— by Stuart ApplebaumFrom The Philadelphia Jewish Voice Jewish law and tradition are clear about our duty to fight for the basic rights of all working people.Shantel Walker makes $9 per hour at the Papa John’s restaurant in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood where she’s worked for the for the last 15 years, almost half her life. Because her wages are so low, she often has to choose between eating lunch or buying a Metrocard to get to work. She shares a one-bedroom apartment with family members, but still worries about making ends meet every month.But Ms. Walker is not staying silent and letting her challenges get her down. She is standing up and joining with other fast-food workers across the country in calling for fairness and respect on the job. Since late 2012, fast-food workers have been walking off the job as part of regular one-day strikes and their ranks have recently been supported by home health care aides, adjunct professors, airport baggage handlers and other low-wage workers. Their demand? $15 per hour and a union.The current federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour is nothing close to a living wage. If someone earning the minimum wage is fortunate enough to be able to work full-time hours (and many are not), they would earn only $15,080 per year, which is under the poverty line for a family of two. At the current minimum wage, workers struggle paycheck-to-paycheck, and if they are able to pay all their bills at the end of the month, they are not able to save anything for an emergency, let alone for their retirement.Rising wages will allow millions of people across the country to lift their heads up and look towards the future with hope. But it will also benefit our economy at-large. A $15 per hour minimum wage will inject billions of dollars into local economies as many are finally able to buy new clothing for their children and other basic necessities. It will also ease state budgets, as millions who currently rely on state assistance will finally be able to afford groceries and rent.The history of American Jewry demands that we join with workers in their struggle for justice. When many of our ancestors first came to the United States, they worked low-wage jobs in the garment sector and other industries. Their experiences of struggle and pain encouraged many to organize and form unions that then fought for and won many of the basic wage and safety standards that we now take for granted. These gains enabled our families to raise their standards of living to where they are now, but we must never forget what it took to get here.The good news is that workers’ voices are having an impact. Already, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle have passed ordinances to raise their minimum wages to $15. Even more cities and states have passed smaller minimum wage increases that are an important first step for improving workers’ lives. But our obligation is not over until every working person has the ability to support their family without undue burden.At the very least, Jewish law and tradition means that we need to stand in solidarity with people such as Ms. Walker, who are taking a stand for the chance for a better life. Stuart Appelbaum is President of the Jewish Labor Committee.
15th Annual Labor Seder
Check out photos from the 15th Labor Seder on Flickr!What makes it possible for people to move out of slavery and into liberation? What are the ingredients that go into a successful movement against economic injustice? What moves people to action and what gives people hope?In the Passover story there were many people working together to strategize the coming out of Egypt and walking to liberation. There were Puah and Shifra, the midwives who refused to kill the Jewish newborn sons, there was Miriam who put her brother Moses in a basket so that he wouldn’t be killed. It was Bitya the daughter of Pharoah who lifted him from the basket and took him home, it was Jethro of Midian who took Moses in when he was fleeing those who wanted to kill him, it was Moses himself who answered God’s call to liberate the Jewish slaves. And then it was the hundreds of thousands of Jewish slaves who bonded together and had the courage to leave Egypt and walk into the sea and then into the desert, not knowing what the future would bring. There were many people from different backgrounds that played a role in the story of liberation.Our 15th Annual Labor Seder was our most successful Labor Seder. More than 300 people attended—up by approximately 20 attendees the previous year. We raised almost they same amount of money as last year. Many people said that this was the best, most spirited Labor Seder ever.This year we held our Labor Seder at IBEW 103. As in past years, elected officials, union presidents, Jewish community leaders, religious leaders, workers and students attended. Barbara led the Seder beautifully and we shortened the program at the request of several attendees. Almost everybody took home their Labor Seder Haggadah. We honored Mayor of Boston, Martin J. Walsh. He spoke movingly about the struggles of working people. We recognized these three campaigns: “Fight for $15”, Faculty Forward, and the Doubletree Workers Campaign. As it happened, the DoubleTree workers had just received a neutrality agreement from management, paving the way for a vote for UNITEHERE Local 26 to be there union representative.Year after year the Labor Seder continues to be a unique and powerful event. Perhaps it is the compelling Passover story—one of liberation from oppression—which so closely parallels the current struggles of workers and affects people on a deep level. Perhaps it is the connection attendees build with people from different communities that makes this evening so magical. Perhaps it is also the joy of celebrating a diverse community’s shared commitment to economic and worker justice. It takes all of these pieces for the Labor Seder to be the successful and moving event that attendees come to expect year after year.
JOIN THE FIGHT FOR $15 ON APRIL 14, 2015
Wednesday, April 14, 2015
4:00 PM to 6:00 PMBOSTON: Rally near Northeastern & Ruggles MBTA stops.*
*Boston and regional bus/event information TBA.
Save the date and stand with us for economic justice! Too many low wage workers are trapped in poverty. We are tired of being pitted against each other in a race to the bottom. Rain or Shine. Family friendly.
Facebook: Low pay isn't okay; join @WageAction #April14 to ensure #MA residents make enough to survive
#Fightfor15 #WageAction
Twitter and Instagram: Last June @WageAction took to the streets & we'll be doing it again on #April14. Join us!
The Only Hope for Peace is a Negotiated Two-State Solution
March 18, 2015, New York, NY – Stuart Appelbaum, President of the Jewish Labor Committee, issued the following statement the morning after Israel’s national elections:While it is too soon to know which party will be able to form a governing coalition, it appears that Likud is in better position to do so after Tuesday's Israeli elections. We couldn't disagree more strongly with Benjamin Netanyahu's statement that there will never be a Palestinian state under his watch and we believe that regardless of last-minute campaign rhetoric, the only hope for peace is a negotiated two-state solution.The Jewish Labor Committee, an independent secular organization, is the voice of the Jewish community in the labor movement and the voice of the labor movement in the Jewish community. Whether through its national office in New York or local offices and lay-led groups across the United States, the JLC enables the Jewish community and the trade union movement to work together on important issues of shared interest and concern, in pursuit of our shared commitment to economic and social justice.
New England Jewish Labor Committee 15th Annual Labor Seder
Join the Greater Boston Jewish and Labor communities to celebrate our shared traditions and strengthen our work together.
To register for the 15th Annual Labor Seder click here
View our event on Facebook
Tuesday, March 24th, 20155.00-8.30 p.m.(5-6.00 schmooze time)
IBEW Local 103 256 Freeport Street Boston, MA 02122
Dinner will be served
The Jewish tradition obligates us to relive the Exodus and liberation story of Passover in every generation. The Labor Seder is a unique interfaith opportunity through which labor and Jewish community leaders and activists continue to build bridges. We hope that you will join us at the table to learn more about current worker struggles right here in Greater Boston, find ways to get involved in meaningful campaigns for social justice, and rejoice with us in the ancient and joyful holiday of Passover.
Honoring:Boston MayorMARTY WALSH
Recognizing:The Workers of Harvard-owned DoubleTree HotelUnite Here Local 26 Campaign
The Fast Food Workers'Fight for $15' Campaign
The Adjunct FacultySEIU 509 Campaign
Gold Co-Sponsor: UNITE HERE Local 26
Co-sponsors: Moishe/Kavod House, Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action, Boston JCRC, and Boston Workmen’s Circle
Suggested Ticket Donation: $54 ($18 for low-income). All are welcome regardless of donation.
To RSVP, register on this website or email Marya Axner, Regional Director at NewEnglandJLC@jewishlabor.org or call (617) 227-0888
To buy an ad email Marya Axner, Regional Director at New EnglandJLC@jewishlabor.org or call (617) 227-0888
Deadline for ads: March 9th, 2015
Send checks to: Jewish Labor Committee, 18 Tremont Street #320, Boston, MA 02108 or pay through this website.
Event is Kosher, wheelchair accessible.
Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights Employers Forum on Sunday Jan 25th, 2015
Do you employ a nanny, au pair, caregiver or housekeeper?
If yes, come learn about the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights and what is required for a just workplace!
Check our Facebook Event Page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/359455954227218/?ref=22
Our Home is Someone’s Workplace: Domestic Workers’ Bill of RightsEmployers ForumSunday, January 25, 2015 at Temple Beth Zion2:00 - 4:30 PM1566 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02446
Co-Sponsored by MataHari/Massachusetts Coalition of Domestic Workers, the New England Jewish Labor Committee, and Temple Beth Zion.
This program is designed to be informative, interactive, and collaborative. Employers will learn about the new law and what is needed for compliance. The law goes into effect on April 1, 2015. Take advantage of this lead time to learn the details of the law, to share concerns and questions, to gather information about implementation, and to address pertinent issues regarding the employer-employee relationship.
Come and learn together! Get a free sample contract and additional resources!
Featured speakers:Lydia Edwards of Greater Boston Legal Services and the Massachusetts Coalition for Domestic Workers (MCDW)Rabbi Claudia Kreiman of Temple Beth Zion
Who should come?
- Anyone who employs a nanny, au pair, caregiver or housekeeper
Why should I come?
- Update and enhance your efforts as a responsible employer
- Learn the specifics of the new law
- Benefit from suggestions for compliance
- Take advantage of this opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, and identify steps toward implementation
- Become an informed employer AND citizen engaging in this new frontier for civil rights