting with our state legislators to discuss our agenda for the 2024 Maryland General Assembly Session.
Jewish sacred texts declare that destroying even one life is akin to destroying a whole world. But here in Montgomery County, lives are destroyed every day, especially Black and brown lives, by our system of policing. Join us for our next team meeting to discuss ongoing campaigns to transform public safety in our County.
If you are submitting written testimony this legislative session, join us for this writing power hour on Zoom. Testimony writers of all experience levels are all welcome!
Join other District 40 JUFJers in a Zoom meeting with Senator Antonio Hayes and Delegate Melissa Wells to discuss our agenda for the 2024 Maryland General Assembly Session.
All of us deserve a life with dignity, respect, and safety. But here in Maryland, conservative millionaires and billionaires like David Smith think they can bully state legislators and the Governor into treating Black and brown kids as criminals so they can further their reactionary agenda of returning to failed “tough on crime” policies of mass incarceration and undermining trust in government. Join us in Annapolis for the House Judiciary Committee hearing in order to defend against HB814, and help guarantee the rights and equity of children in the court and policing systems.
All people have a right to be safe and to thrive, regardless of immigration status. Join us in Annapolis or on Zoom for the House Health and Government Operations Committee hearing on HB728, which will help ensure that all Marylanders, regardless of immigration status, have access to healthcare.
All of us deserve a life with dignity, respect, and safety. But here in Maryland, conservative millionaires and billionaires like David Smith think they can bully state legislators and the Governor into treating Black and brown kids as criminals so they can further their reactionary agenda of returning to failed “tough on crime” policies of mass incarceration and undermining trust in government. Join us in Annapolis for the House Judiciary Committee hearing in order to defend against SB0744, and help guarantee the rights and equity of children in the court and policing systems.
All of us deserve a life with dignity, respect, and safety. But here in Maryland, conservative millionaires and billionaires like David Smith think they can bully state legislators and the Governor into treating Black and brown kids as criminals so they can further their reactionary agenda of returning to failed “tough on crime” policies of mass incarceration and undermining trust in government. Join us in Annapolis for the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee hearing in order to defend against SB52 and SB120, and help guarantee the rights and equity of children in the court and policing systems.
Jewish sacred texts recognize that having safe, stable housing is key to a healthy society, and we know that it is key to reducing racial inequities. Join us in Annapolis or on Zoom for the House Environment and Transportation Committee hearing on HB477, which will help guarantee renters' rights to just cause eviction practices.
Jewish tradition teaches that in a just world, all people would have what the Torah calls dei machsoro, resources sufficient for their needs. A city budget reflects the priorities and promises of city officials much better than their words. Here in DC, the city’s resources are abundant, but they are not allocated equitably so that everyone benefits. In this workshop we will learn about the DC budget process, past victories for social justice won through budget campaigns, and what you can do right now to ensure that next year’s budget reflects the Jewish social justice values that many of us share.
Jewish sacred texts teach us that the world was created with both justice and mercy. Here in Maryland, children who are charged with certain crimes are sentenced as if they were adults. That is neither just nor merciful. Join JUFJ's youth justice working group as we discuss the campaign to pass the Youth Equity and Safety (YES) Act.
If you are submitting written testimony this legislative session, join us for this writing power hour on Zoom. Testimony writers of all experience levels are all welcome!
Jewish sacred texts recognize that having safe, stable housing is key to a healthy society, and we know that it is key to reducing racial inequities. Join us on Zoom for the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee hearing on SB0644, which will help guarantee renters' rights to just cause eviction practices.
All of us deserve a life with dignity, respect, and safety. But here in Maryland, a grave injustice is being done to children. Jewish tradition teaches that the Divine encompasses both justice and mercy. But right now, Maryland sends more young people to adult court based on offense type, per capita, than any other state except for Alabama. Now there are active attempts to move us backward rather than forward, as new bills have now been submitted in the state legislature to roll back protections in the Child Interrogation Protection Act and the Juvenile Justice Reform Act. Please join Jews United for Justice, Tikvat Israel, Am Kolel, and Kehila Chadasha on Sunday February 18 from 2-4 PM for a presentation on these issues by Stephanie Joseph, a Maryland Public Defender and member of Kehila Chadasha. After we hear from Stephanie there will be time to take action together.
Join other District 15 JUFJers in a Zoom meeting with Senator Brian Feldman and Delegates Linda Foley, David Fraser-Hidalgo, and Lily Qi to discuss our legislative priorities for the 2024 Maryland General Assembly Session.
We're joining the ACLU of Maryland and other partners to push for equitable children’s rights policies in Maryland. We'll begin with an orientation/dinner, then hold a rally at Lawyers Mall, and conclude with constituent meetings with our elected representatives in their offices!
Research shows that simply providing statistics around an issue is not enough to move people to make change; personal stories and connecting the issue to real people’s lives is a necessary component. Sharing our stories with those in power is one of the best ways to move the needle on social justice issues we care about. One of the most effective ways to do this is to testify before the DC Council. Hearing the stories and personal narratives of constituents helps move elected officials to take action on the issues that really matter. In this workshop we will learn how to create powerful written testimony based on your personal story and values. We’ll practice connecting our stories to specific issues that are before the DC Council and get people ready to testify for just change.
Jewish tradition teaches that in a just world, all people — regardless of race, income, or zip code — would have what the Torah calls dei machsoro, resources sufficient for their needs. Join JUFJ's Fair Share for Maryland Working Group as we work to pass the Fair Share for Maryland Plan so corporations and the wealthiest pay their fair share.
Jewish tradition teaches that in a just world, all people — regardless of race, income, or zip code — would have what the Torah calls dei machsoro, resources sufficient for their needs. But here in Maryland, giant corporations and the very rich are hoarding so much wealth that many Black and brown Marylanders can’t afford housing, food, or childcare. We need to come together again to say that it’s time for everyone’s needs to be met, and for the wealthiest to pay their fair share. Join us in Annapolis or on Zoom for the Senate Budget & Taxation Committee hearing on SB0766, which will help create a more equitable tax plan.
Everyone in DC should have what the Torah calls dei machsoro, resources sufficient to meet their needs. Join our Economic Justice Working Group meeting on Zoom or in person to discuss our current campaigns, and how we are working with our partners to build a DC where everyone can live and thrive.
Jewish tradition teaches that in a just world, all people — regardless of race, income, or zip code — would have what the Torah calls dei machsoro, resources sufficient for their needs. But here in Maryland, giant corporations and the very rich are hoarding so much wealth that many Black and brown Marylanders can’t afford housing, food, or childcare. We need to come together again to say that it’s time for everyone’s needs to be met, and for the wealthiest to pay their fair share. Join us in Annapolis or on Zoom for the House Ways and Means Committee hearing on HB1007, which will help create a more equitable tax plan.
Jewish sacred texts recognize that having safe, stable housing is key to a healthy society. Join us for our next Montgomery County Housing Team meeting to get updates about our ongoing campaigns, learn some organizing skills, and take action together.
Jewish tradition teaches that in a just world, all people — regardless of race, income, or zip code — would have what the Torah calls dei machsoro, resources sufficient for their needs. Join JUFJ's Fair Share for Maryland Working Group as we work to pass the Fair Share for Maryland Plan so corporations and the wealthiest pay their fair share.
Jewish sacred texts teach us that the world was created with both justice and mercy. Here in Maryland, children who are charged with certain crimes are sentenced as if they were adults. That is neither just nor merciful. Join JUFJ's youth justice working group as we discuss the campaign to pass the Youth Equity and Safety (YES) Act.
Jewish sacred texts recognize that having safe, stable housing is key to a healthy society. Join our Housing Security Working Group meeting on Zoom to discuss our current campaigns, and how we are working with our partners to ensure that everyone in DC has a safe, stable, affordable place to live.
Join other District 21 JUFJers in a Zoom meeting with Delegate Ben Barnes to discuss our agenda for the 2024 Maryland General Assembly Session.
Protecting children's rights, police accountability, voting rights... Join CJSJ to learn about what we are working on in Annapolis and how you can join the fight.
Join other District 17 JUFJers in a Zoom meeting with Delegates Julie Palakovich Carr, Ryan Spiegel, and Joe Vogel to discuss our agenda for the 2024 Maryland General Assembly Session.
