NCJW Advocacy Wrap-Up:

Friday, July 21, 2023

In this issue...



Support the Afghan Adjustment Act: Send a Message to Congress

Ensure Legal Protection for Gender Equality

Join CLUE Fight for Hotel Workers & Housing Justice

Commemorate Tisha b’Av with OCJCR – July 30

We Won Child Care Family Fee Reform!

Write Letters to Virginia with Vote Forward

Support the Afghan Adjustment Act

Send a Message to Congress

It’s been nearly two years since tens of thousands of Afghans were evacuated to the United States following the U.S. military’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. Many of the evacuees are people who worked alongside American forces and U.S.-based humanitarian organizations.



But most of them are still in the U.S. on “parole” — a precarious status of legal limbo that makes their lives in a new country exceptionally difficult, with no clear pathway to permanent residency. 

This is unacceptable. If passed, the Afghan Adjustment Act will:

• Allow Afghans who were previously granted temporary humanitarian parole to apply for legal permanent residence, giving them the opportunity to rebuild their lives in safety, knowing their immigration status is secure;

• Allow evacuees –– including human rights advocates, educators, interpreters, and others who worked alongside U.S. forces and U.S.-based humanitarian organizations –– to avoid lengthy legal processes that unnecessarily burden them and the already stressed asylum system; and

• End needless uncertainty and allow individuals still in danger in Afghanistan to reunite with children, spouses, and parents in the U.S.

It’s bipartisan, and it’s common sense — but your legislators need to hear from you today.

Please contact your members of Congress and urge them to support the Afghan Adjustment Act now –– we cannot wait any longer. Your legislators need to hear from you today — this quick action only takes a minute! 

Ensure Legal Protection for Gender Equality

The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was first introduced 100 years ago today, yet constitutional gender equality under the law remains elusive. The ERA, if passed, would become the 28th amendment and establish constitutional gender equality as a national priority.

At a time when women and LGBTQ+ people are under attack in state houses, Congress, and the courts, the ERA would shield existing rights and expand protections and liberties for all women, girls, and other marginalized genders.

And because of Representative Ayanna Pressley’s discharge petition to force a House vote, the ERA could be up for a vote soon! As of 10:00 am this morning, the petition has already garnered an impressive 138 signatures! Help us get to the required 218 by contacting your Representative and letting them know equality can not wait.

Join CLUE Fight

for Hotel Workers & Housing Justice

Thursday, July 27, 5:30-7 pm

425 Atlantic Avenue

Long Beach

The hotel workers are going strong in their fight for dignity and living wages. There have been two strike waves across LA and Orange Counties. Each strike wave includes several hotels. The third strike wave has just begun with hotels in Hollywood, West Hollywood, Pasadena, Glendale, and San Pedro. There have been no strikes from Long Beach hotels yet. However, be ready to support the strike when it comes to our area! There are many ways to stand in solidarity with the striking workers. Below are some examples:  

      + Join the picket line & organize a group of your congregation members/family/friends in advance to join with you

      + Prepare a fund to buy food, snacks, and water for the workers

      + Pray for the workers on the picket line (many have asked for and appreciated individual blessings)

      + Share your gift of music and creativity to make resistance a party! Here is a video of what a picket line looks like at different hotels.

      + Invite a CLUE organizer to speak at your worship service 

      Also, if you will, here is the link you may use to support a worker in crisis named Thomas, who was retaliated against for refusing to break the strike. 

CLUE is a part of the Housing Justice Coalition. They are advocating for $2.9 million for the right to counsel in the city's budget next year. This funding would provide free legal representation for renters facing harassment and eviction threats from landlords to fight their cases. The city's budget hearing will come up soon in the next couple of months. Stay tuned to learn how you can advocate for this important funding for Long Beach! 

There will be a Neighborhood Tenant Council meeting next Thursday, July 27th, from 5:30 – 7 pm, to provide training for community members on their renters' rights and how to fight against illegal threats from landlords.

Join OCJCR in Commemorating Tisha b’Av: Beyond Borders

Sunday, July 30, 10 am

Congregation Shir ha-Ma’alot, Irvine

Please join Orange County Jewish Coalition for Refugees for their annual Tisha b'Av event on Sunday July 30 at 10 am. Rabbi Marcia Tilchin, of the Jewish Collaborative of Orange County, will lead the program which will be hosted at Congregation Shir ha-Ma'alot, 3652 Michelson Drive, Irvine, CA 92612.

On Tisha b'Av, we reflect on the losses Jews have suffered as a persecuted and displaced people many times over. We honor our obligation to help and connect with people who suffer similar losses today, and seek refuge at our borders. 

Join OCJCR for an introspective program to mourn, to heed the call to Welcome the Stranger, and to put our pain to purpose and our words to action.

Two individuals who fled the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and are now rebuilding their lives in Orange County will share their experiences leaving Afghanistan, their long journey to the U.S., and their new lives in Southern California.

Click here to RSVP and for more information.

We Won Childcare Family Fee Reform!

We wanted to share with you this 

ENORMOUS victory for women, children, and families! 

Following the leadership of Parent Voices, the Child Care Law Center, and others, NCJW has lobbied for child care reform for several years. What’s particularly exciting about this win, is that it is based on an alliance between parents and child care workers and recognizes the need to both reduce family fees for child care and ensure that child care providers are paid fairly. In the context of a serious budget shortfall this year, the victory is even more incredible. Click here to read the incredible news shared by Parent Voices San Francisco.

Thanks to all of you who lobbied, wrote letters, called and sent emails to the Legislature and the Governor!

Sometimes the good guys DO win.

Sincerely,

Barbara Baran and Claire Lipschultz

California State Policy Advocates

National Council of Jewish Women CA

Write Letters to Virginia with Vote Forward

Every seat in the VA General Assembly is up for election this year, so NCJW is joining Vote Forward to encourage voters to cast their ballots and make sure their voices are heard.

You can start writing now.  Keep your completed letters in a safe place, and put them in the mail any time between October 1 and 31. Why? Because we'd like to reach voters who are more likely to vote early or vote by mail! Don't worry—there will be a reminder when the mail window is approaching.

Already signed up with Vote Forward to write letters?  Then you know what to do.  If you’re not signed up, NCJW GLB & WOC can get you signed up or provide you with addresses and materials to write your letters.  Contact Deb Lelchuk at advocacy@ncjwlongbeach.org to get started.

Don’t forget stamps have gone from 63 cents to 66 cents!

Need some inspiration about what to write in your letter? Check out our personal story guide to help craft your handwritten message. 

Questions about anything you have read or related to our Section’s advocacy? Email advocacy@ncjwlongbeach.org.