FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 6, 2018
CONTACT: Rachael Dubinsky, JALSA Impact Director of Political Engagement, 203-561-7032
BOSTON-- Building upon decades of progressive social justice work, the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action has formed a 501(c)4 organization, JALSA Impact, that will engage the progressive Jewish community of Massachusetts in electoral organizing ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. JALSA Impact will also be reaching out to the Massachusetts Congressional delegation to create opportunities for connection to the progressive Jewish community.
“These times call for us to use every tool in our toolkit to dismantle hate and stand up for our Jewish values,” said Cindy Rowe, Executive Director of JALSA Impact. “It is no longer enough that we work to change public policy. We have reached a point in this country that we must also change the policy makers in Washington. JALSA Impact will harness the power of the Massachusetts progressive Jewish community to take back our democracy and achieve social justice.”
Through organizing work with local and national partners, JALSA Impact will bring together volunteers to support candidates that represent its values by targeting critical House races throughout the country. JALSA Impact will be participating in phone banks, postcard drives, canvassing, texting, and other campaign activities aimed at turning out the vote on Election Day, November 6 in key states.
According to JALSA Impact President Larry Bailis, “As Jews, we cannot stand idly by while our country is being led by a President who disrespects people based on their religious beliefs, sexual orientation, income level or immigration status. By starting in 2018, and flipping the House, we will do our best to restore some form of checks and balances in America.”
JALSA Impact will be supporting the following Congressional candidates this election cycle:
FL-26- Debbie Mucarsel-Powell- Debbie immigrated from Ecuador to the United States with her family as a young girl, working her first job at age 15 to help her family make ends meet and pay her way through college. She has dedicated more than twenty years to improving access to healthcare, protecting the environment, and increasing educational opportunities.
IA- 1-Abby Finkenauer- Abby, a first-generation college graduate and Iowa State Representative is a proven advocate for working families. Her father was a Union Pipefitter Welder, her mother worked for the Dubuque Community Schools. The Hawkeye State has never before elected a Democratic woman to Congress, and she’s poised to make history as the first.
NY-19- Antonio Delgado- Antonio is a child of upstate NY and campaigning for gun safety and the need to create sustainable jobs and training programs. He believes in universal health, and a tax code that treats middle class families fairly, as well as a sensible approach to student debt.
TX-23- Gina Ortiz-Jones- After graduating from Boston University with a BA and MA in Economics, and a BA in East Asian Studies, Gina entered the U.S. Air Force as an intelligence officer. If successful in November, Gina will make history: it will be the first time a lesbian, Iraq War veteran, and first-generation Filipina-American is elected to a U.S. House seat in Texas.
NC-13- Kathy Manning- Kathy served as a partner at Smith, Helms law firm for 16 years, where she founded their immigration law practice and worked in litigation. Kathy left to start her own firm and was also the first woman to serve as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Federation of North America. She graduated from Harvard University and University of Michigan Law School.