Social Justice Committee
First: A HUGE THANK YOU to the PJTC community for the extraordinary outpouring of support in getting the process of welcoming an Afghan refugee family to Pasadena. PJTC’s application is the first to pass muster in the Los Angeles area. This rapid, successful completion of the complex task took research and strategizing by everyone in the core group coordinated by Susan Auerbach. We are looking for one or two additional core volunteers to join Susan, Linda Mazur, Howard Landau, Tammy Silver, Ruth Wolman, Joe Widman and myself, as well as other volunteers to help on an as-needed basis. Farsi speakers and those with social work background have essential talents we will need to call upon.
On Sunday, Elliott Mazur, Jesse Duker and his “Dudes” schlepped and assembled, set up and re-set up, the furniture in the apartment in which the family will live as we support them in transitioning to a new life. The donations of essential items from kitchen ware to blankets collected through the work of Men’s Club and Sisterhood are beginning to fill closets and cupboards. Members of the Core Group of the Welcome Circle made sure the lights and gas are on, and other essential services are or are soon-to-be in process.
The generosity of PJTC members, community supporters, and the Fishman Foundation have created the financial resources for the family. Additional donations are welcome. Please send checks, made out to PJTC with ”Afghan Family Support” in the memo line, to Howard Landau, Welcome Circle Treasurer, 480 South Orange Grove Blvd. #14, Pasadena, CA 91105.
If you missed it, please watch the Adult Ed Social Hall recording (January 20, 2022) soon to be available on the PJTC YouTube channel.
The Interfaith Study Group will present a panel on resettling Afghan refugees with Susan Auerbach on Sunday, February 13 at 5:00 p.m. We regret that this conflicts with the Super Bowl.
Second: February 20 at 10:00 a.m. the Social Justice Committee will begin our voter registration focus for 2022 with a reprise of our successful screening (on zoom this time) of Robert Greenwald’s award-winning film “Suppression 2021: the War on Democracy.” Greenwald, President of Brave New Films, will discuss the sequel scheduled for March release and a panel will analyze challenges facing voters in registering and casting their votes in 2022 and beyond. Watch for the flier and register for this event.
Third: The SJC has taken a position opposing the Public Utility Commission proposal NEM 3.0 that adds monthly charges for connecting rooftop solar to the grid. This plan will undercut the incentive of net metering, which many who have already installed systems counted on when deciding to make the hefty investment. It will discourage new installation and flies in the face of popular opinion and the need to move to carbon-free energy for a sustainable future. For renters in apartment buildings constructed incorporating solar, this will result in a rent increase that will impact low-income and middle-income renters at a time when rents are already displacing those who do not earn over $110,000 /a year and thus cannot afford the high “market rates” (averaging $2757 /month for a two-bedroom in Pasadena, according to apartments.com).
Please email SJCPJTC@gmail.com for information about the Social Justice Committee.
by Carl Selkin
Social Justice Committee Member
