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Illinois to lead the nation in pretrial fairness

The Illinois Supreme Court has declared the Pretrial Fairness Act constitutional. When implementation begins on September 18, Illinois will be the first state to end the racist and unjust use of cash bail!

This is an important step toward racial and economic justice and an enormous victory for the grassroots coalition who organized to pass and protect this legislation. Read the full statement from the Coalition to End Money Bond.

JCUA members recognized as young Jewish leaders

Mazal tov to Rose Silverman and Rabbi Steven Philp for their inclusion in JUF’s 36 Under 36: Double Chai in the Chi, which recognizes young Chicago leaders.

Rose (she/her) is a Senior Program Director for Avodah and has been an active JCUA member for five years. Rose has been involved with many of our organizing campaigns, helps facilitate JCUA training programs, and co-founded our White Racial Justice Working Group.

Rabbi Steven (he/him) is the Associate Rabbi at Mishkan Chicago and serves on JCUA’s Board of Directors. He supports Mishkan’s justice teams, which are partnering with JCUA on Bring Chicago Home and helped pass the Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ECPS) ordinance.

JCUA takes pride in providing the skills and support our members need to become powerful leaders in the Jewish community. Last year, the 36 Under 36 list recognized nine JCUA members and staff.

JCUA supports IMAN’s health center expansion

We’re proud to partner with the Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) on the expansion of its Chicago Lawn health center.

The IMAN Health Center provides comprehensive and culturally competent health care for low-income individuals, regardless of age, health status, or ability to pay. Through our Community Ventures Program (CVP), JCUA is providing a $200,000 zero-interest loan that will help IMAN expand the facility, offer fully integrated care, and create a gathering space for local organizations and community members.

JCUA and IMAN have been longtime partners in the work to end racism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia. We are currently organizing closely together in the Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ECPS) coalition.

Tisha B’Av for Asylum

Next week, we will observe Tisha B’Av, an annual fast day that commemorates the destruction of our temples, the scattering of our ancestors, and tragedies that have occurred across Jewish history.

Asylum seekers today are facing similar forces of displacement and exile. As millions of individuals and families seek refuge in the United States, our immigration system centers criminalization instead of care, and asylum seekers arriving in Illinois need our support and solidarity.

This Wednesday, July 26th, from 5:30-7:00 pm, join JCUA at Beth Emet Congregation in Evanston for a special Tisha B’Av event focusing on asylum. We’ll learn about the U.S. asylum system, explore Jewish texts, and share a meal together.

We will also be collecting supplies for asylum seekers in Chicago; please bring diapers of all sizes and new underwear and socks for children and adults.

Chicagoans want Treatment Not Trauma

JCUA youth leaders joined our partners in the Treatment Not Trauma coalition at City Hall on Wednesday for a press conference highlighting the necessity of non-police mental health crisis response.

On Monday, our coalition will host an important Subject Matter Hearing in City Council, where experts and coalition members will lay out the details of the ordinance and the research behind our solutions.

Let’s keep up the momentum to implement a compassionate and community-based model for mental health! Register to attend Monday’s hearing and let asia (asia@jcua.org) know if you can give public comment.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT HEARING: In addition to our Treatment Not Trauma hearing, JCUA’s Bring Chicago Home coalition will host its own Subject Matter Hearing on Thursday, July 27 as we prepare to introduce the ordinance into City Council. Join us as we show out strong for housing justice.

Restorative Justice Training

We’re thrilled to share that JCUA will be hosting our first-ever Restorative Justice Training on Sunday, August 20.

Restorative justice is a mindset rooted in values, relationships, respect and community problem-solving, as well as a set of practices to put this mindset into action. Through this training, we will explore how we can bring restorative practices into our JCUA community and use them to guide our organizing work.

Space is limited, and we won’t be able to accept everyone who applies. If you’re interested in participating, please apply here.