July 26, 2006
For Immediate Release Contact: Dara Silverman
the growing immigrant rights movement:
New York City Jewish Group Responds by
raising awareness and taking action
New York, NY — Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ) is bringing together experts on the complex issue of immigrant rights during an educational forum. The forum will be held on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at 7:00 pm. at Congregation Rodeph Sholom, at 7 West 83rd Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY.
The forum, organized by Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (JFREJ) and co-sponsored by Avodah: The Jewish Service Corps, The Jewish FundS for Justice and The Workmen's Circle/ Arbeter Ring, will feature a panel discussion designed to answer audience questions about the growing immigrant rights movement, the historical context of immigrant struggles and ways to take action and speak up as Jews. Panelists will include Raquel Batista, Director of the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Rabbi Lisa Grushcow, Congregation Rodeph Sholom and Ariella Rotramel, an active JFREJ Member and Graduate Student, Women's and Gender Studies, Rutgers University. Jon Moscow, JFREJ Board Member, will moderate. The event is free and open to the public.
“Since biblical times, we Jews have been immigrants, and since biblical times, we have been in pursuit of a society which is just,” said panelist Rabbi Lisa Grushcow, “ For both these reasons, it is incumbent upon us to understand immigration as it plays out today.” Dara Silverman, JFREJ Director explained, “This forum will address how the immigrant rights movement is building, what comes next and how Jews, with a strong immigrant history, can take on a critical role in defending the rights of immigrants today.” Nationally, the immigration debate rages. Proposed new laws threaten civil liberties, immigrant rights and our relations with other countries and put pressure on labor standards and worker rights. “JFREJ has been working in support of immigrant rights for over 10 years. From our work with the Chinese Staff and Workers Association fighting for back wages, fighting for police attacks on immigrants like Amadou Diallo, to our ongoing work for Domestic Workers’ rights, JFREJ has been and is there,” stated Dara Silverman, JFREJ Director.
For more information about JFREJ contact: dara@jfrej.org or visit www.jfrej.org
JFREJ - a membership organization representing thousands of Jews across the city - was founded in 1990 in response to the increase in racial and ethnic tensions and economic disparities in New York City. Through grassroots organizing, education and advocacy, JFREJ works to make the Jewish community a stronger participant in challenging inequality in our city while fostering a Jewish identity with justice at its core.