Shalom Bayit: Justice for Domestic Workers is a JFREJ campaign to bring Jews into the struggle for dignity, respect and better working conditions for domestic workers (nannies, eldercare givers, house cleaners).  Shalom Bayit is organizing Jewish communities throughout the New York City area. The campaign started when JFREJ joined hands with Domestic Workers United (DWU).

DWU is a city-wide, industry-wide alliance of domestic workers and domestic worker organizations that have come  together to gain respect and recognition for domestic workers, and establish fair labor standards in an industry where abuse and  exploitation are the norm.

 

 

Lobby Day, May 2006

Organizing and Action

* Shalom Bayit raises awareness, mobilizes support, and develops leaders in join the fight for domestic workers justice.

* Shalom Bayit is building an Employers for Justice network – employers of nannies, eldercare givers and housecleaners, who improve their employment practices, speak out and take action in support of the State-wide legislation, the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.

* Shalom Bayit works with Domestic Workers United (DWU) to develop strategy and take action towards the passage of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.

 

Brief History

In 2002, JFREJ began working with Domestic Workers United (DWU).
2003-2004, JFREJ helped pass a city council resolution for domestic workers rights.  JFREJ was the only ally that DWU felt both shared their political vision and had access to employer communities. JFREJ began to reach out to employers, specifically to try and get them to begin using a standard contract. JFREJ began reaching out to synagogue communities where employment of domestic work was common.
2005-2006, The Domestic Workers Bill of Rights was introduced in the NY State Legislature. Shalom Bayit continued to work in synagogues reaching out to employers. Shalom Bayit developed a vision of altering power relations between domestic workers and employers by advocating for change in employment practices and empowering community members to speak out and educate each other and the community at large about Jewish values and domestic labor.
2006-2007  

* DWU joined Shalom Bayit at several congregational and community events, including an adult education course at Congregation Beth Simchat Torah and a Shabbat dinner planned by Kolot Chayeinu and the Park Slope Jewish Center that drew over 80 community members.

* JFREJ and DWU members partnered to create and perform the Purim Spiel from the palace workers’ perspective. The event educated over 500 attendees about the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights and was featured in the New York Times.

* Shalom Bayit encouraged over 100 employers of nannies, housecleaners, and eldercare givers to improve their employment practices and take action for the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights.  We built a core group of 10 Employers for Justice leaders.

* JFREJ members, employers, rabbis and other Jewish leaders worked with DWU to move the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights forward in the State Assembly and Senate, by planning and participating in strategy sessions, trainings, cultural events, press conferences, legislative meetings, rallies, and a major Town Hall event.
To see 2007-2008 Priorities, click here.

 

Accomplishments:

Jewish Community Organizing: Shalom Bayit has now conducted hundreds ofone-to-one meetings and over10 community living room meetings with synagogue members and staff from the Upper West Side to Park Slope. We are building toward a sustained synagogue campaign that brings this issue to the fore in congregational communities.  In March 2006, the JFREJ Rabbinical Council held a forum for Domestic Workers Rights.  In March 2007, JFREJ held a major Purim event, planned in partnership with DWU.

Employers for Justice: Employers for Justice is a group of employers of nannies, housecleaners and eldercare givers who have made concrete improvements in their employment practices and taken action to support domestic workersjustice.  Shalom Bayit engages employers through one-to-one conversations, living room gatherings, and congregational events.  We have developed resources to support employers in taking a "step up" in their employment practices.  Find out more- Get in touch!

Skill-building and Political Analysis: Shalom Bayit has held a large range of trainings: one-to-ones, outreach, facilitation, anti-oppression, media, power analyses, anti-oppression, domestic workers justice messaging, etc.

Solidarity: JFREJ had a huge presence at DWU’s Unity for Dignity in October 2004, at a major lobby day in May 2006, a Town Hall event, and "We Built this City" March and Rally in June 2007. And Many other mobilizations!  Look at photos!

Legislation: In Spring of 2003, JFREJ and DWU successfully pressured the City Council to pass New York’s first ever legislation to protect domestic workers’ rights. Victory! Click here to learn about the New York City Council's passage of the Domestic Workers Bill. In Spring of 2005, the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights was introduced in the State Assembly.  After much research, planning and action, in 2007, it was introduced into the Senate and voted out of the Senate Labor Committee.  Shalom Bayit continues to work with DWU, aiming for the goal to pass in 2008!

 

How can I get involved?

 

Take Action:

  • Download DWU action postcards, fill in your name and address and send the full sheet to JFREJ, 135 W. 29th Street, #600, NY NY 10001. JFREJ and DWU will deliver these all together.

 

Resources:

For Domestic Workers:

For Employers:

For Organizers and others interested in this issue:


Media Coverage