President Trump:

Yesterday, a gunman slaughtered 11 Americans during Shabbat morning services. We mourn with the victims’ families and pray for the wounded. Here in Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood, we express gratitude for the first responders and for the outpouring of support from our neighbors near and far. We are committed to healing as a community while we recommit ourselves to repairing our nation.

For the past three years your words and your policies have emboldened a growing white nationalist movement. You yourself called the murderer evil, but yesterday’s violence is the direct culmination of your influence.

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Letter to President Trump from Pittsburgh Jewish Leaders

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15  |  7pm

1434 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena, CA 91107

From Ferguson, to Baltimore, to Los Angeles, to NFL football games, the issue of police brutality and racial profiling has ignited a national debate and a grassroots movement for reform. Pasadena is not immune to this problem. A recent incident—the unwarranted and brutal beating of Chris Ballew by two Pasadena police officers—has triggered a local campaign to
address the Pasadena Police Department’s use-of-force practices and policies and to engage the new interim police chief in constructive discussion.

PJTC’s Social Justice Committee sponsors a discussion of police accountability in Pasadena. Speakers include local filmmaker/journalist James Farr who will screen his short documentary about the Ballew incident and local NAACP leader and civil rights lawyer Skip Hickambottom.

RSVP HERE

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14  |  9:45am

1434 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena, CA 91107

This bagel breakfast will feature expert commentary on the upcoming midterm elections from Dr. Raphael Sonenshein, Executive Director of the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at Cal State Los Angeles, as well as an informed look at the pros and cons of key ballot measures by Robbie Davis and Felicia Williams from the League of Women Voters. Actor and political activist  Barry Gordon will moderate the event.

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On June 30, people are rallying in Pasadena, Los Angeles, and across the country to tell Donald Trump and his administration to stop separating kids from their parents!

Trump and his administration have been systematically criminalizing immigration and immigrants, from revoking Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) to ramping up intimidating ICE tactics.

Join us on June 30 to send a clear message to Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress:
Families Belong Together! 

FAMILIES BELONG TOGETHER
LOS ANGELES
SATURDAY JUNE 30 | 11am
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
RSVP & MORE INFO HERE

FAMILIES BELONG TOGETHER
PASADENA
SATURDAY JUNE 30 | 12PM
Pasadena City College
1570 E Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91106
RSVP & MORE INFO HERE

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Addressing Homelessness

SUNDAY APRIL 29
10am–12pm

How many homeless are there in our community? Who are they? What is being done to reduce homelessness? What does the future look like? Does PJTC have a role to play?

Join us for a bagel breakfast where community representatives including Anne Lansing of the City of Pasadena, Stephanie Harris of Union Station Homeless Services, Rev. Donna Byrns of Friends in Deed, and Dorothy Edwards of Housing Works will outline current efforts and community needs to mitigate the crisis and provide long term solutions.
FREE

RVSP at FACEBOOK 

or at pjtcsocialjustice@gmail.com

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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13  |  7:30–9pm

1434 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena, CA 91107

Join us for a conversation with Ronald Brownstein, one of America’s most respected political analysts, for a discussion about  America’s current political condition and the prospects for Democrats and Republicans in this year’s mid-term elections.  A two-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of presidential campaigns, Brownstein was the National Affairs Columnist for the Los Angeles Times.  He is currently a contributor to the National Journal, The Atlantic, and other publications and a senior political analyst for CNN.

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TUESDAY, DECEMBER 5 | 7:30–9pm
1434 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena, CA 91107

The children of undocumented immigrants face special challenges that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) order addressed. Since DACA was rescinded by the current administration, these immigrants face deportation to countries they have never known, lose their rights to schooling and work, and face the loss of their ability to contribute to our society as taxpayers, skilled workers, professionals, and important leaders in our communities. Dreamer families face uncertainty and fear every day, leading to reduced reporting of crime and life-saving medical intervention.

Join us as we hear from Angelica Salas , Executive Director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Los Angeles (CHIRLA) and Dreamers such as Melody Minuet Klingenfuss, statewide organizer for CHIRLA, about their aspirations and the challenges faced by the DACA community. Learn what we can do to help advance their participation in the American Dream.

RSVP HERE

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An update from Social Justice Committee member Martha Ruffman:

The drive was a big success! We filled 27 boxes and delivered them to the families in El Cajon who were very happy to receive so many household cleaning supplies.  I wish very much each of you could have sat and had tea and cookies with one of the Syrian couples and their three little boys, as Karen Gross and I were able to do.  It was a real privilege and boosted my energy and desire to be of service as best I can be gong forward.
bagelbreakfast
Thank you to all who attended the October 29 bagel breakfast with Kristin Burke, founder of Second Families—a grass-roots organization connecting refugee families with American families. Follow Second Families on Facebook to stay updated and get involved in their work.
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WE WERE ONCE STRANGERS

Social Justice Committee member Michael Several shares this history of the Pasadena Jewish community and their engagement with refugees…

Before America entered World War II, the Pasadena Jewish community began a tradition of not standing idly by with indifference toward the plight of refugees. Over the years the community has taken action giving life to the repeated Biblical reminder and admonishment that we must welcome and love the stranger because we were also strangers in a foreign land.

Continue reading “WE WERE ONCE STRANGERS” →

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