Progressive Jews across the country are energized for the change arriving in just a few days in Washington, and the Avodah/AJWS Partnership (a league of superheroes if there ever was one) is organizing gatherings in three cities with local Jewish social justice groups.
Join a discussion on the new opportunities and challenges that face our tikun olam campaigns & causes, experience a special havdala service, watch the Inauguration Day events on a big screen, or just celebrate with your friends, family, and compatriots who are working to make the world a better place. See you at the celebrations!
 

If you’re in DC..  

 “Cashing in on the Change: Inauguration Celebration”
(Avodah/AJWS, Jews United for Justice, Tikkun Leil Shabbat)
Time: Saturday, January 17th 2008
Place: The Theatre at Mt. Vernon Methodist Church.  A map is here.
RSVP: Click here.
We’re kicking off the night with a powerful Havdalah service led by Tikkun Leil Shabbat, to be followed by a panel and discussion about what the future may hold with a few Jewish Justice All-stars, including:
+ Ronit Avni, founder of Just Vision, which supports Israeli and Palestinian non-violent civic peace builders through media and education.
+ Ben Brandzel, formerly of MoveOn.org and now an online organizing consultant for progressive organizations such as SEIU and Avaaz.org.
+ Saul Garlick, founder of Student Movement for Real Change, supporting young people in their work for sustainable international development.
 

If you’re in NYC..

 “INAUGURATION CELEBRATION!”
(AJWS/AVODAH, the AJWS/AVODAH NY City Team, the New Israel Fund’s New Generations, the Young Leaders of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society)
At this Inauguration Celebration, we will:
+ Watch footage of President Barack Obama’s swearing in and his inaugural address, as well as other highlights from the inauguration festivities.
+ Party with our change-making friends in the Jewish social justice community and beyond.
+ Set our intentions for holding the new president accountable to his change-making agenda!
Mostly, we will celebrate new beginnings, together and in community.
Time: Tuesday, January 20th @ 7pm
Location: Sounds of Brazil (commonly known as SOB’s)
Address: 204 Varick Street in Manhattan
Cost: Free!
To register (requested): Click here.
The event is being presented in collaboration with SOB’s Party for Change, the info for which can be found here.
 

If you’re in SF..

“100 Days, 100 Ways”
(AJWS/AVODAH, Progressive Jewish Alliance)
Next week a new administration will take office, and in the first 100 days President-elect Barack Obama will begin laying out his plan. In this historic political moment, what’s YOUR vision for change and what will you do to help make it a reality?
Join:
+ Ben Winig, Municipal Attorney and Jewish Vote Deputy Director for Obama Campaign, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (who will be arriving from the Inauguration)
+ Sarah Church, Program Director, Progressive Jewish Alliance
+ Rabbi Lee Bycel, Western Region Executive Director, American Jewish World Service
…and a community of socially-conscious Jewish folks for a night of reflecting, strategizing, connecting and taking action. Whether this year’s election countdown had you phone banking, door knocking, or just glued to CNN, take time to reexamine your role in your community, your country and your world.
REFLECT on the elections ~~ DREAM BIG about your vision for a more equitable world ~~ CONNECT with people and projects that are working to create a more socially just and caring society ~~ ACT in new ways big and small that promote tikkun olam ~~ BUILD a movement of social change makers working on critical issues, from prison reform to climate change!
 
Time: January 22, 2009. 7-9 pm
Place: The Women’s Building, 3543 18th Street, SF.
RSVP and questions to [email protected].