Related Blog Posts on Civil Liberties, Voting Rights, Balfour/Brickner Fellows, and Strengthening Congregations

As a New US Citizen, I Know Won’t Take Voting Rights for Granted

Rabbi Esther L. Lederman
The use of executive power to protect our right to vote has never been more important: over 400 anti-voter bills have been introduced around the country in 2021 alone.  Examples include the elimination of polling locations, reducing early voting, and enacting stricter voter ID laws.  Some laws sink to new lows, including the banning of providing food and drink to those standing in line to vote, many of whom wait for hours.  

NFTY Teens Advocate at Texas Capitol for Voting Rights

Cameron Samuels
On Monday, Democratic state legislators in Texas walked out of the capitol building and flew to Washington, DC aboard private jets. This move broke the quorum of the Texas House, currently preventing the legislature from effectively operating, and consequently, from passing Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 3 which would restrict the freedom to vote.

From Immigration to Parole Reform, RAC State Projects Secure Racially Just Policies

Katie Wysong
In April, when the Reform movement launched its Racial Justice Campaign, Reform leaders were already advocating for racially just policies across several states. Each of the eight RAC state projects from California to New Jersey has launched its own legislative campaign focused on racial justice. Reform leaders in four of these states have succeeded in securing crucial legislation that will advance racial justice or defeating harmful legislation alongside diverse coalition partners.