We are pleased to report that the JALSA posting and participation in the Feb 27 March from Copley Square (yes, Copley) to the Brigham Circle Stop and Shop in support of the Immokalee Workers was featured in the Feb. 21 Issue of Quick Picks for 20s and 30s.  Link is as follows: http://www.jewishboston.com/blogs/6-20s-30s

Governor issues Executive Order Adding Gender Identity and Expression to Groups Protectred by State’s Non-Discrimination Laws.   State Employees Now Covered by Non-Discrimination Protection.  Legislation still Needed to protect those working for private parties.

LETTER FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS TRANSGENDER POLITICAL COALITION.

Gunner Scott, Executive Director, MTPC

Earlier today, Gov. Deval Patrick signed an historic Executive Order that prohibits discrimination based on gender identity and expression in state employment. It applies to all state agencies in the Executive Branch, including executive offices, boards, commissions, agencies, and departments as well as businesses and organizations that contract with the Executive Branch.

Unfortunately, there are a number of people who need the protection offered by this executive order but who will not get it because they are not state employees. Transgender residents of the Commonwealth face pervasive job discrimination and workplace harassment. A study released earlier this month by the National Gay & Lesbian Task Force found that 76 percent of transgender respondents from Massachusetts were harassed or mistreated on the job, and 20 percent reported losing their jobs, because they are transgender. No one should have to live in fear that they can be legally fired for reasons that have nothing to do with their job performance. All hardworking people in our state, including transgender people, should have the opportunity to make a living and provide for themselves and their families.

The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition applauds Gov. Patrick’s decision to sign this Executive Order protecting the jobs of transgender state employees. This is not the first time Gov. Patrick has demonstrated his commitment to the community—he also streamlined process by which transgender men and women can get proper state IDs. We know that there are transgender individuals who are state employees and we celebrate the job security the Executive Order affords them. The Commonwealth is the largest employer in the state of Massachusetts. Gov. Patrick’s decision puts the state in line with other organizations that embrace transgender employees, and opens up numerous job opportunities for transgender residents of the Commonwealth. However, we realize that not everyone works for the State. Transgender people, like all people, have a wide variety of skills, professional experiences, and employment interests. Transgender individuals need equal protections under the law so that they are free to best utilize their skills and experiences, in a way that can only benefit the Commonwealth as a whole.

This Executive Order is a good first step toward that goal. But it’s up to lawmakers to do the rest. Please contact them and ask them to pass An Act Relative to Transgender Equal Rights. And please take a moment to thank Gov. Patrick for his historic move today to bring equality to transgender residents of the Commonwealth.

JALSA participated in an amicus brief in the 9th Circuit with several Armenian groups and genocide education groups supporting state reference to Armenian Genocide in a bill dealing with statute of limitations on insurance claims.  The plaintiffs had sued saying the state could not
reference the Armenian Genocide because the federal government had not recognized that event.  Lower courts and an earlier 9th Circuit review said the ambiguity of the federal government on recognition of the Armenian Genocide did not preempt use of that term in state legislation.              Movsesian v. Victoria Versicherung AG, et al

JALSA has participated with Armenian leaders in several court briefs and has supported the ability of students to study the Armenian Genocide.

For those of you who attended the MCAD (Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination) Legislative Breakfast Tuesday, in spite of the snow, THANK YOU for coming! For those of you who couldn’t make it, we’re sorry we missed you.  Attached please find a brief Newsletter with information about the MCAD – who leads the agency and how the agency carries out its important statutory mission of eradicating discrimination in the Commonwealth.

Hosted by Chairman, Julian T. Tynes and Commissioners Sunila Thomas-George and Jamie Williamson, they described the history of the agency that was founded in 1946 and its current missions. “Its statutory responsibility is to work for the public good of eliminating and preventing discrimination and to educate residents of the Commonwealth – businesses and individuals alike – with regard to their rights and duties under the Commonwealth’s anti-discrimination laws.” In 2010,  3308 cases were filed and there were a total of 5390 active cases. “Its staff investigates complaints of unlawful discrimination, offers mediation and conciliation to those involved in discrimination disputes, and prosecutes and adjudicates meritorious claims where conciliation efforts have failed.” In 2010, the highest number of cases were Disability (21.4%), Race, Color (19.1%), Sex (17.9%) , Retaliation (14.7%) and Age (12.0%). See the attached newsletter for more details.

MCAD Newsletter – page one …… MCAD Newsletter – page two

Thank you all for coming to Sunday’s Annual Meeting.  Wonderful to see everyone.  We thank everyone for their support.

Sheila Decter, Executive Director, JALSA

Several years ago, JALSA members helped to encourage adoption of a new state school curriculum requirement on Genocide.  The curriculum adopted by the Dept. of Education allowed teachers to select from a range of historical acts of genocide to meet the interests of different student populations.  A resource list of suggested materials was provided.   Teachers were left to their own discretion as to what materials within or outside of that list to use for the unit.   At the request of Turkish groups, materials were added to the Curriculum Resource list that denied the Armenian Holocaust.   Subsequently the Department of Education removed those materials.   A classroom (including teacher and parent) challenged the removal of those materials as censorship.

JALSA provided an amicus brief in that lawsuit arguing that the Dept. of Education had a right to determine what materials should be listed as reflecting the core curriculum. The establishment of the resource list did not prevent teachers and students from bringing in a range of materials to the classroom.   Lower federal courts agreed and now the U.S. Supreme Court has refused to take up the case; thus a victory for the position argued in the JALSA brief.

See: JALSA Victories for an earlier story on this issue.

Frank: Time Has Come for ‘Significant Reduction’ in Military Reach

Congressman says nation’s problems can’t be solved without cuts to defense budget.

By Peter Shanley | From the Brookline Patch; | January 17, 2011

Link to the original article

The United States needs to carry a smaller stick.

That was the message Rep. Barney Frank delivered to more than 125 people during the ninth annual Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action meeting at Temple Ohabei Shalom on Sunday.

“The time has come for a significant reduction in America’s worldwide military reach,” said Frank, a Democrat in his 16th term as representative for the Fourth Congressional District.

The United States is currently fighting two wars and supporting a Defense Department with a budget of approximately $660 billion in 2009. Without reductions in that spending, Frank said, the country will not have the resources it needs alleviate foreclosures, decrease unemployment and stimulate the economy.

“What we need to do is to reduce what we are trying to do,” the congressman said, referring to the military. “It is not enough to do better what we are now doing. We have to do less. I will be crusading for that.”

Frank argued that the U.S. military has had a habit of overextending itself, citing the war in Iraq and Marines stationed in Okinawa, Japan, as examples. He said Defense Secretary Robert Gates is just now considering removing troops from Okinawa.

“Most people thought the Marines left when John Wayne died,” said Frank. “They have no purpose.”

Despite his objection to having a large military footprint, Frank said he was not promoting isolationism; rather, the congressman wants efficacy in spending.

“If we intervene all over the world, and the intervention was morally useful, if it improved people’s lives, if it dawned democracy, I would be conflicted about saying we can’t afford it,” said Frank. “But in most cases, we do more harm than good.”

Frank asked those in the audience at Sunday’s meeting to urge their lawmakers to join him in pushing for military spending reform.

“Give my liberal colleagues the courage of their conviction that we have got to reduce military spending because it is a good thing in itself and it is a precondition to getting anything else done, and you’ve done a good day’s work,” Frank said.

Link

JALSA joined many throughout the country in a moment of silence Monday morning to mourn the dead in Arizona and to pray for healing for Rep. Gabby Giffords and others hurt in the attack this weekend.  Gabby has been widely known as the first Jewish elected congresswoman from Arizona.  That she had been targeted by the conservative right — including a listing on Sarah Palin’s “gun-sights” map had been clear.  That the young man held for the slayings seems to have been affiliated or at least enamoured with anti-Semitic literature and organizations also seems to be the case.

-Sheila Decter, Executive Director

JALSA – The Jewish Alliance for Law & Social Action
18 Tremont Street, Suite 320
Boston, MA  02108
phone: 617-227-3000

“Sad News:  We report the death of Debbie Friedman.  This spirited Jewish songwriter gave us beautiful songs these many years bringing many of our traditional prayers into new melodies for our synagogues, camps, and homes.  These beautiful melodies will be ours forever.

L’chi lach, Debbie, to a land that I will show you
Lech l’cha to a place you do not know
L’chi lach; on your journey I will bless you,
And you shall be a blessing,
you shall be a blessing,
You shall be a blessing lechi lach

Sheila Decter, Executive Director, JALSA

On Friday, Governor Patrick announced that Massachusetts would be participating in ICE’s Secure Communities Program.  Since Friday, JALSA has not yet had an opportunity for a Board discussion on the Governor’s action.  However, we did wish to share with you announcements that have been sent to our office by a number of our collegial organizations.
Sheila Decter, Dec. 21