Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh and Chairman Vince Gray have introduced the Healthy Schools Act of 2009.  This is a terrific bill that tackles obesity in DC school kids by raising nutritional standards, introducing locally-grown food to school meals, and expanding physical education.  It also expands gardening, recycling, composting, and other environmental programs in DC schools.  

Come share your views about this bill and how to make it better  next Wednesday, Feb 10 at 10AM at the DC Council hearing room (Room 412 of the John Wilson building, 1350 Pennsylvania Ave).  Learn more about it here.  

Dear friends,

We are now approaching the first anniversary of the Obama Inauguration, yet in communities across the United States, millions of people still live in fear everyday. These workers, sisters, fathers, children are under constant threat that any interaction with police-however minor-could lead to detention and even deportation.  We have watched incredulously as authorities have actually increased the number of workplace raids on immigrant workers, creating an atmosphere of terror throughout our communities.

We must act now-boldly-to put an end to these injustices.

Join us in action and prayer on Tuesday, January 26^th, in Washington, DC for a rally and demonstration in front of the Department of Homeland Security.  There you will be in unity with immigrant workers, faith leaders, labor activists and community leaders who will be calling on President Obama and his administration to simply do what is right, and:

1.       Immediately put an end to the deportation of persons with family in the US

Learn concrete tools for raising money from your base! Part of the Gerry Brittain Education Project, is an initiative of DC Jobs with Justice designed to strengthen local organizing and build power among working people in the District of Columbia. Pre-register online at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=bdAvdFc2_2bP7TBKN2m08OLA_3d_3d
A donation of $10 is requested, but no-one is turned away.

HEI Hotels and Resorts, owner of the Sheraton Crystal City, is one of the fastest growing hotel management companies in the US. While itowns a hotel, HEI employs a range of techniques to bring costs down.Employees have experienced reduced hours and layoffs, shortages in cleaning supplies and basic materials, and increased workloads -especially in housekeeping.

Now, HEI workers are fighting back! In February 2009, workers at the Sheraton Crystal City in Northern Virginia joined HEI workers at the Le Meridien in San Francisco and Hilton Long Beach in a national campaign for fairness. Supported by student activists and local community leaders, workers presented their general manager with a demand for a fair and democratic process for deciding whether to form a union, without management interference.

Our City Film Festival screens films that are about or take place in Washington, DC in order to bring communities together and promote pride in "our city".  This year's films range in topics from a man's love affair with the Anacostia River, to a biography on the famous DC chef, Nora Pouillon, to a feature documentary about the history of Go-Go music, to a short documentary about the history of Jewish Washingtonians.  There is something for everyone!  Check out a full listing here.  

Putting human rights back into Hanukah!
 
JUFJ will be a featured organization at the Hanukah Jazz Concert for Human Rights, this Sunday, December 13, from 4 - 6 PM at Temple Shalom in Chevy Chase (East West Highway and Grubb Road).  Sponsored by Am Kolel, the concert features Greg Wall and the Later Prophets, a phenomenal jazz band from NYC.   The concert this year is recognizing HIAS, Rabbis for Human Rights and Equality Maryland.  Drinks, latkes and sufganiot, and information about local nonprofits working on human rights issues will follow.  Come say hi and shmooze with the JUFJ volunteers who will be giving out information after the concert.
 
Tickets at the door:  $25 general public (includes reception), $20 Seniors, $10 Students

Join DC Clergy United for Marriage Equality and JUFJ in calling on the DC City Council to enact full marriage equality in 2009. 

Stand on the side of love at the Family, Faith, & Fairness  Rally for Marriage Equality at the Kennedy Recreation Center on Monday, 12/14, at 7:00 pm.  Rally will feature the voices of community activists, clergy leaders, local politicians, choirs and more. 

The Kennedy Rec Center is at 1410 7th St, NW, near the Mt. Vernon/Convention Center Metro stop.

To learn more about DC Clergy United, see their webpage here.

Join Moishe House Silver Spring and The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society as we Welcome the Stranger on Sunday, December 6, from 11am to 12:30pm

Welcome the Stranger is an interactive program that gets participants thinking about immigration from a historical and values perspective.  We will explore the history of immigration in our nation and among the Jewish people and learn about contemporary issues facing immigrants to America.   

The event is open to people of all ages - so come, and bring friends or family.  A brunch, featuring bagels and cream cheese, will be served.

Please contact Benjamin Bechtolsheim (BenBech@gmail.com) to RSVP or for more information.

You are cordially invited

DC Jobs with Justice Holiday Party

Friday, December 11th 2009.
7:00-10:30pm
~Reception: drinks and deserts~
~Film Shorts
~Music and dancing~

La Casa, 1436 Irving St NW
Washington, DC 20010

Suggested Donation: $10-$50, no one will be turned away

Host Committee: Arturo Griffiths, Carl Gentil, Dan Blumenthal, James Ploeser, Joseph Tso, Lelia Gomez, Linda Leaks, Mackenzie Baris, Rebecca Wasserman, Robert Mayfield,Ruth Castel-Branco, Severina Rivera, Tony Perez Walda Katz Fishman.

Ruth Castel-Branco
Organizer
DC Jobs With Justice

888 16th St, NW suite 520
Washington, DC 20006
(t): 202-974-8281
(f): 202-974-8152
www.dcjwj.org

Boards of Directors, Advisory Councils, Steering Committees: We've all heard about these forms of volunteer leadership before, but what do they really mean, and how do they help bring about social change?

Join us to hear Robert Eggers, Gabriela Schneider, and Shelley Moskowitz discuss the different ways they contribute to changing the world. You'll find out the most valued qualities they look for in board members and advisers, and how to find the right place for you to share your skills.

Robert Egger is the Founder and President of the DC Central Kitchen, the nation's first "community kitchen", where unemployed men and women learn marketable culinary skills while donated food is converted into balanced meals. Robert has been on the Non Profit Times "50 Most Powerful and Influential Nonprofit Leaders" list in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.

Gabriela Schneider is the Communications Director of the Sunlight Foundation. She has co-directed Net2SquaredDC: Where social change and technology Meetup.