Letter to my community: My faith in Judaism and my faith in unions are one and the same
“I have developed a deep Jewish belief in social justice that has led me to a life of trade unionism,” writes Randi Weingarten.
Trampling on the sacred right to vote
Every person in America deserves a voice and representation in our democracy; these are essential for a vibrant society and for Americans to thrive. That is why voting is a sacred right in America, one that advocates have fought fiercely to expand, over the life of our republic, to Black Americans, women and others who have been left out. But in the last election, anti-democracy forces worked overtime to limit voting rights: purging eligible people from voter rolls, limiting who could vote by mail, reducing ballot drop-off locations, and closing polling places so that many voters had to wait in hours-long lines to cast ballots. This strategy was aggressive, coordinated and targeted—aimed at disenfranchising low-income, young and minority voters.
How to honor Rabin’s legacy
As a teacher, I especially value Rabin’s commitment to next generations. We carry a burden: what world will we leave to our children?
Trump’s COVID-19 School Crisis
Educators and kids should not be bargaining chips.
Safety, not recklessness, must drive reopening of schools
Officials must not reopen school buildings without appropriate conditions and protections in place.
Public Education is a Jewish value
We should be prioritizing additional resources for public education and other vital social programs, not diverting them to private purposes.
‘I can’t breathe’
All Americans must demand an end to racial violence and terror.
Don’t forfeit the future
Republican leaders in the Senate are ignoring the needs in their communities.
Heroes on the frontlines of COVID-19
This has been a month like no other in modern American history. We are in a war against an invisible virus that has required most people to stay home to fight it. With each day of the coronavirus pandemic, Americans have grown increasingly grateful for things we used to take for granted, like grocery workers, without whom we could not meet our most basic needs. Parents have a new appreciation for how complex and demanding teaching is, and for how teachers are helping their children continue learning, stay engaged and stay safe inside during this uneasy time. And then there are our healthcare heroes—the nurses, EMTs, doctors, orderlies, respiratory techs and other workers who put their health and lives at risk every time they report to the frontlines of this pandemic.
Confronting the Coronavirus
We should be clear-eyed about the risks, but we should not panic. It’s essential to understand the impact of decisions such as closing schools.