JCUA Blog - Jewish Council on Urban Affairs

Face to Face Accountability

April 9, 2019

| By Jackie Saepoff

Categories: Civic Engagement, Government Accountability, Guest Blog Posts, Immigrant Rights, Immigration Reform, JCUA Campaigns, Organizing Fellowship

In March I had the opportunity to travel with JCUA and the Campaign for Welcoming IL to the capitol in Springfield. Being there reminded me how much work we still have left to do to fight for immigration justice. The first thing they did when we got there was sweep us upstairs to tour the …

Community Ventures Program (CVP) Invests in Veterans Housing

March 11, 2019

| By Hannah Wolod

Categories: CVP

JCUA is excited to announce its newest CVP investment: the Roosevelt Road Veterans Housing Project, a 90-unit facility for veterans experiencing homelessness and veterans with disabilities. CVP provided a no-interest $100,000 loan to A Safe Haven to cover a portion of the predevelopment costs associated with the construction of this building in the North Lawndale …

Immigration Justice in Springfield and the Northern Suburbs…and a Campaign Victory!

February 28, 2019

| By Hannah Wolod

Categories: Immigrant Rights

Join JCUA and the Campaign for a Welcoming IL in Springfield We are heading down to Springfield with the Campaign for a #WelcomingIL to kickoff our organizing efforts around two new bills in Springfield this year – the Keep Illinois Families Together Act (KIFTA) and the Retain Illinois Students and Equity Act (RISE). Click the links to learn more …

JCUA’s Congregation Partner Network is Getting Out the Vote!

February 21, 2019

| By Hannah Wolod

Categories: Civic Engagement

We are excited to be working with our six Chicago-based Congregation Partners – to get out the vote in the Jewish community this election cycle. Our Congregation Partners have: Hosted forums and education sessions where they have discussed the election Sent out voter information in their online communications and on social media Provided resources to their …

The Mitzvah of Voting

February 18, 2019

| By Rabbi David Russo

Categories: Civic Engagement

There is a fascinating story told about the 20th century Israeli rabbi, the Chazon Ish. On Election Day, the Chazon Ish ran into a fellow Jew. “Did you vote yet” inquired the Chazon Ish. The person responded, “No.” “Why not,” the Chazon Ish persisted. The person responded, “I don’t have the three Israeli pounds to …