News & Announcements

The Social Justice Committee    

By Carl Selkin, Co-Chair                                        

   If you were unable to attend the Social Justice/ Dr. Martin Luther King Shabbat, you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/qvs4yHUI_2o

   Guest speaker Cynthia Cannady spoke to the controversy sparked by Dr. King’s April 4, 1967 speech at Riverside Church in New York.  Not content to “stay in his lane,” Dr. King passionately addressed  the constellation of social issues troubling our nation. Ms. Cannady asked us to reflect on this speech and think about how Dr. King would respond to continuing injustice and the threats of climate change,

    Our colleague Shawn Paper crafted an extraordinary video of that historic speech,  edited with historic photos of the turmoil and resistance, the historical  background  for this first-time public denunciation of the war in Vietnam by important moral and spiritual leaders

   Rabbi Carrier and Cantor Ruth worked closely with SJC to provide space in the service for the presentation of the Rabbi Marvin Gross Social Justice award to Peter Dreier. Becky Gross spoke movingly about the way her father  inspired  her lifelong commitment to housing justice. Anne- Marie Otey, our SJC co-chair, introduced the award recipient Peter Dreier, celebrating his activism in pursuit of justice, a commitment  that resonates with the legacy of both MLK and Rabbi Gross. Assemblymember Chris Holden and state Senator Anthony Portantino presented Dreier with official certificates recognizing his award.

   Dreier has designated The Brigid Alliance as the charity to benefit from the $500 donation accompanying the award. The Brigid Alliance provides travel and other support for women in need of abortions which have become illegal in their home states. 

   In his capacity as SJC Chair, Carl Selkin serves on the central organizing and planning group of Pasadena 100. On January 24, this coalition’s resolution was passed the Municipal Services Committee on a unanimous vote. The city has declared a climate crisis requiring extraordinary action.  And as a result, Pasadena Water and Power will develop and implement a blueprint to provide 100% of Pasadena’s electric power from non-carbon sources by 2030.

   Vice Mayor Felicia Williams congratulated our exemplary model for the community to work hand-in-hand with city government.

    Do public civic action and Jewish values mix?

    I am sure that some will wonder. Several members of the PJTC family participate in Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action. SJC looks forward to supporting the establishment of a PJTC chapter as a way of linking the PJTC focus of the newly restored Green Committee, our youth and adult programs, and the bridge between PJTC and the community offered by the Social Justice Committee. 

    Our extraordinary PJTC community marks a milestone on February 5, as  the PJTC HIAS Welcome Circle celebrates the anniversary of the arrival to Pasadena of the refugee Afghan family. Surpassing our commitment, the  PJTC community continues to help the Z family on their journey to a new, settled life in the United States. PJTC has truly taken to heart the repeated exhortations in the Torah:  welcome and accept the stranger.

    This brunch on February 5^th provides an opportunity for all of us to learn about the enormity of the international refugee problem.  Wars, climate change, and poverty have created and contributed to instability and unprecedented migration.

   Senior Vice President for Programs at HIAS (The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society), Raphael Marcus, will bring us up to date on the challenging landscape for refugees in crisis.

   The bagel brunch begins at 10:00 a.m. in the Social Hall. The suggested donation of $10 and your RSVP to SJC /PJTC@ Gmail.com  (by February 1) will ensure a sufficient supply.