DAY ON THE HILL ADVOCACY – Voting Rights

NCJW Greater Dallas Section

NCJW Texas’ Advocacy Teams have been preparing for this session since their September Leadership Retreat and were recently at a Texas Impact briefing specifically focused on our efforts. We asked NCJW Dallas Past President and State Policy Advocate (SPA) Caren Edelstein to describe their plan.

Last week you shared details about our strategic approach to Women’s Health legislation being proposed in Austin. Do we have a similar approach to Voting Rights legislation?
CAREN: We hope to but there have been close to 500 Voting Rights bills introduced and – so far – we have no idea what’s going to come out of committee! By our March Day on the Hill visits, we’ll know a lot more, but all I can share with you now is the good, the bad and the ugly…

Let’s start with the bills we like!
CAREN: There are many bills that expand voting rights, some that are general bills and some targeted at specific groups with special needs. The two general bills we support allow for same day voter registration and for online voter registration. We also like bills that allow voter registration at jails and one that requires all prisons to be a polling place so that registered prisoners (and members of the community) can vote.

Other bills target younger voters by requiring that all colleges have polling places (the state has recently removed polling places from some Historically Black Colleges) and that allow 17-year-olds to vote in primaries if they will be 18 by Election Day.

And what about the bills that we don’t like?
CAREN: Four types of bills have been introduced that could really restrict voting rights. Two of them would make it harder to vote by mail and would decrease the number of days for early voting. A third contains faster ways to purge voting rolls and the bill that we’re possibly most concerned about would shift responsibility for elections from local officials to the Secretary of State, essentially giving us state-run elections.

Is there anything else we need to keep an eye on?
CAREN: Yes – we’re doing redistricting again! The last session’s redistricting was done in a special session and the law requires that it be done in regular session, so we have to redo it. That said, they’re starting with the same maps that they used last time so we’re expecting a similarly gerrymandered result.

Any last thoughts?
CAREN: YES! Many of us found ourselves in new districts during the last election cycle and ended up with representatives that we didn’t vote for. But those are exactly the people we will need to persuade to NOT further restrict voting rights! If you live in that kind of district, PLEASE consider joining us in Austin – as a constituent, we’ll be able to visit the people we need to see!!!

DAY ON THE HILL ADVOCACY – Women’s Health

NCJW Greater Dallas Section

We are only 25 days into the five-month Texas legislative session and already over 7000 bills have been filed. Conservatives continue to hold sway. What can progressives accomplish?

NCJW Texas’ Advocacy Teams have been preparing for this session since their September Leadership Retreat and were recently at a Texas Impact briefing specifically focused on our efforts. We asked NCJW Dallas Past President and State Policy Advocate (SPA) Caren Edelstein to describe their plan.

In this atmosphere, where are we focusing our efforts and why?
CAREN: It’s still early days – too early to identify specific bills that we’ll be supporting or opposing. That said, we’ve identified three issue areas of primary focus: Women’s Health, Voting and ‘Gun Sense.’ In addition, we will be developing position papers to share on School Vouchers and LBGTQ issues.

What’s going on in Women’s Health?
CAREN: Legislators are trying to build on the very restrictive abortion ban they passed in the last session with even more anti-women restrictions. Many options are on the table! Some of the scariest proposals include not permitting women to leave the state for an abortion and limiting birth control.

What can we hope to accomplish in this atmosphere?
CAREN: We’re being VERY strategic! For example, in the last session, legislators finally expanded Medicaid – the program that serves the very poorest women in the state – to include 6 months of post-partum care.
Due to the abortion ban, more women in poverty will likely have more babies so we are lobbying to extend that 6-month period to two years.

Are we lobbying for any other proposals?
CAREN: Yes, we will strongly support the Menstrual Equity Bill. This is a bill that would remove the sales tax from all menstrual products. You don’t pay sales tax if you buy a band-aid in Texas but you do if you buy a tampon! Period poverty is widespread in the United States: 1 in 5 teens cannot afford menstrual products, according to a study from the national advocacy group Period, and 84% have either missed class or know someone who has missed class due to insufficient menstrual supplies. And it’s not just limited to teens. If you’re earning minimum wage in Texas, you must work for an hour to buy a box of tampons.

What impact can one person have?
CAREN: Most legislators welcome visits and other communication from their constituents – whether they agree with their perspective or not – and the more constituents, the better! Our members and supporters are spread across a wide array of districts. Everyone who joins these efforts will make a significant difference!

2022 Voting Bites

NCJW Greater Dallas Section

September 9, 2022: Let’s Get Out the Vote Together!

Never underestimate the ability of a small group of individuals to change the world. It’s the only thing that ever has.-Margaret Mead
In 60 days, Americans will head to their polling places and vote. How many Americans make that effort will directly impact the outcome of the elections. Throughout the summer, Get Out the Vote has been at the center of NCJW Dallas’ advocacy efforts. We’ve gathered a team of 45 individuals who are writing letters to infrequent voters, urging them to vote. We’ve assembled and distributed voter information packets to 700 assisted living residents and we’ve registered voters. We’ve highlighted here the importance of and barriers to voting in previousweekly updates.
 
This is the home stretch, and we need every one of you to join this critical effort. Please review the events and projects we have listed below and join our efforts. Remember, the health of a democracy depends on the participation of all its citizens.
 LET’S ALL GET OUT THE VOTE TOGETHER!

DEBBIE GREENE, President
SHANNON MORSE, Executive Director

August 26, 2022: What’s the difference between redistricting and gerrymandering?

The process of redistricting is lawful and equitable when it’s conducted properly. It is also frequently a necessary process to reflect changes in population changes and racial diversity after each decennial Census. When redistricting is used as a tool to manipulate electoral outcomes or discriminate against certain groups, it ceases to be lawful and equitable, and we call it gerrymandering.- ACLU

Even when redistricting is done fairly, it confuses voters who often must figure out new district boundaries, new individuals running for office, relevant issues and polling places before voting.  Inconvenience and confusion are among the top reasons voters give for NOT voting.
Even if voters manage to figure out new district challenges, gerrymandering can effectively minimize the impact of their vote. (Want to know more about gerrymandering? Watch this short video.)

 In Texas, lawmakers released their redrawn maps almost a year ago. As of March of this year, however, the maps face at least five legal challenges, including one from the U.S. Department of Justice, based on claims that the newly drawn districts discriminate against voters of color. 

If the claims in the lawsuits are accurate, it is even MORE important than usual to encourage voters to vote to overcome BOTH redistricting-related concerns!

The New Yorker

August 12, 2022: Why voters don’t vote

There are as many reasons for NOT voting as there are individuals who don’t vote, but they generally fall into two major categories:
1. Individual Agency
2. Voting Barriers

Individual agency: Citizens are less likely to vote if they don’t think their ballots matter. 

Many polls have shown that people often choose not to vote when they believe that voting has little impact on their lives and that it won’t change how the government is run. Other studies also indicate that voters who don’t know enough about the major issues or don’t feel candidates represent their views might choose to opt-out.

Research shows that nonvoters are more likely to be low-income, young, Hispanic, or Asian American. In particular, Latino groups say that Latinos have a lower participation rate because of a historical lack of thoughtful and sustained engagement from campaigns and lawmakers alike whereas polls show that Asian-Americans are more likely to say they were ‘too busy’ to vote.

Income level also impacts voting likelihood: the US census found that 47% of eligible citizens with household incomes of less than $20,000 didn’t vote in 2012.

Voting Barriers: We make it too hard!

Hundreds of thousands of nonvoters would vote if they could. Voters need identification to vote in 36 states, which means the 21 million Americans who don’t have government-issued photo ID are at risk of missing out. Financial barriers, lack of access to transportation, and limited information can make it difficult for older people, people of color, and low-income people to obtain an ID – or get to their polling place.

Most democratic countries hold their elections on Sundays. In the U.S., Election Day generally falls on a Tuesday and is not a federal holiday, presenting a dilemma for many workers who don’t get paid time off to go to a polling place and wait in line. While early voting and mail-in voting gives citizens more flexibility, not all states offer these options. 

Houston Chronicle

July 29, 2022: How Many People Don’t Vote?

Midterm elections are held halfway through a president’s term and will be held on Tuesday, November 8 this year.  All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 34 Senate seats are up for election in 2022. An additional 36 governors will face voters this year as well.

Nationally, about 50-60% of registered voters turn out for presidential elections while only about 40% go to the polls for midterms.  (In Texas – which consistently has some of the lowest turnout of any state – midterms generally attract between 25-35% of eligible voters.) The national trend has been in existence for decades with one exception – the 2018 midterms.  Additionally – with few exceptions – the President’s party generally loses seats during the midterm elections.

The Houston Chronicle

There are many reasons why people don’t vote (to be discussed in a future “Voting Bite”); however, there is one general motivator to vote:
You vote because you believe. 
You believe in democracy, You believe in a candidate.
You believe you make a difference.
You believe voting is important. You believe you have a voice. 

During presidential elections, more voters know who the top candidates are and believe one will be better as president than the other, therefore they vote. Midterm candidates are generally much less known to their potential constituents who – as a result – don’t feel motivated to express their opinion by voting.

2022 Pioneer Partner Award – Press Release

NCJW Greater Dallas Section

NCJW Dallas names Mary Pat Higgins, President & CEO of Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum, its 2022 Pioneering Partner award recipient.

October 19, 2021 – DALLAS: National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Dallas, is delighted to announce
that it will present its 2022 Pioneering Partner Award to Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum President and CEO Mary Pat Higgins at its 109th Birthday Luncheon on January 21, 2022, at the Westin Galleria.

Higgins is being honored for her work leading the transformation of this vital Dallas resource into a nationally
recognized center for Holocaust and social justice education. Like NCJW, Mary Pat Higgins and the Holocaust and Human Rights Museum are committed to safeguarding individual rights and freedoms and through education seek to combat prejudice, hatred, and indifference.

The luncheon event, themed “109 years of Building Brighter Futures!” will also feature Warzone photojournalist, Emmy-winning TV news producer, and New York Times bestselling author Deborah Copaken as its keynote speaker.

Since its founding in 1913, NCJW Dallas volunteers have developed ground-breaking programs such as HIPPY, a school readiness program for parents of preschoolers; Kids in Court for children who must testify against their abusers; Food + Fit=Fun to combat childhood obesity; and most recently, The Suitcase Project for survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence. Additionally, our multi-partner West Dallas Initiative
provides clothing, supplies and services to families in this high-poverty neighborhood.

Further information about the event and sponsorship opportunities can be found online at https://www.ncjwdallas.org/birthday/.

For more information, please contact NCJW Executive Director Shannon Morse at 214-368-4405.

Positions

NCJW Greater Dallas Section

⚠️ACTION ALERTS

ACTION ALERT: Stand Up for Your Values NOW! (May 3)

CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS NOW!
(April 20)

ACTION ALERT: Make One Call for Texas! (April 25)

ACTION ALERT: SCHOOL VOUCHERS WILL BE VOTED ON TODAY! (April 11)

#TX LEGE 88 – BILLS WE ARE TRACKING

GUN SENSE

HB 544 by Julie Johnson – HB 544 would prohibit possession of a firearm if a person has been convicted or the subject of a protective order for family violence.

HB 2076 by Goodwin – HB 2076 would expand the definition of family violence to include dating violence.

HB 902 by Moody – HB 902 would close a loophole to include magazines into the list of items a person already prohibited from possessing a weapon cannot possess.

HB 2242 by Howard – HB 2242 would provide for a public education effort by the Department of Public Safety for its safe storage program.

HB 2454 by Guillen – HB 2454 would close a loophole by prohibiting a person knowingly purchasing for or providing a gun to a person prohibited from possessing one

HB 2780 by Leach – HB 2780 would improve background checks by creating a central repository for juvenile mental health records.

WOMEN’S HEALTH AND REPRO RIGHTS

HB 916 BY ORDAZ  would help women – especially rural women that travel long distances – access contraception by requiring health insurance to provide a 12-month supply. 

VOTING RIGHTS AND ELECTIONS

OPPOSE MAKING ILLEGAL VOTING A FELONY: SB2 BY HUGHES

This bill is a high priority of Lt Gov. Dan Patrick. In addition to raising the penalty for voting illegally, the bill also significantly lowers the standard for voter intent.

SUPPORT ELECTION WORKERS: SB 1052 BY SPRINGER 

SB 1052 would ensure an election worker gets paid for an extra hour if it requires  more time to set up or close out a polling location. 

LGBTQI RIGHTS

OPPOSE LGBTQI DISCRIMINATION: SB 14 BY CAMPBELL 

SB 14 would prohibit gender affirming care for minors, including hormone  therapies. The bill would exempt children born intersex, which would allow parents and doctors to impose a gender on an infant born intersex.

The bill would also prohibit any public money from being used in the CHIP program. It also contains a provision that would allow the Attorney General to bring a civil action against parents and providers.  
FOR INFORMTION ON ANTI-LBGTQI BILLS CLICK HERE

EDUCATION EQUITY

OPPOSE ALL EDUCATION VOUCHERS!!
SB 8 by Creighton
SB 176 by Middleton
SB 960 by Campbell
SB 2354 by Bettencourt
SJR 29 by Paxton

Public education is the bedrock of democracy. Vouchers take money from the public schools.

Vouchers would go to private, religious, or home school programs that do not have to meet the same standards as public schools. There is no requirement to provide student achievement data to the state, nor to hire certified teachers. Vouchers would reduce, not improve academic achievement.

Private and religious schools are also not required to provide special services to students with disabilities nor free breakfast or lunch to qualifying students.  Economically disadvantaged and/or handicapped students would be harmed the most by this program. Six out of 10 Texas public school students are eligible for free lunch.

READ MORE ABOUT THE VOUCHER EFFORT ON THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS HERE.

Help Afghan Refugees

NCJW Greater Dallas Section

HELP US HELP AFGHAN REFUGEES COMING TO DALLAS!

NCJW DALLAS has partnered with Mosaic Family Services  to welcome Afghan refugees being resettled in the Dallas area.

Afghan refugees are being carefully processed as they come to the US, and only a handful of the thouands who left Afghanistan have so far made it to their Dallas homes.

There are still a few items left on our Welcome Kits. Click here to give – or give more. 

Write a letter or send a Kid-to-Kid drawing!
It’s fun and so easy!

We just learned that kid-to-kid greetings – in the form of drawings – would also be greatly appreciated, so ee give you a sample letter to get you started and ask you just to add one or two personal thoughts!


2021 NCJW Dallas Awards and Installation

NCJW Greater Dallas Section

Wednesday, May 12 at 11:30 am

The live ceremony, for honorees only, will take place at the home of Staci Mankoff.

The zoom ceremony will feature three live cameras and interaction with guests both at the ceremony and on zoom. You’ll have to provide your own lunch 😊, but every effort is being made so that you’ll feel like you’re there!

We greatly look forward to celebrating this event with you!

CHECK THE EVENT PROGRAM HERE.

REGISTER HERE TO BE PART OF THE EVENT

MEET THE AWARDEES!

Emerging Leader Award
Jeana Foxman

The Emerging Leader Award is presented to a woman who demonstrates commitment to the Section and has the potential for assuming future Section leadership. 

Jeana Foxman has been a volunteer since high school in Freeland, MI, through college and while working on the Hill in Washington, D.C. for Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey. 

Since she moved to Dallas, Jeana has used her public affairs skills to help develop talking points for Day on the Hill in Austin and helped put together a training for community organizing with a Jewish twist. She has served two rounds on NCJW’s Awards and PACE Committees as well as been on the Nominating Committee. She currently chairs the Research and Development Committee and is a member of the board.

Janis Levine Music Make-a-Difference Award
Courtney Johnson and Laura Diamond

The Janis Levine Music Make-A-Difference Award is presented to an individual who has had a long-term commitment and made a unique contribution to NCJW Dallas. The award honors the memory of Janis Levine Music, a person who gave of herself with dignity and kindness of spirit.

Courtney Johnson chaired the record-breaking 2018 Birthday Luncheon and has also introduced new ideas for solidifying the relationships with new and existing donors to NCJW Dallas.

She is currently a member of the board and volunteers for other projects, including the West Dallas Clothes Closet.  She looks forward to becoming even more involved with the West Dallas Initiative.

Laura Diamond -Born in New York, Laura holds an MFA in filmmaking from Columbia. Professionally she taught at New Jersey city college, the 92nd St.Y, and Professional children’s school. She wrote scripts for science and medical education, often producing and directing.

In 2008, Laura became an active member of the NCJW-Dallas leadership, starting as assistant treasurer. As vice president of communications she began her 10+ years project of photographing NCJW members at work in community service, advocacy in DC and Austin, at events.

Constantly documenting NCJW history with photo-stories, Laura has also served as Secretary, Board Member,Bulletin Photo Editor, member of WACHS Women’s Health project. She says:”I have been so impressed with the outstanding activities of NCJW that have always wanted to tell these stories with photos” In addition, she has twice revised our website. Currently she serves as Historian on our Board.

Laura and husband Norman have two adult children, Michael and Alanna, also one grandson.

Hannah G. Solomon Award
Robin Zweig

The Hannah G. Solomon Award is presented to a woman who has a strong NCJW identity and has changed the lives of others through her leadership efforts and service, who has helped change and expand the role of women in vital areas of community life and who has motivated others to work for change

This year’s recipient, Past President Robin Zweig has served continuously in leadership roles of all kinds for NCJW Dallas.

In addition to her presidency during our centennial year, she was also president of Evening Branch and served as Vice President (VP) of Membership, VP Financial Development, VP Administration, and Secretary.  She currently serves as one of the Cochairs of Food+Fit=Fun.

Lifetime Achievement Award
Suzi Greenman

The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual in acknowledgment of outstanding contributions to NCJW and the Dallas community.  It is awarded to someone who has earned recognition from NCJW and from peers and professionals in the community for her meaningful involvements and positive influence. 

Suzi Greenman has demonstrated an amazing depth and breadth of commitment to NCJW Dallas as well as to many other community organizations, all devoted to improving the lives of women, children and families and promoting social justice, with a focus on advocacy and fundraising.

Her passions are evident in the initiatives she has undertaken, the boards she has served on, and the professional positions she has held both in Dallas and in New York City.

Opening Meeting 2020 – Press Release

NCJW Greater Dallas Section

SYSTEMIC RACISM: SEE IT, SAY IT, CONFRONT IT

DALLAS: 9/24 11 AM WEBINAR MEETING AND LIVE FACEBOOK STREAM

PRESS CONTACT:  NCJW President Elaine Bernstein; president@ncjwdallas.org; 937-344-4617

Distinguished educator Carol Francois will lead a discussion on the roots of systemic racism for members of NCJW Dallas and community leaders.  Dr. Francois currently leads a community-wide study group that examines the deep-rooted racism in every institution of American life including education, business, health care, housing and more.  She will use one of the books from that study group’s syllabus – The Warmth of Other Suns by Pulitzer Prize winning Isabel Wilkerson – as a jumping-off point for her discussion. Webinar subscribers have been reading the book for the last month and will be discussing the topics it raises in the meeting.

Dr Francois stated: “The story of the Great Migration is one that deserves to be told and re-told. It captures both the fear and determination that accompanies leaving the known for the unknown and resonates with audiences regardless of race or ethnicity. I am honored to share my knowledge about this period as elegantly told in Isabel Wilkerson’s sweeping historical book The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration.”

Caren Edelstein, State Policy Advocate for NCJW Dallas added, ‘We are thrilled to be able to welcome Carol to NCJW Dallas’ Opening Meeting to lead us in discussion of this important subject.  NCJW takes very seriously its commitment to educate its members on emerging progressive issues.’

 ‘At NCJW, we want to not only learn more about anti-racism, but also – based on that learning – develop and support advocacy positions to increase social justice.  This webinar is a first step in that process.’

SPEAKER BIOGRAPHY

Carol Francois currently serves as Learning Ambassador for Learning Forward.  Dr. Francois is a lifelong educator who has also served as chief of staff for DISD; associate commissioner of education for the Texas Education Agency; assistant superintendent for human resources for Wake County Public Schools and much more. She currently consults with school districts and companies throughout the country.  She also leads an in-depth, educational book club focused on the history of racism in this country called ‘Why Are They So Angry.’

NCJW DALLAS

The National Council of Jewish Women Dallas is a grassroots organization that has been serving the greater Dallas area for 108 years. By bringing activists and volunteers together across communities they have advanced progressive social change through issue education, advocacy and community service.