MLK Day 2022
Thank you to all who joined together to write, email, call and tweet on MLK 2022 Day of Service.
You can still take action on your own - see below!
We will be gathering for more Interfaith days of writing and action.
Letters, Phone calls, Tweets,
to support Voting rights and other National Legislation
NOW! Urge your senators to vote for the Freedom to Vote Act (S.2747) and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (S.4).
1. .Email Letters to your legislators on Voting and other National Legislation
a. with The Friends Committee on National Legislation Website
b. with The Jewish Reform Movement Religious Action Committee https://rac.org/advocacy-activism
c. How to write effective e-mails to Congress
https://www.fcnl.org/resources/write-effective-emails-congress
2. Urgent!Letters to Senators Sinema and Manchin on Voting Legislation:
(Even though we are not their constituents)
https://www.sinema.senate.gov/contact-kyrsten
https://www.manchin.senate.gov/contact-joe/email-joe
Sample Letters: (Thank you to Larry Serlin):
Dear Senator Sinema,
It is critical that Democrats everywhere unite and do ALL that they can to pass voting rights legislation as a counter to the voter suppression legislation being passed in many states controlled by Republican interests. You are a critical element of this effort, since EVERY senate vote is needed in order to change the filibuster "rule." As you know, this "rule" is not part of the Constitution or even our laws but rather is a procedural rule of the Senate that can readily be changed - and must be changed to accomplish the voting rights legislation essential to maintaining our democracy. Without fair voting, we will have no meaningful Senate to act on necessary legislation. Although I am not your constituent, I know many people in Arizona who are. I would like to tell them to support you, but will certainly tell them otherwise if you fail to take the responsible action of supporting a change in the filibuster rule for the purpose of passing the voter rights act. I appreciate your consideration, and reconsideration of your position, on this urgent matter.
Dear Senator SInema: (Thank you to Rabbi Gila Ruskin)
I heard that out-of-state, non-constituent letters are ignored, but I have much family and many friends and colleagues in Arizona, and I would like to encourage them to support you, so please do not dismiss my concerns.
On this day when we commemorate the ministry of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I believe that Democrats everywhere should do ALL that they can to pass voting rights legislation as a counter to the voter suppression legislation being passed in many states controlled by Republican interests. You are a critical element of this effort, since EVERY senate vote is needed in order to change the filibuster "rule." As you know, this "rule" is not part of the Constitution or even our laws but rather is a procedural rule of the Senate that can readily be changed - and must be changed to accomplish the voting rights legislation essential to maintaining our democracy. Without fair voting, we will have no meaningful Senate to act on necessary legislation.
I believe that if you fail to take the responsible action of supporting a change in the filibuster rule for the purpose of passing the voter rights act, you will lose the support of responsible and ethically-driven Arizona citizens who are registered Democrats and proud Americans. I trust that you will take these important matters into consideration.
3. NOW! Action against Gerrymandering
Stop Gerrymandering - Send to your legislator - easy language
https://fairdistrictspa.com/take-actio
4. Phone Calls or Hard Copy letters to your legislators on various issues:
Sample Texts for Voting Rights. Make it personal and heartfelt.
Click here to get your senator's phone # and street address
a. Both Voting Acts: My name is ________________. I am a constituent. My zip code is ______. I never miss a vote. Mail in ballots have been life altering. The right to vote is sacred and fundamental in our democracy. The filibuster should not stand in the way of civil rights legislation. I am calling to urge passing both the Freedom To Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. We need safe voting options, end partisan gerrymandering and eliminate discriminatory barriers to the ballot.
b. John Lewis Voting Rights Act: Hello my name is _______ and I am calling to urge Senator ______ to support The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (H.R. 4). As a member of the (name of your congregation) community, I believe that the ability to vote is one of the most essential rights of any thriving democracy. The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would restore key provisions to the 1965 Voting Rights Act that were gutted from 2013 Supreme Court decision of Shelby v. Holder which ensures that locations with a history of discrimination in voting must receive pre-clearance from federal officials before changing voting procedures, Thank you in advance for your consideration.
c. Freedom to Vote Act :Hello my name is ______ and I am calling to urge Senator _____ to support The Freedom to Vote Act. As a member of the (name of your congregation) community, I believe that the ability to vote is one of the most essential rights of any thriving democracy. The Freedom To Vote Act would protect the right to vote, regulate federal elections, and defend the democratic process, transforming our democracy to make it fairer, stronger, and more inclusive. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
5. Twitter to Senator Toomey on Voting Legislation:
Please send one or more tweets to Senator Toomey: @SenToomey
Action Together NEPA, a progressive organization that has chapters in about 10 counties in NE PA. The goal is to press Toomey to bring the voting rights bills to the Senate floor for debate.
Twitter Storm Sample Tweets:
Senator Toomey, every American citizen must have equal access to the ballot. Bring voting rights up for a debate!
MLK devoted his life to ensuring equal voting rights for all. Why doesn’t the Senate devote some time too! Debate voting rights now!
Senator Toomey, you rose on January 6th, 2021 to “...defend the right of my citizens, my constituents , to vote..” We need you to rise again, and start the debate on voting rights!
Millions of us voted to elect you. We’re your constituents. We expect you to protect our freedom to choose our leaders. Vote to begin debate on voting rights!
Senator, will you make sure that I have equal access to mail-in voting, early voting, and drop boxes?
Senator, will you prevent me from being gerrymandered into a district, so I know my vote counts?
Senator, will you stop corrupt partisan politicians who try to not count every vote?
Bring voting rights to the floor now!
Every citizen no matter their race, class, or background wants the Senate to protect their freedom to vote. Debate voting rights now!
Senator Toomey, make voting rights your legacy. Vote to debate voting rights!
Gemilut Hasadim Letters
to Homebound Elders and Hospitalized Children
Coordinator - Tammy Forstater
Handwritten cards for Homebound Holocaust survivors and other elders served by the Mitzvah Food Pantry at JFCS. Holocaust Survivors and other elders served by the Mitzvah Food Pantry through JFCS
Some suggested greetings for cards include:
"Thinking of You"
“Spring is just around the corner!”
“Wishing you a cozy and wonderful winter!”
“Wishing you a bright and snowy February”
"Sending blessings for a healthy New Year 2022!"
If you want to know more about the work of JFCS, click here:
Email cards to Children at the Children's Hospital Colorado
https://www.childrenscolorado.org/your-visit/cheer-cards/