October Newsletter
NCJW|LA is partnering with Bend the Arc Southern California, Ikar, and TIOH for a symbolic Jewish ritual to conclude the initial mourning period of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing. Join us on Friday, October 2 from 12pm-1pm as we Circle the Courthouse to honor Ruth’s legacy as the first Jewish woman to serve on the US Supreme Court.
Ruth’s Revolution: Circle the Courthouse | Date: Friday, Oct 2, 2020 | 12pm-1pm
Meeting Point: Grand Park at the top of the steps near 145 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
As we welcome in October, we are reminded once again how many of our fellow friends, neighbors, community members are in dire need of a helping hand. As the economic shutdown continues, many remain without jobs or the ability to restart their businesses, unable to support themselves or their families financially. With the eviction moratorium lift looming, we are asking for your continued support of our Rental Assistance Programs to help keep our Los Angeles community housed. Your generous donation will go towards reinforcing our goal to support those most affected by the effects of COVID.
NCJW|LA Advocacy and the Election
Our monthly Advocacy Working Group meetings are NOW ONLINE and held on the 3rd Friday of each month from 2:00pm-3:15pm. During our next meeting on Friday, October 23, we will discuss the 2020 election, recap on the ballot propositions, local measures and other Get Out to Vote Actions.
These monthly meetings are a space for community members, leaders, and advocates to learn, plan, and reimagine what is possible WHEN communities join forces and advocate for the issues impacting those most in need. NCJW|LA is an open and safe place; we encourage, and welcome, and celebrate diversity and inclusivity at our meetings.
Do your homework before you vote using the California Voter Guide. Review nonpartisan information, campaign finance reports, endorsement lists, and ballot measure pros and cons.
You can also get information on:
• Candidates, measures, and who supports them.
• Keep track of your choices and use them to vote.
• Register to vote by October 19 to vote in the Tuesday, November 3 General Election
• How to check your registration status
• How to get voting materials in a language other than English and much more!
National Council of Jewish Women-California is partnering with Vote Forward to write personalized letters to folks in underrepresented communities, who do not always make it to the polls, urging them to vote. The letters will be sent just before the November election. In other recent elections, voters who received these letters were significantly more likely to vote. The goal is to reach 10 million registered and possible voters.
Sending a Vote Forward letter is one of the easiest things you can do to increase election turnout. It only takes a couple of minutes and a stamp to meaningfully increase the odds that a fellow citizen will vote.
The COVID-19 crisis has put a spotlight on how over 40 years of under-funding of public services have hurt communities across California. Despite the state, counties, cities, and school boards allocating emergency funding to meet the immediate needs of our communities, the crisis has put a strain on public services already struggling from big corporations not paying their fair share in taxes.
Proposition 15: The Schools & Communities First Funding Act will close the corporate tax loopholes, and reclaim $10-12 billion a year—funding that will build stronger communities and go toward hospitals, schools, first responders, and all the vital services we’re relying on to get us through this crisis – and beyond.
GET INVOLVED TODAY!
Volunteer to help pass School & Communities First by phone banking and letter writing.
Click Here To learn about phone banking and to register
Click Here to learn about letter writing and to register
NCJW|LA is a proud supporter of Yes on Prop15
NCJW|LA's October Spotlight
What do you wish other people knew about NCJW|LA?
I would love for people to recognize and understand the scope of the programs we offer, and the advocacy work we do beyond the Thrift Shops. People tend to not make a connection between the stores and the important advocacy of NCJW|LA.
Tell us why you are a passionate advocate for Fair Labor?
I have been an activist for a long time but was not able to truly follow my wishes. I have a Master's in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell but there were not a lot of positions in that field, so I went into Human Resources. I always wanted to be proactively helping the community but 20 years in HR did not fulfill that for me. I always considered my father a progressive individual, a humanist, supporter of just causes and that got me interested initially. As I get older, I am more of a feminist and activist and NJCW|LA has provided an outlet for me to explore those passions.
What do you do outside of NCJW|LA?
I serve on the Public Facilities Commission for the City of West Hollywood -- we review plans for parks, libraries, and this year, we instituted a Green City Award to encourage individuals and businesses to submit entries for renewable energy projects within the City.
For the past 18 years, I have run my own dog training business: The Well-Heeled Dog. I volunteered for Pets for Vets to help match trained shelter dogs with veterans who are dealing with PTSD. I trained two dogs who are still with their veterans -- both have been helped tremendously by the relationship. I loved being able to use my skills for something so important.