Monday, June 3, 7:30pm
Congregation Etz Chayim
4161 Alma St., Palo Alto

Rabbi Shelly Lewis, artist Kim Howard, and graphic designer Rashida Basrai have collaborated on three books in a continuing series about respecting and celebrating the other. The newest collection of adventures set in Jerusalem, Even More Mini Adventures in Jerusalem, follows Mini Adventures in Jerusalam, and More Mini Adventures in Jerusalem. The tales describe how Ahmed and Mati (pictured above by artist Howard), two miniature young heroes, sometimes find themselves in tight places as they learn about each other.

The panel of three will speak about their experiences working together based on shared values. While selections from the book will be read, this is an adult event. 

We at Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice are deeply concerned about the proposal that the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors roll back the “Civil Detainer” Policy, a pro-immigrant policy that residents of our county have been deeply proud of since its passage in 2011, assuring that our local law enforcement officers would not collaborate with ICE in its treatment of immigrants. This policy has accorded with our commitment to a society with equal opportunity for all, free of discrimination and hatred for marginalized populations.

The policy is being reconsidered in response to the tragic murder of Bambi Larson in San Jose on February 28th. Because the alleged perpetrator is an undocumented immigrant, anti-immigrant forces are using this moment to rush through a roll-back of a policy that has been a model throughout the country, effectively punishing the entire immigrant community for the crime that one immigrant is alleged to have committed.

MVPJ has joined with a wide range of community organizations working to defend the current policy, or at least to slow down the rush to judgment so that a thoughtful decision can be made, not in the immediate aftermath of tragedy.

We urge all of our partners to encourage their community members to do two things:

(1) Call members of the Board of Supervisors to express your view that immigrants are a vital part of our community, entitled to all protections due to them by American law.  (Click here for all the needed information for calling.)

(2) If at all possible, come to the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, April 9th. The meeting begins at 9am, and this topic is scheduled for approximately 10:30am. A large turnout of citizens with moral objections to a change in the policy will speak volumes to the supervisors.

Multifaith Voices for Peace & Justice invites you to join us and people of faith across the nation in expressing strong support for the NO BAN Act (National Origin-Based Antidiscrimination for Nonimmigrants Act). The NO BAN Act is meant to repeal the Muslim Bans and the asylum ban, restrict the President's ability to enact future bans, and outlaw discrimination in the entry of immigrants or nonimmigrants based on religion. Congress will likely be introducing the bill in the coming weeks, and we need a national groundswell of support for this!

"We are called by our sacred texts and faith principles to love our neighbor, accompany the vulnerable, and welcome the sojourner. In keeping with these principles, as well as with the highest ideals of the nation we call home, we urge our members of Congress to support the No Ban Act. This Act will lead the way for more inclusive and just immigration policies that will benefit both not only those seeking refuge in a time of dire need, but also will benefit our nation and the world as a whole, as we model inclusion, justice, and freedom for all."

You can support this effort by adding your name and/or the name of your congregation to a petition (open for anyone to sign), an interfaith letter from faith leaders, and/or an interfaith letter from faith organizations. Please sign by Monday, April 8th!

The petition and letters are initiated by Shoulder-to-Shoulder, an organization that stands with American Muslims and works with people of all faiths to address anti-Muslim discrimination and violence. 

On Monday, Dec. 10 – Human Rights Day – more than 200 faith leaders will take part in a nonviolent direct action at the border in San Diego, California. Between then and December 18, International Migrants Day, communities from across the country will host solidarity events to stand with the migrant caravans and all who seek refuge.

LOVE KNOWS NO BOUNDS is the name of the week of action planned.

Visit this American Friends Service Committee webpage to find an event near you or learn how to organize one yourself.  Click here to access their social media graphics and posters page so you can build awareness and advocate for justice and compassion wherever you are. Share these posters with your community of faith, in your neighborhoods, on your social media postings.

Join Faith in Public Life and people of faith and conscience across the nation in signing the PLEDGE TO STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH PEOPLE SEEKING ASYLUM.

As politicians try to divide us against one another according to race, ethnicity, and  or nationality, we remain united and steadfast in our conviction that all people deserve dignity, respect, and equity, and that together we can make such a world possible. We are people of faith and conscience, coming from a long tradition of welcoming the sojourner and loving our neighbor and, following the example of our sacred texts, pledge our commitment to be good neighbors to those seeking refuge in our community, and to build a community where all are welcome.

Click here to read full statement and sign it.

Rise Up and Rise Again!
Singalong Concert with Annie Patterson & Friends
TONIGHT: Saturday, Oct. 20, 8pm
Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto
505 E. Charleston Rd., Palo Alto

Join us for an evening of song and inspiration at this concert which is a benefit for Multifaith Voices for Peace & Justice!

Patterson is co-creator of the songbooks Rise Up Singing and Rise Again! She will be joined by Mary Witt of The O-Tones.

Suggested donation: $15-30 at the door. Children/youth $5. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

For more information, click here.

Tickets can be purchased online, and will also be available at the door.

Multifaith Voices for Peace and Justice is one of the co-sponsors for RISE for Climate, Jobs and Justice. On the morning of September 8, we will go to San Francisco to join other peace and justice organizations in the Bay Area in the largest climate march the West Coast has ever seen.

The core concern of the march is for climate justice:

• No new fossil fuels
• A  just and fair transition to 100% renewable energy

However, there are additional contingents that will represent related concerns. Two of these connect particularly to MVPJ activities. Please note that the Faith Contingent and the No Nukes contingent (see details on each below) will be marching side by side, so you can join one and visit the other as you march!

1.  The Faith Contingent, organized by California Interfaith Power and Light, will spotlight the commitment of leaders of faith communities to the cause.  They will gather at 9:15 am at Ferry Park for a multi-faith prayer service, Shabbat service and send off. Then they will re-group across the street at the designated place in the march line-up at Embarcadero Plaza.  The march begins at 11:00, goes up Market Street, and ends with a resource fair and creation of the largest street murals project. Religious headwear, clerical collars, stoles, banners, shirts and signs that proudly celebrate your religious community's participation are all warmly encouraged! It will be helpful to RSVP for the Faith Gathering by clicking here.

2.  The No Nukes! No Wars! No Warming! Contingent will focus on the twin existential threats posed by climate change and nuclear weapons.  This contingent is sponsored by the Western States Legal Foundation, the SF Bay Area Physicians for Social Responsibility, Tri-Valley CAREs, and the Livermore Conversion Project, an umbrella group of dozens of organizations. Gather at 10am in front of the Vaillancourt Fountain in Embarcadero Plaza. (From Embarcadero BART station walk to the end of Market St. facing the Ferry building and turn left.) Look for the " March for Nuclear Abolution and Global Survival" banner. This contingent will march in section 3 of the march, "We Rise for Democracy." Use their Facebook page for more information, and to help spread the word. RSVP for this contingent by clicking here.

Hope you will join in this event in whatever way fits for you! We recommend using using public transportation – Caltrain, BART, etc.