May we all strive to bring about a more just and compassionate society

Rosh HaShannah, 5771

“It is not your obligation to complete the task,

but neither are you at liberty to desist from it entirely…”

We wish you a very Happy, Healthy, and Fulfilling New Year! As we begin 5771, we ask that you consider a donation of any size to JALSA as part of your personal commitment to bring about a more just and compassionate society. Join with JALSA to protect our civil liberties and constitutional rights – including tolerance and acceptance for all of America’s diverse religions – and to fight for social and economic justice in housing, health care, the environment, employment and so many other areas in which we face increasing challenges. With a donation, you can combine your strength with JALSA’s strong progressive voice, so that we continue to represent your views and values at the State House, in the courts, in the press, within the Jewish community and the community at-large.

Andrew Fischer, President                                                Sheila Decter, Executive Director

and the staff and leadership of the

Jewish Alliance for Law & Social Action

Support JALSA as We Begin the New Year

Click on Donate:

Click Here to see The Nation article

Click Here to see the Build Clean Energy Report studying each U.S. state.

Upcoming Events (Details of each event at Read More and on our Environmental Justice Task Force page):

JALSA Program:  Friday; October 29:  12:30-1:30PM  First Friday Speaker Edith Murnane, First Ever Boston Food Policy Director JALSA Office.  RSVP jalsaoffice@gmail.com

JALSA Program: Friday, November 12: 12:30-1:30. First Friday Speaker Gus Schumacher, chairman of Wholesome Wavy speaking on “Prescription Vegetables” JALSA Office.  RSVP jalsaoffice@gmail.com

Community Events:

Saturday, Sept.25, 10AM-2PM. Codman Square Energy Fair. Second Church in Dorchester, 600 Washington Street.  If  you have green information, products or services write to otoney@juno.com

Wednesday, Sept. 29, 6-8PM, Film and Panel Discussion on “Food Sustainability”. Suffolk University Sustainability Program,.  Suffolk University, Amenities Conference Room, 73 Tremont.

Thursday, October 7: 1-2:30PM, “Exploring the effects of the Gulf Oil Spill”, Suffolk University. Munce Conference Room, Archer Building, 20 Derne Street. Lunch will be provided.  Sign up by Oct 1.to greensuffolku@gmail.com

Oct. 29, JALSA Speaker Edith Murnane, Boston Food Policy Director
You may have seen in our previous e-mails that there has been an exciting set of reforms in Massachusetts recently, focusing on creating a more equitable and sustainable food system.   Among the most exciting of these reforms was the passage of the Massachusetts School Nutrition Bill, and Mayor Menino’s creation of a city “Director of Food Initiatives.”

As the state moves forward in implementing these new policies and structures, JALSA is proud to host Edith Murnane, the brand new Boston Director of Food Initiatives.  Ms. Murnane began her career as a chef in Boston who championed urban farming, and went on to serve as Manager for Sustainable Food Programs at Community Servings, a home-delivery hot meals program serving the home-bound with life-threatening diseases, (that JALSA leaders initiated many years ago).

Ms. Murnane will be speaking about her plans for the new position, particularly how her work will be affected by the newly passed School Nutrition Bill and Food Policy Council Bill.  We encourage you to come join this important discussion.

Friday, October 29, 12:30-1:30pm.  Please feel free to bring lunch.
The JALSA Office.
18 Tremont Street, Suite 320
Boston, MA 02108
We expect this to be a popular event.  To save your seat, RSVP to jalsaoffice@gmail.com

Nov. 12, JALSA Speaker, Gus Schumacher

JALSA is pleased to host another innovative leader in the healthy, sustainable food movement.  Gus Schumacher, chairman of Wholesome Wave, is a leader in the “prescription vegetables” movement.

This innovative pilot program will enable doctors at three health centers in Massachusetts to treat families struggling with health and obesity, by writing “prescriptions” that can be used at local farmers markets to buy fruits and vegetables to feed their families.  By providing coupons that can purchase food at Farmers Markets and other outlets, the program is designed to close the gap between healthy local food and fast-food dollar menus, promoting both health, sustainable farming practices and local economies.  Join us to hear Gus speak about this innovative new pilot program that could be a model for the whole country.

Click here to see an New York Times article about Prescription Vegetables and Gus Schumacher

Friday, November 12,   12:30-2pm.
Please feel free to bring lunch.
JALSA Office; 18 Tremont Street, Suite 320; Boston, MA 02108

We expect this event to be very popular.  Save your seat by emailing jalsaoffice@gmail.com

Sept. 29; Codman Square Energy Fair

Food! Fun! Music! Children’s Activities! GREEN Workshops! Free Stuff!  Learn how you can save money by fighting climate change by saving energy at home and having FUN while you do it!

Do you have GREEN information, products or services? Then contact Owen at the Green Neighbors at 617-427-6293 or otoney@juno.com

Saturday, September 25,  10:00 am-2:00 pm
Hosted at the Second Church in Dorchester.
Rev. Dr. Victor Price, Pastor.
600 Washington Street
In the Codman Square section of Dorchester.
(The big white church in Codman Square.)

Sponsored by the Green Neighbors Education Committee.
Co-Sponsored by some of your favorite greater Codman Square area organizations: The Second Church in Dorchester, The Community Improvement Association (CIA), Unity Sports and Cultural Club, The B.O.L.D. Teens, The Codman Square Neighborhood Council, The Dorchester YMCA, The Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation, The Greater Four Corners Action Coalition, The Blue Hill Boys & Girls Club, The Codman Square Health Center, The Perkins Community Center, The Talbot-Norfolk-Triangle Neighbors United, The Codman Square Health Center, and The City of Boston Office of Environmental & Energy Services

Sept. 29; 6PM; Suffolk Univ.Program on Food Sustainability

The Role You Can Play in the Sustainable Food Movement.
Organized by Suffolk University sustainability program.  Special invitation to JALSA members by Suffolk Sustainability Coordinator and  JALSA Environmental Justice Committee Co-Chair, Erica Mattison.
Come learn about the sustainable food movement.  We will show an inspiring documentary and have a panel on hand to take part in a conversation about local food efforts.

Wednesday, September 29, 6-8pm; Location: 73 Tremont Street, Amenities Conference Room, Suffolk University.
Stay tuned for information about the panelists.
Email recycle@suffolk.edu for more information.

Oct 7; 1-2:30 PM; Suffolk Univ.Program on the Gulf Oil Spill

Hear a first-hand account of the effects of the Gulf Oil Spill
Hosted by the Environmental Studies and Environmental Science Program at Suffolk University.  Special invitation to JALSA members by Suffolk Sustainability Coordinator and  JALSA Environmental Justice Committee Co-Chair, Erica Mattison
Suffolk University adjunct professor Ken Finkelstein will discuss his experience in responding to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill along the Gulf of Mexico coastline. Ken is an employee of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and spent 4 weeks in Louisiana and Alabama assessing oil coverage and injury to the shoreline. The presentation will include a liberal use of photographs and web sites that will allow the audience to learn of the nature and extent of the oiling. Much of the presentation are his personal views and may not reflect NOAA’s final scientific judgment. No recording – oral or video – is permitted.
Time: 1-2:30pm; Munce Conference Room, 1st Floor, Archer Building, 20 Derne Street, Beacon Hill; Lunch will be provided.  To sign up to attend, email greensuffolku@gmail.com by October 1.

Look at this video of a Brownshirt-like responses at “No Mosque Here” rally: http://www.balloon-juice.com/2010/08/22/black-muslim-same-difference/

See our JALSA statement on controversy around Muslim community center planned for lower Manhattan and links to articles of special merit.

Two important relief drives we call to your attention:

American Jewish World Service and Joint Distribution Committee:
AJWS has been working in Pakistan since the 2005 earthquake. With five trusted grantee partners on the ground they are well-positioned to respond to this latest crisis.

AJWS grantee partners in Pakistan are saving lives by mobilizing emergency support for victims of the flooding and helping to prevent the spread of disease. They are erecting temporary shelters for those whose homes have been destroyed, facilitating access to clean drinking water in government relief camps and working with local and national government authorities to expedite the relief process. As a result of the 2005 earthquake, these organizations already have extensive experience in responding to disasters.

With your support today, AJWS will be able to fund the immediate distribution of Aid-Bags to affected families in the worst hit areas. These Aid-Bags contain essentials: food, water, pots, pans, clothing and other necessities that will sustain these families for a week to ten days. In the longer term they anticipate working with these groups to enable them to play a part in rebuilding their country.

To ensure their safety and wellbeing, AJWS does not list its Pakistan grantees on their website or publicize them by name.

AJWS  website to read more and donate

Joint Distribution Committee:
The American section of the Joint Distribution Committee has been an arm of the Jewish community responding to international disasters for many years.   The JDC has been on the ground in Pakistan since the hurricane of 2005.

Joint Distribution Committee history in Pakistan

To donate via the American Joint Distribution Committee

As the state moves forward in implementing these new policies and structures, JALSA is proud to host Edith Murnane, the brand new Boston Director of Food Initiatives.  Ms. Murnane began her career as a chef in Boston who championed urban farming, and went on to serve as Manager for Sustainable Food Programs at Community Servings, a home-delivery hot meal program serving the home-bound and ill, (that JALSA leaders initiated many years ago.).

Ms. Murnane will be speaking about her plans for the new position, particularly how her work will be affected by the newly passed School Nutrition Bill and Food Policy Council Bill.  We encourage you to come join this important discussion.

RSVP to jalsaoffice@gmail.com

Friday, October 29th, 12:30-1:30pm.
The JALSA Office.
18 Tremont Street, Suite 320
Boston, MA 02108