Lara’s Desk
June 1, 2025
As an SPA, it’s part of my role to attend this bi-annual conference—and honestly, it’s always a meaningful experience. Yes, it’s about norms and advocacy, but just as importantly, it’s about coming together around our shared Jewish values. Those values ground everything we do, especially when we’re out there advocating. And of course, personal stories help bring it all to life—they give our work color and depth.
Massachusetts had a crew of three representing, and we’ve all been in the game a long time. Two of us are either current or former board members. I also ran into so many familiar faces—like a member who advocates with Florida’s group but summers in Rockport (small world!), my fellow SPAs from across the country, and many others. I also got to meet new folks from Florida, New Orleans, Kentucky, and Rochester, NY. And the St. Louis section showed up strong—they were there to accept an award and brought great energy.
A personal highlight? I got to catch up with my high school friend, who’s now the Executive Director in New York. Such a great full-circle moment.
NCJW also brought out the big names: Senators Cory Booker and Chuck Schumer, Angela Ferrell-Zabala from Moms Demand Action, plus a powerful screening of Colleyville followed by a conversation with Rabbi Charlie Cytron-Walker, filmmaker Dani Menkin, and Stephanie Viegas from the Secure Community Network. So inspiring.
And we heard about what’s ahead for NCJW. The new structure is designed to help us grow: organizing more effectively, advocating on a broader scale, and building stronger leadership both locally and nationally. It’s all about moving the movement forward. We’re not just doing this for us—we’re building for the generations to come.
As our sages remind us: “It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.”
(Pirkei Avot 2:16)
Here’s to starting again—together. NCJW Forward.
May 1, 2025
Later this month NCJW advocates from around the country and globe will be meeting in Washington. For the Massachusetts contingency, we’ve got meetings set up with Senator Warren and Markey and will be discussing a myriad of topics.
NCJW will advocate for three critical bills that advance our mission:
- Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, to address America’s maternal health crisis;
- John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, to restore and strengthen the Voting Rights Act; and
- American Family Act, to reduce child poverty and support working families.
ICYMI: Pre-Trainings for Lobby Visits:
- Learn how to make the most of your meetings on Capitol Hill by viewing our Lobby Visit Training.
- Get your first deep dive into the key issues we’ll be advocating for in DC by watching our Lobby Issues Training.
Other ways to get Involved:
Let us know if you’re interested in advocating for State or Federal programs. Maybe you have time to represent us on coalition calls? Representing NCJW on coalition calls is a good way to slowly get involved because it lets you ease into a cause without taking on too much responsibility right away. You can start by observing, learning how things work, meeting people, and finding out where your skills fit best. Coalitions often have a variety of activities and roles, so you can choose small tasks at first and build up your involvement as you get more comfortable and confident. We could really use your help!
We’ll be having two more membership meetings before we break for the summer. I hope you can join us on May 14 and June 11. Find out more and register here:
March 9, 2025
Purim starts this Thursday night. It falls on the calendar as the last full moon before Pesach. During the entire month of Adar we read a separate maftir. This past week’s Parshat Zachor, moves us in time and away from a time roughly one year after the Exodus when we are learning how to create the vestments and build the mishkan in which to pray, to learning about holiness and some principles of prayer. Lo and behold in the midst of it, we then make the switch to Purim and the obligation to remember Amalek – a call to action- Do Not Forget!
A Time to Remember, A Time to Celebrate
The construction of the Tabernacle was a time of immense joy—a moment of unity and divine connection. In stark contrast, the destruction commemorated on Tisha B’Av is a period of deep mourning. This contrast has led our sages to emphasize the significance of Adar as a month of joy and celebration.
This past week’s Torah portion carried a powerful message:
“Remember what Amalek did to you on your journey from Egypt—how they attacked you when you were weary and exhausted, striking down those who lagged behind” (Devarim 25:17).
This call to remembrance resonates deeply.
YOU ARE INVITED TO REMEMBER!
📅 Wednesday, March 12
⏰ 7:30 PM
📍 NCJW MA Membership Meeting (Register Here)
The Rambam teaches that the reason we are commanded to “remember what Amalek did” is to “verbally arouse people to fight against them.” The mitzvah of remembering Amalek’s actions is a personal obligation—one that calls us to reflect on its meaning in every generation.
What does Amalek represent in our world today? How do we fulfill this commandment in modern times?
Join us as we explore these questions together. Let’s remember, reflect, and take action.
February 17, 2025
The advocates of NCJW are hard at work organizing, mobilizing and educating. With more hands we are able to cover more of what is happening so this month’s updates are about the advocates out there doing the work.
Elizabeth G. a member originally from New Jersey, is pursuing her career in the legal profession having a law degree from 2022. She is passionate about holding the line on civil rights and representing the jewish values around a diverse coalition advocaing for the passage of Location Shield Act: Reps Lipper Garabedien and Vieira and Senator Creem filed the version of the bill that was reported out of committee last session. This is the version that is 100 percent backed by the AG’s office.
The Location Shield Act (SD501/HD2965), formally titled An Act to protect safety and privacy by stopping the sale of location data) would prohibit companies from selling, leasing, trading, or renting our location information. Every day, unregulated data brokers buy and sell personal location data from apps on our cellphones, revealing where we live, work, and play. This allows people to be individually tracked and puts all of us at risk.
Senate Bill https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/SD501
House Bill https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/HD2965
Find out who has co-sponsored already so you can either “thank them” or “petition them”
House Representatives: https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/HD2965
Here is the draft language to write or call: https://1drv.ms/w/c/c2bb6116d36a2f79/EYgDGSdUkEFBtwWBcoNb9m8BH66SRWslwaOJN96iB8VpiQ?e=K7wvaB
