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one conversation at a time
03/25/2021 03:58:26 PM
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Five members of Temple Israel and I assembled in our Zoom room, preparing for our conversation with our New York State Assembly Member, Sandra Galef. I was used to meeting with elected officials and their aides. Before I entered rabbinical school, I worked in the Washington State Senate and then as a legislative liaison for a public college. Since becoming a rabbi I kept up my advocacy. Every year I traveled with a group of teens to Washington D.C. so they could learn how to advocate for issues they care about. I also went to Albany each year with adults from Temple Israel and met with officials there.
Meetings like this were familiar to me, but not to all in our Zoom room. “I’m a little nervous,” said one participant. “I know,” said another. I also felt a little nervous, having never had a meeting with an elected official over Zoom.
We assembled to advocate on behalf of a parole reform bill called “Less is More.” The bill addresses the high number of people on parole who are incarcerated for technical violations of parole, like missing a curfew or a meeting with a parole officer because of work or child care obligations. This is a bill that disproportionally affects black people, so we saw it as an issue of racial justice. That is why we felt impelled to speak up on behalf of this reform. (For more information about this legislation, see my previous blog post.)
Sandra Galef appeared in our Zoom room and greeted us graciously. She listened to our presentation and offered supportive comments. At the end of our presentation, Mrs. Galef thanked us for bringing this legislation to her attention, and said that she would certainly support it. This was one of the most positive and gratifying meetings I’ve ever had with an elected official.
During the festival of Passover, we celebrate our freedom. But our freedom is meant to be used for a greater purpose. In our tradition, we are liberated from bondage to Pharaoh so that we are free to serve God: to be “a light unto the nations,” to pursue justice and protect the most vulnerable people in our communities.
Lest you think this is beyond your ability, think again. As our meeting with Sandra Galef showed, it is quite possible to pursue justice in small ways, one conversation at a time.
Thu, June 30 2022
1 Tammuz 5782
TINW Happenings
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Friday ,
JulJuly 8 , 2022
Friday, Jul 8th 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Families with young children are invited to join Cantor Lauren Fogelman and Rabbi Wendy Pein for Shabbat activities, songs, stories, crafts, schmoozing (socializing), dinner and TREATS outdoors, under the TINW portico. -
Tuesday ,
JulJuly 12 , 2022
Tuesday, Jul 12th 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Come one come all to TINW's Chess Club! This is a great opportunity for folks of all ages and chess levels to play and learn this game of strategy. -
Thursday ,
JulJuly 14 , 2022
Thursday, Jul 14th 6:00pm to 9:30pm
Every year Brotherhood hosts a BBQ which is open and free to all the men of Temple Israel. For many years we've rented the very special setting of Senasqua Park right on the Hudson River in beautiful Croton on Hudson. It's a wonderful event which affords everyone an opportunity to meet and converse with not just the men of Brotherhood but also many others who are part of Temple Israel. Free food, great conversation and a beautiful setting...what could be bad! Please join us for a really fun evening. It begins at 6pm and we provide all the food and beverages. -
Friday ,
AugAugust 12 , 2022
Friday, Aug 12th 5:00pm to 6:00pm
Events
Friday Night
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Share-a-Shabbat : 5:30pm |
: 7:00pm |
Candle Lighting : 8:14pm |
Shabbat Day
Torah Study : 9:30am |
Upcoming Programs & Events
Jul 1 |
Jul 5 Executive Board Meeting Tuesday, Jul 5 7:30pm |
Jul 5 |
Jul 7 Board of Trustees Meeting Thursday, Jul 7 7:30pm |
Jul 8 Shabbat Shabbang! Friday, Jul 8 5:00pm |
This week's Torah portion is Parashat Chukat
Shabbat, Jul 2 |
Candle Lighting
Friday, Jul 1, 8:14pm |
Fast of Tammuz
Sunday, Jul 17 |