Immigrant Justice Work
Immigrant Justice Work
Solidarity with Immigrants
CDT and our members are supporting Immigrant Justice in many ways.
Two years ago, we were a founding member of the Newton Sanctuary and Solidarity Collaborative (NSSC). For a year and a half, we supported a family being hosted by the NSSC in a Newton Church - primarily by joining in as volunteer companions, being present in the space to be a support to the family as needed, and if ICE showed up. In June, the family left sanctuary, and we are determining next steps in action together.
CDT members are also active in the Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network (BIJAN) offering support to undocumented people in a variety of ways: working a hotline where immigrants in detention can call for help; accompanying undocumented people to court appointments; raising money to bond people out of detention; providing transportation; showing up at vigils and rallies; and providing housing.
BIJAN works closely with immigrant communitities and immigrant-led organizations. CDT also supports policy efforts that seek to improve things for all immigrants.
Upcoming Action
SAVE the DATE: CDT, with participation by Reservoir Church in Cambridge, will lead a prayer vigil at the Suffolk County House of Corrections on Sunday, October 27, 2019 from 2-3pm. We'll gather to sing, chant, testify, pray and raise our voices in support of ICE detainees. This monthly gathering, sponsored by Massachusetts Communities Action Network (MCAN), draws together different faith traditions to stand up for immigrants' rights. Our presence will remind ICE detainees that they are not alone or forgotten. We hope you can join us! For more information, please contact Bonnie Tenneriello.
For more information about CDT's Immigrant Justice efforts, contact Stacy Chacker (chacsjc@gmail.com)
Meanwhile, there are many opportunities to support immigrants that do not necessarily require a sustained or time-intensive commitment. These include:
Please reach out to any of us if you have questions or concerns.
Wishing justice for immigrants in 5780 (2019-2020),
Stacey Chacker, chacsjc@gmail.com
Sandy Goodman, sandragon4@gmail.com
Danielle Klainberg, danielleklainberg@gmail.com
Bonnie Tenneriello, bonniet4@gmail.com
Major immigrants’ rights groups, communities of faith (including the Newton sanctuary cluster), and others have joined in the Boston Cluster Network to offer support to undocumented people, from accompanying them to court appointments to helping with transportation to showing up at vigils and rallies. You can sign up to be part of this effort, indicating what type of support you are available to provide, at this link. (Please indicate that you are a CDT and/or Newton cluster member). Contact Bonnie if you have trouble signing up: bonniet4@gmail.com.If you happen to be an attorney with an interest in taking on an immigration case, but without expertise in immigration law, CDT member Bob Warren, an immigration attorney, has offered to provide mentorship on immigration cases. You can indicate your interest when you sign up for the Boston Cluster (see above) and contact Bob, rmwarren53@gmail.com. Bob is also looking for therapists to do evaluations of immigration clients.
We can support policy changes that will improve things for all immigrants. Currently, our focus is helping to get the Safe Communities’ Act passed in the Massachusetts legislature. The Safe Communities Act would protect the civil rights, safety and well-being of all residents by drawing a clear line between immigration enforcement and public safety. Sponsored by State Sen. Jamie Eldridge (S.1305) and State Rep. Juana Matías (H.3269), it ensures that our tax dollars are not used to help the Trump administration deport immigrant families or create a Muslim registry.
Immediate ways to help:
- Click here to email your legislators and the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition’s (MIRA) campaign.
- Join MIRA’s text alert. Text to 52886, and put in SAFEMA. You will get a link asking for more information. You will then get action alerts tailored to you when specific action is needed with your legislators.
Future steps will include (when notified by MIRA re: timing)
- A push to get CDT members to call their MA legislators.
- Op-Eds or Letters to the Editor.
- If you are interested in helping to make calls to CDT members and/or writing a Letter to the Editor, please email Stacey Chacker at chacsjc@gmail.com.
Finally, save April 4, 2018 for MIRA’s Lobby Day at the State House.
Although we discussed the possibility of working on refugee issues at our October meeting, we have decided to focus our group’s efforts on undocumented immigrants, given the urgency of the crisis. However, folks who wish to support refugee efforts can get involved with the International Institute of New England by signing up for a volunteer orientation on the IINE website ; by emailing the IINE’s Director of Partner engagement, Cheryl Hamilton, chamilton@iine.org; or joining the Needham Immigration Task Force in its refugee resettlement efforts, by contacting Jessica Day, jessicaday257@yahoo.com.
Tue, January 19 2021
6 Shevat 5781
Upcoming Events
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Wednesday ,
JanJanuary 20 , 2021Torah Study
Wednesday, Jan 20th 8:00a to 9:00a
Start your Wednesday mornings with Torah Study! Join Director of Congregational Learning Earnest Vener for a weekly hour-long study of the weekly Torah portion on Wednesdays at 8am. You are welcome to drop in or come weekly. All are welcome and no prior knowledge is required. Please email Earnest at e.vener@dorsheitzedek.org with any questions. -
Thursday ,
JanJanuary 21 , 2021
Thursday, Jan 21st 7:30p to 9:00p
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Saturday ,
JanJanuary 23 , 2021
Shabbat, Jan 23rd 10:00a to 12:00p
All are welcome to celebrate Shabbat with members of CDT leading song, prayer, and Torah study, from 10:00am-11:30am. -
Sunday ,
JanJanuary 24 , 2021Nitzanim/Gan
Sunday, Jan 24th 9:00a to 9:50a
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Sunday ,
JanJanuary 24 , 2021
Sunday, Jan 24th 12:30p to 5:00p
Join this Virtual Day of Learning with Reconstructing Judaism, including a panel discussion with Rabbi Toba. -
Wednesday ,
JanJanuary 27 , 2021Torah Study
Wednesday, Jan 27th 8:00a to 9:00a
Start your Wednesday mornings with Torah Study! Join Director of Congregational Learning Earnest Vener for a weekly hour-long study of the weekly Torah portion on Wednesdays at 8am. You are welcome to drop in or come weekly. All are welcome and no prior knowledge is required. Please email Earnest at e.vener@dorsheitzedek.org with any questions. -
Thursday ,
JanJanuary 28 , 2021Is The Talmud Racist?
Thursday, Jan 28th 1:30p to 2:30p
In this presentation, Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies director Professor Steve Weitzman will introduce the series and its goals. Following that, Mira Wasserman will explore concepts of race and racism as they relate to the foundational source of Jewish tradition, the Babylonian Talmud. This is part of a Reconstructing Judaism free online lecture series on Jews, Race, & Religion. -
Thursday ,
JanJanuary 28 , 2021Tu B'Shvat Seder & Celebration
Thursday, Jan 28th 7:30p to 8:30p
The holiday of Tu B'Shvat, the “new year of the trees,” is a time to celebrate the natural world and the diversity and abundance of the earth’s resources. Come celebrate the fruits of our Tikkun Olam labor this year at CDT, including the Voter Mobilization Project, GBIO and more. Bring your own figs, dates, olives, pomegranates, grapes, etc. -
Saturday ,
JanJanuary 30 , 2021
Shabbat, Jan 30th 10:00a to 12:00p
This is Shabbat Shira, with the Torah’s account of the Israelites crossing the Reed Sea and celebrating with the Song of the Sea. Our morning service will feature new recordings from CDT Sings, and song and Torah learning with a special guest. -
Sunday ,
JanJanuary 31 , 2021
Sunday, Jan 31st 10:00a to 11:15a