We express our anger and disappointment at Mayor de Blasio’s scapegoating the Jewish community in response to the funeral of Rabbi Chaim Mertz . In the midst of an historic wave of antisemitic hate violence in New York City, our community has been feeling the pain of being singled out and blamed for the spread of this deadly disease.
DetailsActs of police violence we have witnessed in the streets of New York, Buffalo, and elsewhere in New York this past week demand that we shine the brightest possible light on the culture and actions of law enforcement in the state. We strongly support legislation that forms the rest of the SAFER NY Act and that will account for discriminatory policing through increased reporting practices and strengthening prosecutorial oversight of police misconduct.
DetailsWe are rabbis and other Jewish religious leaders representing every movement of Judaism, who stand in support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio for using data-driven, geographically-based efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. We condemn the lack of compliance with public health directives and recent violent reactions from some individuals within the Orthodox Jewish community to enforcement of those mandates.
DetailsThe New York Jewish Agenda and the African American Clergy and Elected Officials Coalition released a joint statement: “We were profoundly disturbed to see the news reports and video of an NYPD officer using physical force against African-American men to enforce social distancing rules on the Lower East Side of Manhattan on Saturday. On the very same afternoon, New York’s parks were filled with individuals, mostly white, who disregarded social distancing rules without police intervention.”
DetailsNiou reiterates BDS support at NY-10 forum. The other seven candidates opposed the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement against Israel.
DetailsSharon Kleinbaum, Senior Rabbi at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah and Co-Founder and Board Member of New York Jewish Agenda appears in City & State New York’s 2020 Pride Power 100 List.
DetailsCNN reports on NYJA’s letter to Mayor de Blasio with other Jewish organizations and community leaders.
DetailsMore than 350 people registered for the event and many hundreds more watched the livestream. We were thrilled that all eight candidates who are actively campaigning for Congress participated in in the forum.
DetailsBail reform has worked, lowering the number of individuals in pretrial detention. During our current public health crisis, in which social distancing is paramount, bail reform helps reduce crowding in our jails and can save lives. At a time of crisis, while attention is diverted elsewhere, and while limiting population density is key, we should not make changes that would put or keep more people in jail, especially those who are at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.
DetailsThe Forward reports on NYJA’s letter to Gov. Cuomo with 100 other Jewish organizations and leaders urging him not to undo the state’s bail reform law.
DetailsThis article, written by Molly Boigon, appeared in The Forward as a News item. The article notes NYJA’s support for efforts by New York State Attorney General Letitia James to look into reports of unequal enforcement by the NYPD of social-distancing requirements due to coronavirus.
DetailsAs we at NYJA prepare to close the book on 5780, we are taking a moment to thank you for your support, reflect on the impact we’ve had so far, and strategize about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
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