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Empowering current and future leaders to build a more compassionate and just society
The Jewish Center for Justice is a distinguished social justice, education, and leadership development platform that meets each individual where they are in their journey to inspire change.
The Micah D. Bycel Fund for Legislative Fellows
On August 27, 2022, the Jewish Center for Justice community suffered a devastating loss with the sudden and untimely death of Board Member Micah Bycel (z”l).
The JCJ community has created a special fund to honor Micah’s memory and secure his legacy. Micah was a kind and compassionate soul. He saw a broken world and was determined to make it better for his kids and the next generation. In his honor, The Micah D. Bycel Fund for Legislative Fellows will help shape the next generation of Jewish justice activists.
In addition to the Fund, we have renamed the program, The Micah D. Bycel Legislative Fellowship. All future fellows will learn of Micah’s memory and advocate for justice in his honor.
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Act to Protect Marriage Equality
Take ACTION by contacting your Senators and Representatives and urging them to support the Respect for Marriage Act bill.
- U.S. Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121
- Find your Senator!
Sample script:
“Hi, my name is [your name]. I’m calling today to urge [your Senator] to support the Respect for Marriage Act. As a Jew and member of the Jewish Center for Justice community, we believe that we are all created in the image of God, and therefore should all benefit from the same protections under the law. This bill would enshrine marriage equality for the LGBTQ+ community and protect this right from being decided on a state level. We recognize that the right to marriage equality is universal and urge you to support this bill. Thank you.”
What is The Respect for Marriage Act?
The bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act (H.R.8404) will further enshrine marriage equality as the law of the land, regardless of what a far-right Supreme Court may decide. If enacted, this legislation would:
- Repeal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and require states to acknowledge any marriage conducted in another state
- Recognize Marriage Equality at the Federal level
- Provide additional legal protections for Marriage Equality
Why is Marriage Equality important?
Judaism — like many other faith traditions — teaches that all human beings are created in the image of God; we therefore emphatically reject attempts by those who invoke religion as a shield for discrimination. We support efforts at every level of government to root out discrimination against LGBTQ+ Americans, including fighting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity and updating the Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Why is this issue urgent?
After Justice Clarence Thomas argued that landmark cases for marriage equality should be revisited in his concurring opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson, it is imperative that we stand with LGBTQ+ individuals within our community and the LGBTQ+ community at-large. As we can no longer trust the Supreme Court to preserve rights, we call on the Senate to codify the right to marry by swiftly bringing this historic legislation to a vote and sending it to President Biden’s desk.
If United States v. Windsor (2013) and Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) were to be overturned, 35 states would have same-sex marriage bans go back into effect. We cannot afford for marriage equality to be sent back to the states like abortion rights have been. We must codify the right to marry.
Action Alert compiled by JCJ Fellows Ian Caplan and August Hochman, and updated on Nov. 16, 2022.
The 2022 Midterm Elections take place on November 8th. Here’s what you need to know.
On Tuesday, November 8, the 2022 Midterm Elections will take place on the national, statewide, and local level. Voters will be asked to cast their ballot on a number of candidates, from state senators to congressional representatives, as well as a number of...
Gov. Newsom has until September 30 to sign these bills
With the California legislative cycle now complete, there are a number of bills on Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk. The governor has until September 30th to sign these bills into law. Below are 8 of many bills for which we have advocated and call on the governor to...
What a special morning hanging with @kamalaharris, @douglasemhoff, and @karenbassla (with a surprise visit by Olivia Pope herself, @kerrywashington)! We can all make a difference in this election, and use our vote! Have you voted yet? Let us know in the comments below! 🗳 #getoutthevote
It’s time! Election Day is here, so make sure you get to the polls, vote, and make your voices heard! #voteyourvalues
Election Day is tomorrow, but every day is Voting Day. LIKE this post if you've already voted or plan to vote tomorrow. And use our "I'm Voting My Values" sticker on your social media pages to encourage your community to vote their values. #electionday #elections #midterms #democracy #vote #govote #voting #gotv #getoutthevote #voter #votingrights
Election Day isn’t the only day to vote. It’s the last chance to vote! Mail in those ballots, head to the polls, it’s time to get out the vote! 🗳 #voteourvalues