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Think Globally and Act Locally. March is in Session!

By / March 6, 2020

Did you know Georgia’s legislative session lasts only 40 days? Our 56 senators and 180 representatives have from the second Monday of January late March to propose, debate, and vote on laws that deeply impact our lives. On February 6–in partnership with the Jewish Community Relations Council, American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League–Jeff Willard of Tzedek Georgia gave a training on making your voice heard as bills become laws.

Making Your Voice Heard in seven steps from Tzedek Georgia.

  1. Start on a positive note. Research your legislator. Find something you can thank them for, or at least connect with them on. 
  2. Frame your issue based on their values. Just like you, your representative has a system of values that is fully formed and unlikely to change. How can you frame your issue so that it appeals to what is important to them?
  3. Share the facts. This might start with making your legislator aware of the bill you want them to vote on or even handing them a copy of the bill. Tell them what you know about the issue.
  4. Share a personal story. Why do you care? How does this affect you or someone you know?
  5. Bring up the unintended consequences. What negative consequences might occur if the vote goes the wrong way? This does not mean threatening your legislator with supporting their opponent, etc. Stick to the issue. How will people be impacted?

  6. Ask how they plan to vote. If they are unsure or not voting your way, ask what other information you can provide. 

  7. Follow up. Advocating for what you care about takes a lot of energy, but a single visit isn’t enough. Follow up with additional information, call, email, write a note, and come back again, with friends!

 

 

Playdates with a Purpose: A Space for Kids to Learn the Joys of Volunteering

By / March 2, 2020

This originally appeared in The Jewish Times on February 27, 2020. 

Playdates with a Purpose is a program created by PJ Library of Metropolitan Detroit and Repair The World Detroit to allow children to do social service projects related to Jewish books they’re reading.

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Celebrating Black Leaders in the Community – Repair the World Partners

By / February 28, 2020

This Black History month we highlighted the extraordinary Black leaders behind our partner organizations that are doing amazing work in their communities. Because of these partnerships, we have been able to reach and serve more community members. Here are just a few of the amazing Black leaders building their communities and helping them thrive. 

The Southwest Ecumenical Emergency Assistance Center (SWEEAC) serves more than 48,000 families & distributes over 1,000,000 pounds of food to families in the communities of Atlanta. Executive Director, Ernesta B. Ingram, has been leading SWEEAC since 2005 and introducing new and exciting food programs to Atlantans. Repair the World Atlanta has been able to reach and serve more community members in Atlanta because of organizations like Southwest Ecumenical Emergency Assistance Center, Inc. Visit their website to learn more about their work!

The Safe Alternative Foundation for Education was founded by Van Brooks, a community leader who inspires students every day. Repair The World Baltimore was honored to feature the SAFE Alternative’s work when Van Brooks served on the educational equity panel during last month’s MLK Day program. SAFE Alternative believes that all students should have access to quality education and the resources and opportunities that will assist them in achieving their goals. SAFE Alternative provides after school, weekend, and summer learning educational opportunities in West Baltimore and hosts one of Repair the World Baltimore’s VolunTeams, a group of volunteers who visit the center once a month to do career workshops. Visit their website to learn more about their work!

The African Healing Garden in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is truly a place to restore wholeness to mind, body, and spirit. The plot of land owned by Betty Lane, the community’s 80-year-old matriarch, includes fruit trees, herbs, flowers, water, and a restful atmosphere. Betty grew up in the Hill District. She moved to Larimer in 1970 to raise her kids. She still lives in the same house within sight of the healing garden. The garden is a place where solace and peace of mind can bring about wholeness to those who enter its gates. It is being designed to provide an outdoor classroom for children’s activities. Repair the World Pittsburgh has spent many service days tending the garden and planting new plants throughout this partnership. Visit their website to learn more about their work! 

Black History Month: How Jewish Judges Played Role In Miami’s Civil Rights Movement

By / February 18, 2020

This originally appeared on CBS Miami on February 14, 2020.

Recently, Repair the World Miami hosted Shabbat at the Historic Black Police Precinct and Museum. CBS Miami was there while attendees learned about Jewish support during the civil rights movement.

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Jewish Leaders Travel to Rwanda to Engage in International Development

By / February 13, 2020

This originally appeared in the Jerusalem Post on February 13, 2020. 

“In February, a group of 16 Jewish leaders from Israel, the United States and the United Kingdom traveled to Rwanda as part of the InterACT Global study trip. Participants were heads of organizations such as Shalom Corps, UJIA, the Schusterman Foundation Israel, Repair the World and more. InterACT Global was initiated by the Office of the President of Israel and is led by OLAM, a platform of Jewish and Israeli international development organizations, in partnership with SID Israel, Gesher Leadership Institute, and Shalom Corps.”

Reflections from MLK Day in Atlanta

By / February 3, 2020

This originally appeared in the Atlanta Jewish Times on January 31, 2020.

For 1,300 volunteers on MLK Day, what comes next?

On the 34th annual Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, we have a lot to be proud of. A coalition of 23 Jewish organizations and 26 service partners, coordinated by Repair the World, mobilized 1,300 volunteers to address urgent local needs.

We packed 2,850 kits for people experiencing homelessness and sorted 168 boxes of books. We cooked 380 meals for people in shelters and delivered over 100 more to families facing food insecurity. We packed 400 dental supply kits and swabbed 40 potential new bone marrow donors. We planted trees and sustainably stewarded green spaces. We modeled love and care for our seniors and volunteered with our children. We didn’t let the scale of need paralyze us; we took action and we tried to meet it.

One week later, I’m still proud of our service together. And, I know that 200 people will line up at SWEEAC [Southwest Ecumenical Emergency Assistance Center] to get groceries today. I know that 90 percent of these food pantry clients are currently employed, but don’t earn enough to feed their families. I know that those 200 people standing in line represent 600-plus family members who don’t have enough to eat, most of whom are children. And I know that they will be back next week.

Working at Repair the World means that I get to see firsthand the ongoing commitment to service from many individuals and institutions in the Atlanta Jewish community. I get to fight back against the overwhelm every day and see the impact of small acts of kindness. For example, hearing about the moving experience of providing nail care to men at the Gateway Center, how unusual to connect on a deeply human level with individuals who we more often fear, demonize and hustle past. Service is an opportunity for us to reconnect with our own humanity and compassion.

Dyonna Ginsberg teaches about the difference between chesed (kindness), tzedakah (philanthropy) and tzedek (justice). A few days after Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I find myself thinking about the times that I have been forced to rely on the kindness of strangers. A random act of kindness or charity is a beautiful thing, prized in our tradition, but I wouldn’t want to count on it for adequate nutrition, shelter or safety.

We have accomplished a lot by honoring Dr. King with acts of service. But let’s not be too proud, or too complacent, to ask ourselves why acts of kindness and philanthropy are still necessary in the wealthiest nation on earth, in a thriving city. We can also honor Dr. King with frankness and honesty: 52 years after his murder, massive health and wealth disparities based on race persist in this country and in this city. Between now and next MLK Day, let’s ask ourselves what enduring structural changes are necessary to ensure that the basic needs of every person are non-negotiable, that their rights are iron-clad, their dignity a foregone conclusion. The legislative session is upon us. There are people and organizations doing the work of long-term change. Between now and our next service day, let’s join them.

Lily Brent, Executive Director, Repair the World Atlanta

Repairing The World On MLK Day

By / January 28, 2020

This originally appeared in the Atlanta Jewish Times on January 24, 2020.

“A total of 23 Jewish organizations and 1,300 volunteers were involved in this year’s MLK Day of Service Jan. 20 coordinated by Repair the World, which creates opportunities for tikkun olam, the Hebrew of its name.”

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Repair the World’s Racial and Economic Justice Shabbat Dinner

By / January 20, 2020

This originally appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on January 20, 2020.

“The importance of this event was to understand the systemic roots of racial and economic injustices that have permeated our city,” said Savannah Parson, a senior fellow for Repair the World Pittsburgh. “We are proud to highlight the work that Open Hand Ministries, Circles Greater Pittsburgh and Cocoapreneur PGH are doing every day to eradicate these injustices.”

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Turn the Tables on Jews, Allyship, and Civil Rights

By / January 17, 2020

“Throughout MLK Weekend, Repair the World is offering service and learning opportunities to support local organizations across Detroit. This guide, used at our Detroit Shabbat Dinner on January 17, 2020, serves as a starting point, framing the service we will do and asking us to reflect on the role of Jews in the struggle for racial justice. Before we begin the work of tikkun olam, we must sit down, together, and reckon with these questions.”

Click Here to View the Guide

Press Release: #ActNow and Serve with Others in Chicago Over MLK Weekend

By / January 16, 2020

For Immediate Release

Contact: Jason Edelstein, 510-239-1102

Local organizations partner to offer service and learning experiences throughout Chicagoland

Chicago, IL – Upcoming opportunities abound in Chicago for those looking to connect with and engage in service in celebration of MLK Weekend. In partnership with Silverstein Base Hillel, Mishkan Chicago, OneTable, Jewish United Fund (JUF), and many other partners, Repair the World Chicago is offering an array of experiences to address and highlight pressing local needs—including civic Shabbat dinners, expert talks on racial and economic justice, and volunteer opportunities—as part of its national #ActNow campaign.

“We’ve been on the ground in Chicago for about six-months building relationships with the people and organizations who best know this community and its needs,” says Melissa Schwarz, Program Coordinator for Repair the World Chicago. “We want to support and amplify our partners’ ongoing efforts to address local needs, and the dinners, talks, and service this MLK weekend show how important it is to develop these types of local relationships.”

On Friday, January 17, OneTable, JUF, and numerous other partners will kick off MLK weekend across Chicagoland with 10 simultaneous civic Shabbat dinners, bringing service and Jewish values to the Shabbat dinner table. These Shabbat dinners will foster conversation among young adults seeking meaningful dialogue about contemporary civil rights and social justice issues. Framing the conversation with Jewish values, the dinners will be grassroots-driven, intimate dining experiences that will inspire action. 

On MLK Day, Monday, January 20th, people can join Chicago Repair, Mishkan Chicago, JCUA, Avodah, and Silverstein Base Hillel: Lincoln Park for the fourth annual MLK dinner and discussion. Tonika Lewis Johnson, a visual artist/ photographer from Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood, will discuss urban segregation and the nuance and richness of the black community. In addition, volunteers can play games and engage in activities for children at the Northwestern Settlement on the morning of MLK Day, organized by JUF’s Young Leadership Division.

“We want people to be inspired to act and to create change,” adds Schwarz. “We honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s enduring legacy and lifelong commitment to equity, by learning about the needs of and serving in solidarity with our neighbors.” 

Repair the World’s resources and facilitation guides related to Martin Luther King, Jr. and racial justice are available at go.werepair.org/mlk-day, as are listings of additional service opportunities nationally. 

Repair the World’s peer-to-peer model of engagement through service grounded in Jewish values is on the ground in nine different communities today. Repair works closely with local nonprofits to address urgent community needs, including food justice, education justice, criminal justice reform, housing needs, racial equity, and more. 

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