Priorities to focus the Shalom Bayit towards the goals of passing the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights and building JFREJ’s power overall-- JFREJ recognizes that there are many needs in this campaign and that we need to take on work that will build us as an organization and lead to concrete changes for domestic workers. This proposal aims to focus our limited resources on work where JFREJ has unique access and can make a strong impact.
Building a base & Developing Leaders (focus)
Focus our base-building and leadership development energies on building the core group of Employers for Justice up to 20 leaders who are committed to building their own education and skills to organize and speak out on this issue; and provide materials and speakers for discrete educational programs in synagogues and other community settings.
Legislative
Continue direct lobbying with DWU and developing Jewish political leverage to affect Sheldon Silver. Build connection with the Association of Trial Lawyers. Specifically, with the JFREJ Rabbinical Council, build up support from Jewish communal leaders.
Coalition work
While there is a need for the growth of the coalition, it is neither in JFREJ’s capacity nor organizational interest to do this work in a major way. We will continue to strengthen the relationship with DWUand other already-committed ally groups by participating in social, cultural, and educational, and political organizing and action together; build partnerships with Jewish communal leaders and organizations (as explained in Legislative bullet); do limited outreach to other groups when opportunities present themselves.
Communications
While there is a need for communications materials that speak more easily and to a broader audience, it is not in JFREJ’s capacity nor unique ability to lead a major communications strategy for this campaign. We will continue to work on JFREJ-specific materials (for outreach, lobbying and press) on a limited basis, as staff and members can; A sub-group of JFREJ members will also work on building relationships with Press for JFREJ as an organization overall. Our communications materials (educational, press releases and others) will focus on countering stereotypes about Jewish wealth (especially as it concerns Jews as employers in a domestic work context).
Outstanding issue: Given that we will not focus on coalition building with non-Jewish partners that might organize non-Jewish employers, how can we challenge anti-Jewish stereotypes, perpetuated by a potential perception that all employers are Jewish and that all Jews are of the employer class? We will: State this problem head on in all educational programs; and include statement about Jewish class diversity in all internal and external materials.