Social Action Committee
The current BIJC Social Action Committee formed in 2020 as an outgrowth of the adult education class on Social Justice led by Rabbi Ted Feldman. Every month the Social Action Committee will focus on a project in which BIJC members may participate. For information please email socialaction@bnaiisrael.net.
Current Projects
APRIL 7, 2021 —The Social Action Committee of B’nai Israel Jewish Center in Petaluma, CA will host an online screening of ABRAZOS (Embraces) followed by a panel discussion with the filmmaker, Luis Argueta. The 45-minute documentary film follows a group of U.S. citizen children who travel 3,000 miles, from Minnesota to Guatemala, to meet their grandparents and extended families for the first time.
The film will be available to stream online May 9-16.
The Director Q&A will take place on May 16 at 1 p.m. (PST) via Zoom.
To register for either or both, Email film@bnaiisrael.net
There is no charge. Rabbi Ted Feldman of B’nai Israel Jewish Center will moderate the panel discussion. Guests will include filmmaker Argueta, immigration activist and Petaluma City Councilmember Dennis Pocekay, the organizers of the children’s trip and some of the children featured in the film.
Argueta is the 2019 recipient of the Harris Wofford Global Citizen Award, which honors an outstanding global leader who grew up in a country where Peace Corps Volunteers served. It is the highest honor bestowed upon a global leader by National Peace Corps Association.
The film is in English and Spanish with English subtitles. Registration is required. Viewing is open to all who are interested, however participation in the discussion is limited to 100.
To register or for further information, email film@bnaiisrael.net.
Links:
ABRAZOS website
Luis Argueta
Luis Argueta photo by Bea Gallardo
Past Projects
Guest Speaker Terry Winter, November 11, 7 p.m.
Get Out The Vote
For the month of September we are focusing on getting out the VOTE.
Sending postcards is winding down as we do not want to overload the already stressed postal system. Instead we will encourage folks to join a phone bank. Here is one we recommend:
Reclaim Our Vote: This organization contacts disenfranchised voters through out the Southern U.S. to help them get registered and vote. The phone-bank is organized to call folks who do not have internet or cell phones, mostly rural people of color.
Interfaith Food Pantry Seeks Masks
Thursday, August 27, 4:30 p.m.
For our monthly Elim Church food bank the Social Action committee would like to hand out face masks to participants. Along with a mask, we will include a short note written in Spanish and English that talks about the importance of wearing masks, proper usage of masks and the fines for not wearing them.
Here’s how you can help:
If you can sew masks or would like to donate purchased ones, please contact Lani at foodbank@bnaiisrael.net.
Backpack project
"Thanks to your generous support, almost $500 was raised by BIJC to donate to Food Empowerment Project's School Supply Drive for the Children of Farm Workers!
"More than 540 backpacks filled with school supplies were delivered to the children. It is such a joy to see their happy faces filled with excitement.
"While the School Supply Drive is over for this year, Food Empowerment Project would be grateful for your interest and support in other areas of their work. Please go to their website to discover the important difference they make in all aspect of the food chain."
