Tzedek February 2022 Update

Greetings from Tzedek, the anti-racism group at Congregation Beth Shalom. This month, we have some suggestions for reading, viewing, and getting involved, and much for which to say thank you.

Three Letter-Writing Volunteer Opportunities
If you watched the film “Since I Been Down,” you can write a letter in support of Kimonti Carter, who was featured in the film. The encouraging news is that Kimonti Carter has been granted a hearing before Division II of the Washington State Court of Appeals in March. This is not a guarantee of release, but it is his first opportunity to make his case before the Court that he should be given the opportunity to re-enter society. Volunteers can help Kimonti’s chances by writing letters of support to the judge by February 14. Mail letters to: The Honorable Judge Johnson, Pierce County Superior Court, 930 Tacoma Ave. South, Dept #10, Tacoma, Washington 98402. Please email a copy of your letter to Kimonti's attorney. You can see a sample letter here:.

Fare Start needs volunteers of all ages to write letters to tuck into their food deliveries. Fare Start prepares 5,000-7,000 meals a day for local homeless shelters, non-profits, senior facilities, schools, and more.  Including letters with the meal delivery can bring a moment of joy and connection for recipients, many of whom are isolated during the pandemic and experiencing low income, poverty, homelessness or other factors that make it difficult to find secure and nutritious sources of food. This activity is suitable for children and adults, and it’s flexible on timing. Learn more here.

Last but not least, we recently learned about Black and Pink Pen Pals – an organization that coordinates a nationwide PenPal program matching incarcerated LGBTQIA2S+ people and people living with HIV/AIDS with PenPals who correspond, build relationships, and participate in harm reduction and affirmation. For an incarcerated LGBTQIA2S+ person, corresponding with someone on a regular basis is itself a harm reduction strategy, giving that person a support network outside of prison. Learn more here.

Jewish Anti-Racism Reading and Viewing
Kim Shulze, with support from Diana Steeble and Jeff Ross, gave Tzedek’s dvar torah on Parsha Bo, connecting the Egyptians gifts of jewels and clothing to the ancient Israelites just before the Exodus to the modern case for reparations. Missed it? You can watch the video here.

The Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle published its statement on racial equity recently. CBS is a member of JCRC and was part of the 87% vote in favor of the statement’s adoption. The consensus statement includes discussion on how Jews relate to race in America historically and today, why racial justice is important to the Jewish community, and a plan of action. Read the statement here. 

Toddah Rabah Times Three
Thank you to everyone who donated for our Winter Coat drive in support of Byrd Barr Place. Byrd Barr directly distributed coats to adults and worked with partners at the World School and Kandelia to get coats to children who are homeless. Our final count (drum roll please): CBS members donated over 150 coats to our neighbors in need of warmth. Here are some messages from the folks at Byrd Barr Place:
•    “We are so grateful to the generous folks at Congregation Beth Shalom for their continued partnership and support of the Byrd Barr Place food bank. They organized another big donation of winter coats to keep the students at the World School warm this season! Thank you!”
•    “I saw one student who never wears a jacket, but he found one that fit him perfectly, and wouldn’t take it off.”
Thank you as well to all the Beth Shalom folks who participated in MLK Jr. Day. Great to see you at the Seattle march or participating in other volunteer activities during the day in honor of Dr. King’s legacy. 

And thank you to Abby Zorn and Carolyn Cohen, the CBS point persons for the Multifaith Lobbying Day in January in Olympia, and all the CBS folks who came out to advocate for four bills seeking to make Washington state’s criminal justice system equitable and just: Bill 5036/Expanding Clemency, Bill 1312/Solitary Confinement, House Bill 1413/Reforming our Juvenile Sentencing System to be Less Punitive, Bill 1169 De-Stacking Sentencing Enhancements. In total, about forty individuals from many synagogues, churches, and mosques participated. (There is also an upcoming Interfaith Lobby Day coming up on February 10.) Read more about the bills that the Multifaith Lobby Day supported here.