The hard work being done by coalition partners across Massachusetts to promote green jobs, is beginning to have national impact.  This week, The Nation reports that while national politicians are giving a lot of lip service to green jobs, Massachusetts is THE state where community organizations are blazing a strategic path that promotes both job growth for low income communities and the reversal of environmental degradation.  In addition, a recent study comparing energy policies in each state noted that Massachusetts is a national innovator in creating policies to increase demand for green energy and using this demand to increase green job growth.  Congratulations to the Green Justice Coalition and Community Labor United, Boston for your great work and national leadership.

Click Here to see The Nation article

Click Here to see the Build Clean Energy Report studying each U.S. state.

Upcoming Events (Details of each event at Read More and on our Environmental Justice Task Force page):

JALSA Program:  Friday; October 29:  12:30-1:30PM  First Friday Speaker Edith Murnane, First Ever Boston Food Policy Director JALSA Office.  RSVP jalsaoffice@gmail.com

JALSA Program: Friday, November 12: 12:30-1:30. First Friday Speaker Gus Schumacher, chairman of Wholesome Wavy speaking on “Prescription Vegetables” JALSA Office.  RSVP jalsaoffice@gmail.com

Community Events:

Saturday, Sept.25, 10AM-2PM. Codman Square Energy Fair. Second Church in Dorchester, 600 Washington Street.  If  you have green information, products or services write to otoney@juno.com

Wednesday, Sept. 29, 6-8PM, Film and Panel Discussion on “Food Sustainability”. Suffolk University Sustainability Program,.  Suffolk University, Amenities Conference Room, 73 Tremont.

Thursday, October 7: 1-2:30PM, “Exploring the effects of the Gulf Oil Spill”, Suffolk University. Munce Conference Room, Archer Building, 20 Derne Street. Lunch will be provided.  Sign up by Oct 1.to greensuffolku@gmail.com

Read more…

JALSA is concerned about the continuing escalation of rhetoric and violence against Muslim centers of worship around the country.  Arson, physical attacks, and graffiti cannot be explained by concerns about the feelings of families of Ground Zero victims.  Right wing commentators and political activists are drumming up the level of rhetoric for their own ends.  This is not in keeping with American traditions of freedom of religious worship, a constitutional liberty that has provided the Jewish community great protection.

Listen to report by Rachel Maddow.

Ballot Question #2 puts affordable housing at risk in Massachusetts.

40B Statute is essential at protecting the building of affordable housing in all communities.  This proposed ballot initiative would repeal this affordable housing law, the single most effective tool in creating affordable housing in the state.  This law allows the development of affordable housing in communities that really need it, often providing the only new development for housing for seniors, teachers, and other municipal workers who could not otherwise live in those communities.  JALSA is part of a large coalition working to save that statute.

An Interfaith Petition is now available for leaders of different faith communities.  We stand together against efforts to repeal the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Law, a critical means of expanding affordable housing opportunities for thousands of people who need it.

Housing is a basic human need.  The Massachusetts Affordable Housing Law, also known as Chapter 40B, has created affordable homes for tens of thousands of Massachusetts residents.  Seniors, working families, veterans, and people with disabilities are just a few examples of people who need more affordable options to own or rent a home.  Without this law, fewer people will be able to attain an affordable home to serve as a foundation for human dignity, health and well-being.

Social justice and the dignity of all persons are fundamental values for communities of faith and they call us to speak out:  All people should have the opportunity to live in affordable, safe housing.  We stand in solidarity to protect the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Law and invite members of all faiths to join us and Vote ‘No’ against repealing this critical law on Question Two in November.

Interfaith Leaders: You may sign onto the interfaith letter by going  directly to the website: http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/protectaffordablehousing/

General Volunteer Support: You may volunteer to help work on this campaign by signing up on the Protect Affordable Housing website directly or calling the JALSA office, 617-227-3000.

To thank Bob Glassman and Wainwright Bank as it considers a merger with Eastern Bank

Tuesday, October 5 –5PM-7PM, Goulston and Storrs; 400 Atlantic Avenue, Boston

Jewish Alliance for Law & Social Action is proud to recognize the work of Bob Glassman and Wainwright.   The Wainwright Bank has been a model of social responsibility in this community proving that you can “do good by doing right.”

JALSA is a Boston-based social justice organization, committed to many of Wainwright’s priorities, including defending civil rights and constitutional liberties, and pursuing social and economic justice.  Like Wainwright’s leadership, many of JALSA’s recent initiatives include encouraging  green job development; counseling  tenants and homeowners on foreclosure issues; protecting equal marriage rights; and focusing attention on progressive solutions to the economic  crisis

Invitation and Sponsorship Information to Follow

Honorary Committee
Patricia Aburdene           Ronald Ansin
Kevin Bowen                   Fran Froehlich
Paul S. Grogan                Kevin McCall
Mayor Thomas Menino
Norma and Ben Shapiro
Matt Patsky                     Timothy Smith
Robert Brooke Zevin   (Committee in formation)

Asian American communities celebrate success at legislative passage of Boston’s home rule petition requiring bilingual ballots.  The Chinese and Vietnamese communities worked hard for their victory notwithstanding the opposition from the Secretary of State.  JALSA was delighted to be a part of the coalition working to help make the bilingual ballot a reality.

http://www.senatorchangdiaz.com/bilingual-ballots-boston-signed-law