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'Having the hard conversation: Muslim-Jewish dialogue after Oct. 7
Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz and Dr. Mehnaz Afridi held an online discussion titled, “Bridging Faiths: Jewish-Muslim Collaboration for Democracy and Tolerance,” on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz and Dr. Mehnaz Afridi held an online discussion titled, “Bridging Faiths: Jewish-Muslim Collaboration for Democracy and Tolerance,” on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
'I'm not willing to give up on democracy,' RAC rabbi tells Phoenix gathering
Rabbi Jonah Pesner presented in front of a live audience at Temple Chai in Phoenix and to participants on Zoom.
Rabbi Jonah Pesner presented in front of a live audience at Temple Chai in Phoenix and to participants on Zoom.
'Bring Them Home' rally in Scottsdale follows murder of six hostages
Following the murder of six hostages in Gaza, Arizona Jews for Justice (AJJ) organized a “Bring Them Home” rally on the morning of Sept. 6 on the corner of Scottsdale and Thunderbird Roads in Scottsdale.
Following the murder of six hostages in Gaza, Arizona Jews for Justice (AJJ) organized a “Bring Them Home” rally on the morning of Sept. 6 on the corner of Scottsdale and Thunderbird Roads in Scottsdale.
Phoenix senior does deep dive on Prop. 137
Judy Schaffert talked extensively about the ramifications of Proposition 137 during a virtual event for Arizona Jews for Justice.
Judy Schaffert talked extensively about the ramifications of Proposition 137 during a virtual event for Arizona Jews for Justice.
Teens talk to other teens about antisemitism
We are delighted to uplight the leadership of local young Jewish leaders to become champions against hate and bigotry while they continue to advocate for a just society.
We are delighted to uplight the leadership of local young Jewish leaders to become champions against hate and bigotry while they continue to advocate for a just society.
Some Jews keep a place empty at Seder tables for a jailed journalist in Russia
"We have seen tyrants," Yanklowitz said. "We have seen tyrants since Pharaoh all the way up to our time with Putin. And these are tyrants that will only stop with pressure and with strong global advocacy."
"We have seen tyrants," Yanklowitz said. "We have seen tyrants since Pharaoh all the way up to our time with Putin. And these are tyrants that will only stop with pressure and with strong global advocacy."
Report shows increase in antisemitism across the country
“These types of hate acts have huge repercussions for how the community feels here,” said Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz. “What we know is that these types of hate messages ultimately lead toward violence. So we have to name them and counter them right away.”
“These types of hate acts have huge repercussions for how the community feels here,” said Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz. “What we know is that these types of hate messages ultimately lead toward violence. So we have to name them and counter them right away.”
'Celebration of Jewish resilience': Hanukkah endures amid rise in antisemitism
"Oil expected to last one night burned for eight as Maccabee Jews in 164 B.C. revolted against their Syrian-Greek oppressors.
For Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz, the enduring light shining through the darkness of those eight nights is emblematic of the Jewish spirit and the core of Hanukkah."
"Oil expected to last one night burned for eight as Maccabee Jews in 164 B.C. revolted against their Syrian-Greek oppressors.
For Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz, the enduring light shining through the darkness of those eight nights is emblematic of the Jewish spirit and the core of Hanukkah."
Arizona rabbi organizes Thanksgiving dinner for refugees from other parts of the world
"For many people, Thanksgiving is just a time for family. What we realize, with some of our family being distant and wanting the holiday to not just be about us, that who would be the best people to invite, people who don't have a family to turn to and that would be the refugee community," said Rabbi Yanklowitz."
"For many people, Thanksgiving is just a time for family. What we realize, with some of our family being distant and wanting the holiday to not just be about us, that who would be the best people to invite, people who don't have a family to turn to and that would be the refugee community," said Rabbi Yanklowitz."
AJJ’s big humanitarian bus brings toys, aid and experience
"One very big, red and yellow bus, emblazoned with the words “Let’s Be Better Humans,” is parked outside of Arizona Jews for Justice’s (AJJ) Phoenix office, and it might be just the thing to help the organization get to the next level of its humanitarian work."
"One very big, red and yellow bus, emblazoned with the words “Let’s Be Better Humans,” is parked outside of Arizona Jews for Justice’s (AJJ) Phoenix office, and it might be just the thing to help the organization get to the next level of its humanitarian work."
Six Greater Phoenix rabbis, other clergy highlight Arizona’s ‘draconian’ abortion bans
"The morning’s prayer circle, which included six local rabbis representing Reform, Conservative and Orthodox perspectives, was to call attention to the Civil War-era abortion ban, which was put into effect Sept. 23. This ban outlaws all abortions in the state, except when the life of the mother is at risk, which is left to a doctor’s “good faith clinical judgment” and has caused much confusion and consternation among doctors, hospitals and pregnant people."
"The morning’s prayer circle, which included six local rabbis representing Reform, Conservative and Orthodox perspectives, was to call attention to the Civil War-era abortion ban, which was put into effect Sept. 23. This ban outlaws all abortions in the state, except when the life of the mother is at risk, which is left to a doctor’s “good faith clinical judgment” and has caused much confusion and consternation among doctors, hospitals and pregnant people."
Rally for asylum seekers outside the ICE offices in Phoenix
Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz speaks during a rally for asylum seekers outside the ICE offices in Phoenix on March 22, 2022. They are demanding the Biden Administration end Title 42 and stop holding asylum seekers illegally in Mexico.
Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz speaks during a rally for asylum seekers outside the ICE offices in Phoenix on March 22, 2022. They are demanding the Biden Administration end Title 42 and stop holding asylum seekers illegally in Mexico.
Worried about climate, Jewish activists attempt to sway Sinema
Worried about climate, Jewish activists attempt to sway SinemaArizona Jews for Justice organized a rally, Hear the Call: Jews for a Just Recovery Package, outside of U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s office at 3333 E. Camelback Rd. The event’s goal was to convince the moderate Democrat to vote yes on reconciliation package — “with not a penny less.” Their clarion call: “Climate, care, jobs and justice now!”
on Sept. 12, 2021.
Worried about climate, Jewish activists attempt to sway SinemaArizona Jews for Justice organized a rally, Hear the Call: Jews for a Just Recovery Package, outside of U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s office at 3333 E. Camelback Rd. The event’s goal was to convince the moderate Democrat to vote yes on reconciliation package — “with not a penny less.” Their clarion call: “Climate, care, jobs and justice now!”
on Sept. 12, 2021.
Arizona Jews for Justice march with interfaith partners for progressive causes
"Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, founder of Arizona Jews for Justice, and six of the organization’s members joined Revs. Jesse Jackson, Dr. William J. Barber II and Transformative Justice Coalition President Barbara Arnwine in a march and sit-in at U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s Phoenix office on Monday, July 26.
"Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, founder of Arizona Jews for Justice, and six of the organization’s members joined Revs. Jesse Jackson, Dr. William J. Barber II and Transformative Justice Coalition President Barbara Arnwine in a march and sit-in at U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s Phoenix office on Monday, July 26.
Jewish community ‘on the ground’ with humanitarian support for asylum seekers
"AJJ has focused on immigration efforts since its founding in 2013. Chavez Calderon was hired in 2018, just before a surge in asylum seekers brought renewed interest in the border. The group advocates for the humane treatment of migrants and has led protests outside of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s headquarters in Phoenix to demand humanitarian medical care."
"AJJ has focused on immigration efforts since its founding in 2013. Chavez Calderon was hired in 2018, just before a surge in asylum seekers brought renewed interest in the border. The group advocates for the humane treatment of migrants and has led protests outside of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s headquarters in Phoenix to demand humanitarian medical care."
Demonstrators in Downtown Phoenix call for
immigration reform
The rally was organized by Arizona Jews for Justice, which looks to mobilize the Jewish community toward progressive action in the Valley and Arizona as a whole.
"We are here to support our undocumented communities," Chavez said. "We are here to make sure that folks understand that we are tired of the same narrative that pushes migration as some sort of illegal, horrific thing.
"We want to change the narrative of migration being a crisis. The crisis isn’t in migration, our response is a crisis of how we dehumanize people, how we look at people as less than."
immigration reform
The rally was organized by Arizona Jews for Justice, which looks to mobilize the Jewish community toward progressive action in the Valley and Arizona as a whole.
"We are here to support our undocumented communities," Chavez said. "We are here to make sure that folks understand that we are tired of the same narrative that pushes migration as some sort of illegal, horrific thing.
"We want to change the narrative of migration being a crisis. The crisis isn’t in migration, our response is a crisis of how we dehumanize people, how we look at people as less than."
COVID-19 changes celebration of Purim, beginning Thursday evening, for Jewish communities
"We think the big mitzvah opportunity this year is with matanot l'evyonim ... because people are struggling so much with unemployment and poverty," said Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz, president and dean of Valley Beit Midrash, an organization that provides learning, leadership and social justice opportunities to the community."We think the big mitzvah opportunity this year is with matanot l'evyonim ... because people are struggling so much with unemployment and poverty," said Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz, president and dean of Valley Beit Midrash, an organization that provides learning, leadership and social justice opportunities to the community.
"We think the big mitzvah opportunity this year is with matanot l'evyonim ... because people are struggling so much with unemployment and poverty," said Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz, president and dean of Valley Beit Midrash, an organization that provides learning, leadership and social justice opportunities to the community."We think the big mitzvah opportunity this year is with matanot l'evyonim ... because people are struggling so much with unemployment and poverty," said Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz, president and dean of Valley Beit Midrash, an organization that provides learning, leadership and social justice opportunities to the community.
Arizona Jews for Justice’s young organizers take on old issues - Jewish News of Greater Phoenix - February 2021
Phoenix-area Jewish leaders anticipate changes in Biden administration - Jewish News of Greater Phoenix - January 2021
Biden’s first day brings immigration reforms, but AZ leaders will push for more - AZ Mirror - January 2021
Donations from Phoenix Jewish community head to Mexican border - Jewish News of Greater Phoenix - December 2020
Arizona Jews for Justice leads pandemic relief effort - Arizona Republic- November 2020
Advocating for voters as a DACA recipient - Cronkite News - November 2020
Jewish Arizonans partner with national org in environmental campaign - Phoenix Jewish News - October 2020
Greater Phoenix remembers Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg - Phoenix Jewish News - September 2020
Eddie Chavez Calderon on Brad Show Live | September 22, 2020
Vigil held at Arizona State Capitol to honor Ruth Bader Ginsburg - 12News NBC - September 2020
Join Jewish teens in standing up for Jews of color - Jewish News of Greater Phoenix - August 2020
"This is about revolution both morally and communal..." - ABC News - August 2020
The tradition I carry on is… PBS - August 2020
Trump put migrant kids in hotels before vanishing them. That should terrify everyone - Arizona Republic - July 2020
Advocates want action from Sen. Kyrsten Sinema on detained migrant children - Arizona Republic - July 2020
In wake of protests, local Jewish orgs show support for black community.
Campaign stop in Phoenix for President Trump draws large crowds of supporters - Northeast Valley News - February 2020
Pro-refugee resolution passes Arizona Senate after push from local activists - Cronkite News - February 2020
Protests planned for Trump rally in Phoenix at coliseum - February 2020
Arizona Jews for Justice, a Jewish social justice organization, will be joining Puente for the "Reject Hate" protest and march... "Our faith drives us to be people who stand up for the morality of what’s right," Eddie Chavez Calderon said. "The Jewish people know what it feels like to be marginalized and oppressed."
Arizona Jews for Justice, a Jewish social justice organization, will be joining Puente for the "Reject Hate" protest and march... "Our faith drives us to be people who stand up for the morality of what’s right," Eddie Chavez Calderon said. "The Jewish people know what it feels like to be marginalized and oppressed."
Arizona Jews for Justice honors pastor, state rep as allies - Jewish News of Greater Phoenix -
January 2020
January 2020
Arizona Jews for Justice and AZ Resist host vigil outside of ICE field office - Downtown Devil - December 2019
"We now see that in this upcoming holiday season, ICE has ripped away families and has not allowed them to spend their holiday season with family members,” said Eddie Chavez, who is the campaign organizer for Arizona Jews for Justice.
"We now see that in this upcoming holiday season, ICE has ripped away families and has not allowed them to spend their holiday season with family members,” said Eddie Chavez, who is the campaign organizer for Arizona Jews for Justice.
Interfaith vigil held after mass shooting - Phoenix Jewish News - August 2019
'We must demand change': Phoenix leaders call for action at vigil honoring shooting victims - Arizona Republic - August 2019
Watch HERE
Watch HERE
Lights For Liberty Candlelight Vigil - North East Valley News - July 2019
Progressive Churches Challenge the Hard-Line Conservative Evangelical Narrative on Immigration - REAL News Network
- July 2019
- July 2019
Immigration Detention Center Conditions Cause Massive Outcry - REAL News Network - July 2019
More Details Emerge About Horrible Conditions at Immigration Detention Centers - REAL News Network - July 2019
Trump Is Dumping Asylum Seekers on American Streets—but Solidarity Activists Are Fighting Back - The Nation - July 2019
Phoenix groups denounce border and immigration detention conditions - AZ Daily Mirror - July 2019
Arizona se suma al llamado para cerrar centros de detención - Telemundo - July 2019
Fred Barlam, a member of Arizona Jews For Justice's Steering Committee & the Co-Chair of Arizona Jews for Justice's Voter Registration Committee, speaks against police brutality! - June 2019 - 12 News Phoenix
New generation of dreamers gears up for fights, hopes for wins - June 2019 - Arizona Mirror
Jewish social justice groups hold rally at ICE field office, protest deaths of six children - Jewish News of Greater Phoenix -
June 2019
June 2019
"Welcoming the stranger with hot food, scissors and applause" - LA Times - June 2019
Migrants Stranded By ICE Get Help From Underground Network - AJ+ - May 2019
Jewish volunteers assist asylum seekers - Jewish News of Greater Phoenix - May 2019
B’nai David-Judea Brings Aid to Arizona Asylum-Seekers - Jewish Journal - Jan. 2019
Arizona Jews for Justice Helps Asylum Seekers Released from Detention Centers - Jewish News of Greater Phoenix - Jan. 2019
Despite the recent hate crime attacks, the Phoenix community stays unified - State Press - Oct. 2018
Rallying Against Trump, These Are Not Your Parents’ Orthodox Rabbis - Ha'aretz - Aug. 2018
Welcoming The Stranger Is A Core Principle Of Judaism - New York Jewish Week - June 2018
Valley Jewish groups stand in solidarity with Dreamers - Cronkite News - March 2018
Arizona Jewish Groups Rally Today to Support Dreamers - Public News Service - Feb. 2018
Passover guides serve up a side of social justice for the seder table - Times of Israel - March 2017
Jewish Groups’ Efforts to Help Refugees Continue - Jewish News of Greater Phoenix - Feb. 2017
A Call to Welcome Refugees - Jewish News of Greater Phoenix - Nov. 2016