July Newsletter: Announcing JCIJ’s 1st Executive Director
July 12, 2024 • 6 Tamuz 5784
ANNOUNCING JCIJ’s EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The JCIJ Board proudly announces our first Executive Director, Andrea Soroko Naar. Andrea has been a founder and board member, and we know she will bring her skill and energy to her new role.
This an exciting moment to continue to grow the Jewish Coalition’s voice for immigrant justice. Enhancing JCIJ’s capacity means that we can make an even larger impact.
Thank you for growing JCIJ’s impact through your support, volunteering, mutual aid, and more!
Will you honor this milestone moment with a gift to support growing the Jewish Coalition?
About Andrea: Andrea co-founded the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice Northwest in 2017 with the goal of raising the activism of Jewish and multifaith communities. She was formerly a High School English teacher at Garfield High School and in the Bay Area and became an advocate for undocumented students from the classroom. Andrea believes that telling our stories, seeing systems up close, taking action together, and showing solidarity is how we build the world we wish to see. She is thrilled to step into the role of Executive Director and be fully invested in growing the impact of the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice.
EVENTS
JCIJ Summer Picnic
Join us for the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice's 2nd Annual Picnic to come together in community! Registration is required and is free.
With the unknown election outcome in November, a huge uptick in anti-immigrant rhetoric, and recent Executive actions further undermining immigrant rights, it is more important than ever to build our olam chesed, our world with love. Together we can grow an even stronger community of JCIJ advocates, action takers, and accompaniment volunteers.
Come learn more about how to get involved or deepen your engagement in accompaniment and advocacy over brunch and music. There will also be time for chatting ~ schmoozing (Yiddish) or to echar lashon (Ladino)!
Bring: Please bring (or order) mutual aid items for Welcome Packages for newly arrived migrants at tinyurl.com/WAISN-Care-P. JCIJ is supporting the WA Immigrant Solidarity Network in gathering supplies and delivering Welcome Packages.
SUPPORT
Urgently Needed Supplies for Newly Arrived Migrants
WAISN and JCIJ need your help purchasing supplies for new migrant arrivals to King County. The need for care packages and resources for newly arrived migrants continues to increase. WAISN, with volunteers from JCIJ, delivered 65 care packages in 2023.
Please support this mutual aid effort of urgently needed items. They will be sent directly to WAISN and delivered by JCIJ volunteers. We will add more items to the wishlist as the highest priority needs are met.
VOLUNTEER
Volunteers are needed to support monthly Saturday Asylum Clinics including volunteer immigration lawyers, non-immigration lawyers, paralegals, and interpreters in Spanish, French, Portuguese and Lingala.
JCIJ supports free legal clinics for Spanish speakers at Riverton Park United Methodist Church on Mondays from 12-4pm. We especially need volunteers who speak Spanish - being fluent is not required. Non-Spanish speakers with an interest in immigration law are also welcome. Volunteer at tinyurl.com/jcijvolunteer.
Accompaniment Training
Thanks to those who attended the Accompaniment Training on June 2nd! Together we are growing a base of volunteers ready to accompany immigrant community members to court hearings, ICE check-ins, biometrics appointments and more.
We plan to have future opportunities to train and engage! If you’re interested in volunteering for accompaniment, sign up at jewishcoalition.org/volunteer.
NEWS
One Big Step Forward for U.S. Immigration | The New Yorker
It has been 34 years since the last time the United States saw immigration reform. In the decades since, there have been backlogs, visa shortages, incremental enforcement measures, and bouts of political sparring matches. These obstacles put people into difficult situations, especially for the 1.1 million undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens. President Biden's new immigration policy affecting these undocumented spouses is the most consequential act of immigration relief in over a decade.
Fact check: What did Biden and Trump claim about immigration in the debate? | NPR
Immigration came up as a central issue in the first Presidential debate. Anti-immigrant rhetoric will continue to escalate as the election approaches, and we need to continue to push back against these harmful, dehumanizing narratives.
The Regional Origins of America’s First Comprehensive Federal Immigration Law | TIME
University of Washington Professor Devin E. Naar uncovers the Washington State origins of the 1924 Immigration Restriction Act. “Residents of Washington State may have a special interest in confronting the burden of past—and ongoing—injustices in the immigration system, but it falls to people across the country to overturn the legacies of figures like Albert Johnson and the ongoing, bipartisan xenophobia that lives on beyond him.”
Biden's Executive Action Will Not Make Border More Orderly or Secure: Real Solutions Mean Investing in Ports of Entry, Immigration Courts, and More Legal Pathways | American Immigration Council
Read the American Immigration Council’s press release about President Biden’s Executive order issued on June 4, which will not bring greater order or security to the U.S.-Mexico border and instead make seeking asylum even more onerous.
Migrants flee suffering, endure jungle to seek asylum in Seattle | The Seattle Times
The family became part of a large group of migrants — an estimated 2,000 so far — who have made their way over the last couple of years from the southern U.S. border to Riverton Park United Methodist Church in Tukwila. Their arrival has confounded local officials, who have provided insufficient aid, funding temporary housing for some but leaving many sleeping on the church’s floor or in tents.
Faith-Based Groups That Assist Migrants Become Targets of Extremists | The New York Times
Faith-Based organizations that feed, clothe and shelter border crossers fear for the safety of their employees and volunteers as the election nears and the vitriol over immigration intensifies.
SONGS IN THE KEY OF JCIJ
Curated by Dina Burstein
Over That Road I'm Bound To Go
Joachim Cooder is a drummer, percussionist, composer, and keyboardist. In this album he infuses the music of Uncle Dave Macon with electric mbira, guitar work by Malian superstar Vieux Farka Toure and by his father, Ry Cooder, along with others.
A-WA - "Mudbira" (Official Music Video)
Yemenite-Israeli sister trio Tair, Liron, and Tagel Haim sing in the Yemenite-Arabic dialect and mix traditional Yemenite music with hiphop and reggae. The sisters conceived and directed this music video.
Selva - Ciro Hurtado - Feat. Trio Ellas
A collaboration by CIro Hortado, Los Angeles-based Peruvian guitarist/composer and Trio Ellas, an all-female Latin-American music group based in Los Angeles which mixes traditional mariachi music with other styles.
Tacoma Refugee Choir - Everyone Can Love Someone (2023)
The Tacoma Refugee Choir are refugees, immigrants, and friends from the Tacoma area who create a welcoming community by singing, songwriting, and performing.
Be in touch with the Jewish Coalition for Immigrant Justice NW
at team@jewishcoalition.org and learn more at jewishcoalition.org.
Follow JCIJ on Facebook and Instagram.
Donate to build Jewish Coalition’s advocacy, accompaniment and community engagement.
Volunteer for or learn more about accompaniment, legal support, observing ICE flights, tutoring, interpreting, crafting JCIJ communications, and supporting immigrant-led partners.