Jews United for Justice

JUFJ engages Jews from across the Washington area in advocacy campaigns to improve the lives of everyone in the region. Hundreds of JUFJ volunteers choose the issues to work on, plan the events and programs, and mobilize fellow community members to take part.

JUFJ’s Paid Sick Days campaign is working to ensure that workers never have to choose between their health and their jobs. DC’s sick leave law excludes thousands of tipped restaurant workers from this key benefit. This campaign brings together worker justice, food justice, and public health.

Jeremiah Fellowship! During this nine-month program, Fellows come together twice monthly to learn different models of putting values into action, for intimate conversations with leaders in Washington’s Jewish and activist worlds, and for intensive study of Jewish texts and traditions.

A group of members formed the Anti-Racism Initiative to make JUFJ a strong anti-racist ally organization. We educate ourselves and the Jewish community, build relationships with organizations led by people of color, and create opportunities for JUFJ members to connect with a diverse group of allies.

JUFJ’s Justice and Jewish Thought Class examines a range of contemporary social justice issues that combines cutting-edge justice education with a deep reflection on Jewish life and values. The course presents a unique opportunity for participants to build community with a small group of committed people while sharpening their understanding of social justice issues.

Labor on the Bimah engages 30 congregations each Labor Day Weekend in worker’s rights education. Labor on the Biah weaves together labor issues, social justice and Judaism, in an effort to bring meaning and reflection back into Labor Day. The program is a part of Labor in the Pulpits, an annual nationwide program of Interfaith Worker Justice that takes place on Labor Day Weekend.

Tikkun Leil Shabbat is a welcoming, restful, songful, soulful, spirited, egalitarian Sabbath service featuring a teaching about a social justice issue, followed by a potluck vegetarian dinner. People come to Tikkun Leil Shabbat to sing, pray, learn from each other, and educate ourselves about the good work people are doing to make our city a gentler and fairer place. where together we glimpse redemption at dusk on Friday evenings.

JUFJ’s guide to responsible buying works to ensure that Jewish simchas/celebrations reflect Jewish ethics and values. The Green and Just Celebrations guide suggests ways to prioritize workers’ rights and minimize environmental impact when making purchasing decision. We distribute the guide, license versions for areas beyond DC, teach workshops in the Jewish community, and are undertaking a major revision.

The Labor Seder engages the community with a call to action each Passover through a 300+ guest seder linking our story of freedom to present struggles. As the story reminds us that it is our duty to side with the oppressed, and not with the Pharaohs in our community, each year the Labor Seder gives our community an opportunity to get involved.

Location

PO Box 41485
Washington, DC 20018