Today is different: Your civic action to-do list for 6-1-20

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Every Monday for almost four years we have sent an email listing three important issues and corresponding actions you can take to effectuate change. Today is different. Centuries of bigotry and discrimination, systemic racism, and police brutality have led us to this moment.  Meanwhile a virus is attacking all of us — but in the United States it is disproportionately Black Americans who are bearing the brunt of the illness, the joblessness, the housing insecurity, and the death. And, in less than a week we have witnessed the lynching of Ahmaud Arbery, Amy Cooper’s racist threats, and the killing of George Floyd by those sworn to protect and serve. The anger and pain are almost unbearable. Protestors are risking their lives to stand up for the rights of Black Americans to live and thrive. It is up to each of us to join them in whatever way we can — to support their message and work.As an organization that works every day to end violence and promote equality, we will not remain silent. As Jews we are committed, and have always been committed, to dismantling hate and white supremacy. As Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel said before marching with Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., the struggle for civil rights is a “test of our integrity” as Jews.JWI has long been in this fight. Now, we vow to redouble our work to confront systemic violence and racism. We are building alliances with other change-makers so we can work harder and smarter to dismantle inequality and make safety, education, opportunity, and justice accessible to all.We can come together as a community to learn more about racism and how to be effective allies; to listen to Black Americans who are most impacted by violence and prejudice; and to stand with those doing the difficult but vital work supporting protestors and dismantling oppressive systems.

Action AlertDanielle Cantor