Advocacy Day – 2020 – Agenda and Background Info

Reform Jewish Voice of New Jersey
Annual Advocacy Day in Trenton

POSTPONED (was Monday, March 16, 2020)
9:30am – 2:30pm
Masonic Temple
100 Barrack St. Trenton NJ

Check-in and coffee starts at 9:00am.  Event starts promptly at 9:30am.

Here is our line-up of invited speakers:


Environmental Justice — Plastics Ban Bill 

This year, Reform Jewish Voice of New Jersey is supporting the state bill banning single-use plastics. ANJEC Executive Director Jennifer Coffey and Policy Director Alex Ambrose will brief us on the bill and why it is important. They will also share some of the great work ANJEC (Association of NJ Environmental Councils) has been doing at both the state and local levels to raise awareness and pass legislation.

Senator Linda Greenstein will speak about her lead sponsorship of this bill and why it matters to her.

Our members Paul Kaufman and Rabbi Paula Feldstein will share personal and Jewish reflections.


Racial Justice –  Learning about Reparations 

As you may know, at its Biennial in December of 2019, the Union of Reform Judaism passed a resolution supporting efforts to study the issue of Reparations. As part of our efforts to learn more about the issue, we have invited Assistant Counsel Henal Patel of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice to speak to us about why the Institute believes that reparations are a New Jersey issue, and why the Institute has undertaken a campaign to support legislation to  study whether and how reparations might help create a more just, equitable, and whole New Jersey.

Ms.Panel will also give an update on the Voting Rights Restoration bill (which we supported),and how we can act to help register newly eligible voters!

Assemblywoman Verlina Reynolds Jackson will speak about her role in sponsoring the reparations task force legislation.

Rabbi Joel Abraham will share Jewish reflections on this issue.


Fighting Anti-Semitism and Hate Crimes

Reverend Derrick Green, Senior Advisor for Diversity, Faith and Urban and Regional Growth and Deborah Cornevaca, Deputy Chief of Staff, both of the Office of the Governor,  will talk with us about what has changed and how the state is responding to reverse these trends.


Civic Engagement 

Our RAC Organizer Sarah Blaine will reflect on how a statewide civic engagement campaign will build our community’s strength and ability to move our issues forward  and will share some highlights of the movement-wide civic engagement campaign. Civic engagement will be a central theme for us in the coming year.


In addition:
  • Reflections from Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver 

 

And more — NFTY ruach, celebration of our legislative successes, meetings with legislators as available,  time to connect and learn from each other!


Additional Materials 

Logistic Information

Environmental Justice – Discussion Guide | Background Info | ANJEC Action Alert | Stop Plastic Handout | Jewish Texts on the EnvironmentSenate Bill | Assembly Bill |

See also COVID-19 & Plastic Bags

Racial Justice – Discussion Guide | Background Info | URJ Resolution | URJ Resolution Q&A Senate Bill| Assembly Bill 

See also: Black Caucus Introduces Bill | America’s Original Sin

Countering Anti-Semitism/Hate in NJ – Discussion Guide | Background Info

Civic Engagement – Discussion Guide | Background Info