This post includes contributions from Heidi Rhodes and Karen Caplan, two JUFJ Montgomery County leaders.
Last week we joined with partners led by the Silver Spring Justice Coalition for a Car Rally in Silver Spring. The rally was a call for justice for Finan Berhe, a black man recently killed by a Montgomery County police officer in Silver Spring, as well as George Floyd, and the countless other Black people whose lives have been taken by police violence.
Hundreds joined the rally in peaceful protest with cars decked out with signs advocating for justice and an end to police violence. Participants were moved and energized by the many neighbors coming out in support. Here are some first-hand accounts of our JUFJ leaders who attended:
I was amazed at the sheer number of cars involved. There must have been hundreds. My other impression was the people outside their homes cheering us on and taking pictures with their phones. They looked both surprised and pleased at what we were doing as we turned into the circle in front of the police station.
– Heidi Rhodes
It was exhilarating and reassuring. Turnout was more than I expected. The caravan was amazing—even in our cars it felt like we were a community coming together. We got such fantastic support from people driving by. This moment feels like it could be a turning point and we need to keep pushing to bring as many people as possible on board!
– Karen Caplan
Working in partnership with Black organizers and leaders, we are working to seize the energy of this moment, reimagine our statewide policing coalition and agenda, and hold legislators and those in power accountable for the harm and violence perpetrated by police. Join us in this work!
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Meet the Moment: A Post-Election Processing and Actions Space
November 12 | 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm
JUFJ leaders and supporters are invited to gather to discuss the election results, how our communities are being impacted, and how you can take action in support of democracy as well as our and our partners’ safety and rights as residents of our region.
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Maryland Statewide Working Groups Meeting
November 19 | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Join us for our first ever Maryland Statewide Working Groups Meeting! We will begin this Zoom meeting all together, and then you will choose a breakout room for one of the working groups (Housing Justice, Economic Justice, and Youth Justice) to learn about the campaign and what actions you can take….
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Montgomery County Racial Equity and Policing Team Meeting
December 3 | 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Jewish sacred texts declare that destroying even one life is akin to destroying a whole world. But here in Montgomery County, lives are destroyed every day, especially Black and brown lives, by our systems of policing and school discipline. Join us for our next team meeting to discuss ongoing campai…
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2024 Heschel Vision Awards
December 8 | 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
The Heschel Vision Awards is JUFJ’s largest event of the year, and this year’s celebration will take place on Sunday, December 8 at 5:00 PM at Third Space at Shaarei Tfiloh in Baltimore, MD. Join us to celebrate a decade of organizing in Baltimore, the leadership of this year’s honorees, and v…