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Or Tzedek is a Program of the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs
E-News – May 2010
Summer 2010
The Or Tzedek Teen Social Justice Summer 2010 season is just around the corner. This year’s participants are an amazing group of teens from across North America (and even someone from Germany!) from a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives. What everyone shares in common is a desire to create a fun, inspiring and safe environment to explore their Jewish and social justice identities.
Some program highlights include:
- Meeting with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and other politicians
- Collaborating with other teen groups on Immigration Reform and on Environmental Justice campaigns
- Working with hotel workers on advocating for Worker’s Rights
- Interfaith collaboration and friendship trainings and events
- Fireworks at Millennium Park, bowling, Navy Pier
There is still room for a few more teens this summer. If you are, or know of someone else interested in Or Tzedek, please check out the Or Tzedek website, and contact Tom Samuels at (312) 663-0960 or toms@jcua.org.
Or Tzedek Parent Advisory Committee
Long-in-coming, the Or Tzedek Parent Advisory Committee had its first meeting on April 20. Of immediate concern for the Committee is the exponential increase in financial aid requests from previous years. A hearty "thank you" to the committee members for all of their hard work. For more information on the committee, or to get involved, please contact Tom Samuels at (312) 663-0960 or toms@jcua.org.
Community Ambassador
Tom Samuels, Director of Teen Programs at JCUA, was recently selected to be a One Chicago, One Nation Community Ambassador! This is a program designed to bring together Chicagoans of diverse faiths and cultures, through addressing local needs. Community Ambassadors come from Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, range in age from 17 to 80, are attending high school, college, graduate school and seminary, speak 20 different languages, are Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, Baha'i, Secular Humanist, Agnostic, Nonreligious and Spiritual, and work as community organizers, engineers, nannies, educators, health advocates, poets, reporters and attorneys, among others.
Cambodian & Jewish Teens for Immigration Reform
On Sunday, March 21, in solidarity with the Immigration Reform March in Washington, D.C., teens from the Cambodian Association of Illinois and JCUA's Or Tzedek Teen Social Justice Program met at the Cambodian Association of Illinois to learn about the effects of deportation on the Cambodian-America community. They watched the documentary "Sentenced Home," which features the stories of Cambodian-Americans who were deported to Cambodia and had to leave their families and lives behind. They then planned next steps to take action on fixing our immigration system. See pictures of this amazing event.
Keep up-to-date on Upcoming Or Tzedek Events Here.
Upcoming JCUA Events
May 11:
Jewish-Muslim Discussion Over Coffee:
Criminal Justice
Join us for an exciting and thought-provoking discussion about criminal justice.
Facilitators:
- Imam Frederick Thaufeer al-Deen, author and chaplain
- Rabbi Larry Edwards, Congregation Or Chadash
When: Tuesday, May 11, 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Where: Noble Tree Coffee & Tea, 2444 N. Clark St, Chicago
Cost: Free. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
For information contact us: jmcbi@jcua.org or visit the JMCBI website.
This event is co-organized by the Jewish-Muslim Community Building Initiative, CAIR-Chicago and the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs.
May 12:
Lunch & Learn:
Immigration Reform--At a Crossroads
A conversation on the second anniversary of the immigration raid in Postville, Iowa, on how close we may or may not be to achieving a just and fair immigration system.
Bring your lunch and join us to hear the latest on new legislation being proposed / introduced in the Senate and hear about ways YOU can help make reform happen in 2010.
Speakers:
- Gideon Aronoff, President and CEO of Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
- Jane Ramsey, Executive Director of Jewish Council on Urban Affairs
When: Thursday, May 12, Noon - 1:30 pm
Where: Jewish Council on Urban Affairs/ Spertus Institute, 610 South Michigan Ave., Chicago (3rd floor)
Cost: Free
Due to space limitations, advance registration is required. For more information, please contact Allison Fisher at allison@jcua.org.
NOTE: Lunch will NOT be provided. Please bring your own lunch. 
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