Jews For Racial & Economic Justice Action

And we know that there are so many more of us who believe in the shared humanity of all people than the governments and institutions who claim to represent us would have us believe.” —JFREJ Deputy Director Shifra Sered

I grieve with all of you here today who lost loved ones before, during and after October 7th. We know that our grief is expansive and does not stop at any borders.

The scale of destruction, the collective punishment that has been wrought on the Palestinian people is unfathomable. It is unconscionable. And it is being done, as we all know, in our name and with our tax dollars.

“While we stand together holding the grief and loss of October 7th and the violence that predated it, we also acknowledge and forcefully condemn what has come after it- the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.

Two sets of hands holding memorial candles

the attendees of Israelis for Peace second October 7th memorial vigil

Councilmember Shahana Hanif, City Comptroller Brad Lander, Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams lighting each others memorial candles

Individual lighting a memorial candle

As we commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the atrocities of October 7th, we do so while recommitting to bringing about an end to the ongoing and worsening genocide in Gaza. We invite you to listen to the full remarks of JFREJ Deputy Director, Shifra Sered, excerpted below:

To the Editor: Re “Child Care for All Gets a New Look” (Business, Sept. 25): It is refreshing to see the prospect of universal child care cast as a driver of economic growth and development as women enter or return to the work force. While I have nothing against children (I have two of them myself), it is a mistake to limit the analysis of costs and benefits to the early childhood end of the spectrum. Caregiving, especially care for older adults and disabled people, imposes the same burdens on families as the lack of affordable child care. It takes caregivers, primarily women, out of the work force and reduces lifetime earnings and disposable income. Indeed, some three in 10 New York City voters over 40 are now caring or have cared for an older family member. I salute Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York, for centering affordable child care in his campaign and hope that it will plant the seeds for the indispensability of care across the life span. Phyllis Arnold Brooklyn

Proud to see JFREJ member Phyllis Arnold's take on the importance of care in this mayoral election highlighted in the @nytimes.com Friday

Our hearts are with the Jewish community of Manchester ❤️‍🩹

This last 24 hours have been wretched. The attack in Manchester is horrific antisemitic violence. My heart goes out to the community, the victims and their family and friends. No Jewish person should face or risk violence going to synagogue or participating in Jewish life. Thank you to everyone who reached out and checked in.

The worst outcome of this attack would be for it to be used as justification for further divide and rule politics: increased surveillance and policing of muslim communities, further attacks on the Palestine movement, increased police powers et al. Acknowledging this likely scenario (Tommy Robinson is already in full swing) does not take away from the grief and fear so many Jews are feeling today.

Rather, we must understand how our grief is politicised by those who care very little about our actual wellbeing, to degrade and target others. We must say loudly and clearly that this is unacceptable. The only way we defeat racialised violence is by fighting for a world we look out for each other, where our safety and wellbeing is seen as intertwined.

The UK is increasingly a hostile place to minorities and marginalised communities. Muslim communities, asylum seekers, trans folks, and Jewish communities are all at risk from the far-right resurgence, extremism and a Government that prefers fuelling culture wars than building a clear alternative to this racist and violent politics. We are in dire straits.

My comrade + Jewish sister Em Hilton has shared these words. I wholeheartedly agree with everything she has to say, including (in the next set of posts) her advice to log off and interrogate your own prejudices. I've seen some of the comments she describes on my own posts. (1/2)

We are heartbroken to emerge from Yom Kippur into news of the attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation in Manchester. No one should face violence for attending synagogue services and our hearts are with the victims and their families at this terrible time. For many in our community, this news may only just be reaching you after a day spent in prayer, reflection, and fasting. To be confronted with such awfulness in this moment is particularly painful: please know that you are not alone.

In moments like this, it is vital that our communities - Jewish and non-Jewish alike hold one another close. Our safety and liberation depend on solidarity between all those who are marginalised and targeted, and we must not allow those who seek to divide us to succeed. Every person deserves to live, gather, and worship in safety and dignity. We condemn this act of violence unequivocally, and restate our commitment to building a world where this kind of horror is no longer possible.

Our hearts are with the victims and their families at this terrible time.

Grateful to Rabbis for Ceasefire, @jfrejnyc.bsky.social and the other organizers of yesterday's mass mourning and collective atonement at Brooklyn Borough Hall.

Let us steady and care for one another, and persevere together. #YomKippur

Is It Possible to Atone for Genocide? An investigation through Jewish text on responsibility and culpability in the face of mass death.

As we prepare for Yom Kippur, @jfrejnyc.bsky.social ED Audrey Sasson & Rabbi Avigayil Halperin study several Jewish texts, exploring what teshuvah looks like for the crime of crimes, and what accountability could mean for complicit Jewish leadership.

Study guide also available at the link.

Is It Possible to Atone for Genocide? An investigation through Jewish text on responsibility and culpability in the face of mass death.

G’mar Chatima Tova, please read this interview with our Executive Director Audrey Sasson as we grapple with the state of the world during these Days of Awe ❤️ jewishcurrents.org/is-it-possib...

Events Discover upcoming events with Jews for Racial & Economic Justice (JFREJ). Join us for community gatherings, workshops, and actions focused on justice,…

If you are interested in electing a mayor whose skills extend beyond incredible one-liners check out jfrej.org/events and join our next Jews for Zohran canvass! More details coming soon.

Eric Adams once again proving he can only commit to one thing….the bit

"It’s because of work led by local partners like @jfrejnyc.bsky.social and leaders like @bradlander.bsky.social that we were able to see Jewish New Yorkers show up and help @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social win the Democratic nomination."

Jillian Lipman
Antisemitism Campaign Manager
Bend the Arc
6/x

Join us tomorrow for tot shabbat and make the wheels on the (fast and free) buses go round and round! RSVP here: www.jfrej.org/events/2025/...

100s of protesters standing outside with their fists up - in focus is 5 individuals holding the banner for “Jews for Racial and Economic Justice”

On a wired fence outside 26 Federal Plaza hang posters with the faces and names of individuals kidnapped and detained by ICE

Image of the JFREJ contingent for the ICE out of NY rally, holding the Jews for Racial and Economic Justice Banner

Sign that says “Bring Dylan Home, High School Student, Son, Brother”

JFREJ joined 100s in NYC today to demand #ICEoutofNY #AbolishICE

Take action and call @governor.ny.gov Governor Kathy Hochul at 518-474-8390 and tell her to pass NY4All‼️

@justicecommittee.bsky.social @thenyic.bsky.social @maketheroad.bsky.social @socialists.nyc @ndlon.bsky.social @psc-cuny.org

Hard to see but the amazing @bradlander.bsky.social is speaking now. @maketheroadny.bsky.social @jfrejnyc.bsky.social @thenyic.bsky.social

Join us tomorrow - www.jfrej.org/events/2025/...

This Yom Kippur, we will remember the lives of those taken too soon and too violently from this world. Each person is a whole universe, brimming with dreams and joys and hopes for the future.

Trans Jews Belong Here - keshetonline.org

As we head into Shabbat, we want to specifically wish comfort and care to our fellow trans community members: you are not alone. Trans Jews and our loved ones have always been and will continue to be an intrinsic part of our Keshet and broader Jewish community. As we watch hateful ideas spread, at all levels of government and in the media, that dangerously and inaccurately paint trans people as the problem, know that we will continue to fight.

We will continue to educate our Jewish community about dangerous anti-trans rhetoric and misinformation, and organize and train allies to show up for trans safety, dignity, and rights — until all trans Jews can live authentically and safely, with belonging, dignity, and equality.

If you are looking for resources related to crisis support, community groups, healthcare access, legal support, mutual aid, and more, we invite you to check out this list of resources: keshetonline.org/trans-services-resources

As we head into Shabbat, we want to specifically wish comfort and care to our fellow trans community members: you are not alone. Trans Jews and our loved ones have always been and will continue to be an intrinsic part of our Keshet and broader Jewish community.

Dylan Lopez Contreras speaks about what it’s like to be a student in ICE detention “I feel both physically and mentally drained,” Dylan said, “but I’m still holding on.”

"Dylan dreams of a day he might be released and be able to hug his family, eat good food, and sleep well."

Dylan, an NYC student, was arrested in May at 26 Fed Plaza & has been in detention for over 3 months in destressing conditions. He is getting ready for his hearing & trying to stay positive.

Blue and orange Tot Shabbat for Zohran simple graphic

Join the Tiniest Jews for Zohran for a joyful morn of song, crafts and bagels before canvassing for fast and free buses, childcare, and New York we can all afford - starting with electing @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social for Mayor!

Saturday 9/27
11 AM: Tot Shabbat, Bagels, Coffee, Snacks
Noon: Canvass!

New Yorkers: ICE is arresting electeds for fighting for our immigrant neighbors.

Now is the time to make your voice heard.

Show up for immigrant New Yorkers on September 25th at Foley Square at 6PM ET.

Outside of 26 Federal Plaza, New Yorkers are blocking ICE vans from leaving 26 Federal Plaza. These vans transfer kidnapped immigrants from courts to detention centers.
#ICEoutofNY

What’s happening inside:

Electeds are engaging in an action on the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza, where ICE has inhumanely detained thousands of immigrant New Yorkers and denied electeds entry.

#ICEoutofNY

HAPPENING NOW: We’re at 26 Fed Plaza, where ICE has been kidnapping immigrant NYers, to demand access to the 10th fl - where people are being inhumanely detained - and to block ICE vans from leaving.

We refuse to stand by while ICE abducts our neighbors. Neither should our leaders. #ICEoutofNY

Orange, Blue and Yellow graphic with text “New Yorkers Against ICE - Foley Square, September 25”

Join us Thursday - head to jfrej.org/iceout for more information 📣

Jews wearing yellow blue and orange Jews for Zohran shirts hold JFREJ clipboards saying Vote Your Hopes Not Your Fears and We Schmooze, Fascists Lose

Jews wearing yellow blue and orange Jews for Zohran shirts, smiling

A closeup of a Jewish New Yorker holding a clipboard that says Vote Your Hopes Not Your Fears and wearing a blue New York Jews for Zohran tshirt

A crowd of multigenerational Jewish New Yorkers listen in a park as Chani Nicholas speaks into a mic

JFREJers were proud to join JVP Action & @chaninicholas.bsky.social for today's Jews for Zohran canvass where 200+ Jews took to the doors talking @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social 's plans for free childcare, fast & free buses, freezing the rent, and more. Join us for upcoming canvasses: jfrej.org/events/

Text graphic for Jews for Zohran Canvass with a photo of two individuals, one holding a New York Jews for Zohran rotate bag and another photo of Zohran with an individual wearing a JFREJ pin. Text says: JEWS FOR ZOHRAN CANVASS SUN 9/14 12-4PM | BROOKLYN Jews For Racial & Economic Justice ZONRAN NEW YORK JEWS FoR ZOHRAN RSVP FOR DETAILS JFREJ.ORG/FIELD

Looking for an opportunity to be a Jew for Zohran? Had a blast at the Mazals and are fired up to work to create a New York for ALL? Well the good news is our upcoming #JewsforZohran canvass should be the perfect opportunity to do so! Join us Sunday: jfrej.org/field