Labor on the Bimah is a program that weaves together labor issues, social 

justice and Judaism, in an effort to bring meaning and reflection back into Labor Day. The program is a part of Labor in the Pulpits, an annual nationwide program of Interfaith Worker Justice that takes place on Labor Day Weekend. Each year, JUFJ supports dozens of local synagogues in reflecting on Judaism's commitment to justice and workers' rights. 

Congregations and local Hillels get involved by having speakers at Shabbat services, incorporating labor issues into sermons and Divrei Torah, and participating in community-wide Labor on the Bimah events such as an Interfaith Forum and Havdalah ceremony organized by JUFJ in conjunction with the Labor Day program. The effort is made possible every year through the dedication of JUFJ volunteers! 

This year we will be partnering with the Restaurant Opportunities Center 

to focus on the challenges facing restaurant workers, a theme that complements and enhances the Jewish community's current focus on food and sustainability issues.  In the modern restaurant industry, even here in the DC area, there are still many employees who do not receive the wages or sick leave they are legally entitled to, nor the vacation time and health insurance that they deserve.  Though many people enjoy the fantastic array of restaurant options in the DC area, these workers' struggles remain largely invisible to the average diner. 

This coming September, local rabbis, JUFJ volunteers and other community leaders will educate congregations and give them the tools they need to take action.  To learn more about restaurant worker injustice, click here.  To help JUFJ take action, contact Jessie Posilkin at Jessie@jufj.org.