ABOUT JCUA PROGRAMS RESOURCES EVENTS ISSUES & ACTION
The Jewish Council on Urban Affairs combats poverty, racism, and anti-Semitism alongside partners from Chicago's diverse communities. For more than 40 years, JCUA has brought a Jewish voice and Jewish community involvement to coalition building, advocacy, and issues that affect Chicago's most at-risk communities.
JCUA continues leading role in Postville protest, relief efforts
JCUA led a large delegation of Chicago-area activists to Postville, Iowa, July 27 tosupport workers arrested in a federal immigration raid at the Agriprocessors kosher slaughterhouse in May. Addressing some 1,500 protesters from across the country, JCUA founder Rabbi Robert Marx and Jane Ramsey, our executive director, called for comprehensive immigration reform and a commitment to the human rights of workers and their families.
Through JCUA's relief campaign, we continue to provide food, housing and other assistance to some 200 families -- including 500 children! -- left helpless because their sole wage-earners are in prison, awaiting deportation.
Read news coverage of Sunday's rally in Postville.
View our album of Postville photos.The suffering continues ... help us provide support to the families ...
JCUA's new annual report is online!
Find out what's happening -- check out our calendar!
Apply for Nadiv fellowship
JCUA's Nadiv Fellowship offers a select group of 6-8 young (ages 21-35) emerging Jewish social justice leaders the opportunity to learn more about Judaism and social justice while also inspiring the next generation of Jewish students to develop their own social justice commitments.Nadiv begins with a weekend retreat at the end of August and continues through June 2008, with a second weekend retreat in January. Fellows receive a stipend of $2000 for participation in the program.
For more information and an application, click here. Applications must be submitted on-line and are due June 15, 2008. Successful applicants will be notified by the end of July 2008.
Contact Sam Aranson, (312) 663-0960, ext. 112, with questions.
JCUA E-News. Stay informed on JCUA's work with our monthly e-newsletter. To receive the monthly e-news, click here.
Cafe Finjan returns this Thursday
JCUA’s popular Café Finjan, a series of unique arts exchanges, featuring local Muslim and Jewish performers in an intimate coffee-house setting, returns Thursday evening, Aug 21. Learn more and RSVP …
JCUA supports Congress strikers
A large JCUA delegation joined striking Congress Hotel workers and other activists June 12 on the fifth anniversary of the Congress Hotel strike. In an amazing show of solidarity, JCUA protesters included staff, members and 13 rabbis of all denominations. Perhaps most memorable to all 1,000+ demonstrators was a powerful speech by Rachel Kohl Finegold, spiritual director at Anshe Sholom B'nai Israel and one of five Orthodox clergywomen in the nation.“This hotel is a shonde," she said. "The Jewish community will not stand for it.” Her cry was taken up by everyone at the rally, and "What a shonde" was heard for blocks around. Read her speech ...
JCUA has stood with the Congress Hotel workers since their strike began in 2003 after the owners made it clear they would not pay wages or benefits even close to those paid at other major Chicago hotels. For information on JCUA's work with the union workers, contact Michael Deheeger, synagogue organizer, (312) 663-0960.
For information on JCUA's Associate Division for young Jewish professionals, contact Irene Lehrer Sandalow, (312) 663-0960, ext. 109.
Or Tzedek Teen Summer Program ... where Jewish teens spend a week with JCUA and gain a life
time of insight and experience. And have a great time! Contact Asaf Bar-Tura, (312) 663-0960, ext. 110, or check out the Or Tzedek website.
