TEMPLE ISRAEL'S RECLAIM OUR VOTE CAMPAIGN We have a responsibility to ensure that every voice is heard and counted in our elections. Temple Israel’s Racial Justice Initiative reached out through postcards and telephone calls to voters, particularly voters of color, in 6 targets states for the nonpartisan Reclaim Our Vote Campaign organized by the Center for Common Ground. We’re grateful for our partnership with the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action. "Footsteps on the porch again...who could it be? I run to the window and watch new and old friends swapping envelopes of postcards with voting information to send to people targeted by voter suppression as we collectively move our campaign forward. For me, memories of working on Reclaim our Vote will always be intertwined with home isolation, confusion around COVID safety, and uplifting Zoom meetings complete with d'var and break-out groups. As the world spiraled down, I was delighted to hear the insights and passions of my fellow congregants and find a small way to do good!" - Deborah Heffan "During the Civil Rights Movement and beyond, John Lewis led the way in working to achieve racial justice. The urgency of combating voter suppression for this election inspired me to take up Mr. Lewis’ call that 'you must do something.' Sending postcards to people in Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, Florida, and Arizona encouraging them to vote, provided the perfect opportunity to take action. I was so happy to work with Temple Israel members who were clearly ready to act in those states where voices of black and brown people are too often suppressed. Together, we joined the march John Lewis started. I love organizing and working in community which proved to be the best way to make the postcard campaign effective. Even though we could never congregate to write our postcards or assemble our packet together, we developed new connections with each other to make a difference. We were committed, focused, had some fun, and developed relationships critical to making change. Imagine what else we can do together?" - Sandy Wixted "I have attended the Riverway Project for seven years, and enjoy the Jewish community that it provides. When I was furloughed in April, I joined a TI Reclaim Our Vote event recruiting volunteers to send postcards to voters. I jumped right in and was then persuaded to help get phone banking up and running. It was a great experience to meet members of the TI community and train them to make calls to voters in North Carolina and Florida. While I was excited to get involved and participate in our democracy to combat voter suppression, I did not anticipate that I would start to feel more connected to the TI community. I met so many great people that I would not have met otherwise. When I log on for Shabbat services now, I see familiar faces and send 'Shabbat Shalom' greetings in the chat, making me feel more connected to this community." - Miriam Ledley Franks www.tisrael.org/insight | 617-566-3960
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