Page 16 RAIN May 1982 Jewish Peace Fellowship Box 271 Nyack, NY 10960 Organized in 1941 to provide draft counseling to Jewish conscientious objectors of World War II, the Jewish Peace Fellowship (JPF) provides a strong Jewish presence in the international peace network. A quarterly newsletter, conferences and a series of publi- .cations convey the philosophy of the JPF: the roots of Jewish nonviolence and peacemaking, the need to eliminate the causes of war and the advancement of freedom and justice for all people. Affiliated with the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR) for the past 15 years, JPF acts as a resource group both in the Jewish community and in ecumenical coalitions, JPF has taken a firm stance on disarmament issues, endorsing and distributing the World Peace Pledge and the New Abolitionist Covenant (co-authored by such groups as FOR and the Sojourners Community), helping to organize an International Inter-religious Peace Shabbat (to take place shortly before the upcoming Second U.N. Special Session on Disarmament) and collaborating on a religious convocation with the Religious Task Force of the Mobilization for Survival (also preceding the U.N. Special Session). JPF will be happy to provide additional information about these and other activities. Be sure to enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Commission on Social Action—Chai/ Impact Network Union of American Hebrew Congregations 2027 Massachusetts Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 The Union of American Hebrew Congregations (UAHC) Commission on Social Action, begun nearly thirty years ago, is the political arm of Reform Judaism's association of American congregatons. UAHC has adopted resolutions (based on the commission's recommendations) on issues such as the control of nuclear arms, the Reagan budget's effects on social welfare, and abortion rights. A new project of the Commission is the Chai/Im- pact Network, the Jewish affiliate of the inter-religious Impact Network. Comprised of over thirty national Jewish, Protestant and Catholic agencies, the Network provides concise information packets—analysis and specific recommendations—on upcoming legislation from an ethical perspective. Covering topics such as hunger, poverty, racial justice and energy, these legislative updates can be used to lobby representatives in Congress and in state legislatures. (35 mailings a year, $20; $15 for students). “lijivn Sip Kol Ha Shofar c/o Philip Block 4073 N.E. 12th Portland, OR 97212 In existence for nearly three years, Kol Ha Shofar is one of a fair number of havurot that are attempting to blend political and spiritual work. In addition to organizing bimonthly shabbat gatherings and holiday events, Kol Ha Shofar has co-sponsored cultural and educational events with the local Jewish Community Center, led a class in Israel/Palestine issues at a local school for activists, and it is currently working on disarmament issues. Their name, meaning "Sound of the Ram's Horn," was chosen to reflect the dual nature of the group through the historical purpose of the horn—a call to action and to prayer. New Jewish Agenda 150 Fifth Ave., Suite 1002 New York, NY 10022 Founded in December of 1980, New Jewish Agenda is a multi-issue, grassroots organization of progressive Jews. Participants come from a variety of backgrounds with the common goal of building a progressive Jewish voice in both the organized Jewish community and left wing groups. With over 2000 members and more than twenty chapters scattered throughout the states. Agenda has developed task forces, endorsed initiatives, and organized local actions. It has formed coalitions around concerns such as sterilization abuse and abortion rights, the arms race and militarism. Gay rights legislation, human rights and anti-semitism, and the Reagan economic policy. Contact the national office for information about Agenda membership, newsletters, and local chapter activities. Jewish Feminist Drop-In Center L.A. Jewish Feminist Coalition 543 N. Fairfax Los Angeles, CA 90038 Begun four years ago as a Jewish education project, the coalition—an organization of Jewish feminists and Jewish lesbian feminists—is one of a number of similar organizations coalescing around the country, organizing Jewish feminist conferences, and working locally and nationally against antigay legislation. The L.A. Jewish Feminist Drop-In Center, sponsored by the coalition, has initiated consciousness-raising groups, led seminars on anti-semitism in the women's community, run workshops on Gays and Lesbians in the Jewish community, and effectively organized against local anti-gay legislation (the Briggs initiative). Their biweekly, Friday night get-togethers include feminist holiday celebrations, strategies on how Jewish feminists can have an impact on the politics of the organized Jewish community, and an update on the radical women's movement in Israel. Contact the Center to be put on their mailing list. rno3 —i—^--------------------------------- Menorah, monthly, $24/yr. available from: P.O. Box 1308V Fort Lee, NJ 07024 A project on Jewish institutions of the Public Resource Center (Washington D.C.), Menorah is dedicated to Jewish spiritual renewal in daily life and prayer. Menorah has tackled issues such as the Reagan economy, Black/Jewish relations, defining "Jewish Politics," and "Torah and Nuclear Power." Currently Menorah and B'nai Or Religious Fellowship, a Philadelphia based havurah, are co-sponsoring the Rainbow Sign—a call for Jewish community action against nuclear war. Intermingling liturgy, workshops, art, and music, the organizers operate on the conviction that the survival of the human race and the earth is a "Jewish" issue. The Rainbow Sign is an attempt to spark anti-nuclear action around the country from similar Jewish groups.
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