ADVOCATING FOR
A BETTER WORLD

You’ll find us at City Hall, in Albany, and in Washington D.C. speaking up for needs specific to UJA’s network of nonprofits, the Jewish community, and the social service sector, such as standing up to antisemitism, caring for vulnerable Holocaust survivors, and combating food insecurity. And we’re engaging the community in action, through volunteer opportunities that express a Jewish response to social justice issues — including MLK Day and 9/11 Day of Service. 

OUR IMPACT

Holocaust Survivors

We launched a petition and organized meetings with the Governor’s office and state legislators that helped secure $1.5 million in New York State funding to support social services for Holocaust survivors.

Security Projects

We mobilized our community to petition Members of Congress to protect vulnerable institutions. Thanks to our advocacy, we helped secure funding for the Federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program that increased funding from $90 million to $180 million for security projects at day care centers, JCCs, nonpublic schools, and houses of worship.

Climate Justice

We’re supporting greater awareness and advocacy for green policies that work toward a more sustainable and healthy environment through our funding of Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Justice and Hazon. 

We’re also fighting for:

• Just Pay - We’ve been actively supporting the 5.4% or $500 million cost of living adjustment for New York State nonprofit human services workers. Because it’s not enough to talk about how vital our nonprofit human services workers are — we need to #JustPay help these essential heroes pay their bills.
  
  
• Racial Justice - We’re responding to a renewed awareness of racial justice in New York.
  
  
• Criminal Justice Reform - We launched the Jewish Coalition on Criminal Justice Reform to create a dialogue among NYC communities about how we can best go about this. 
  
  
• A Better New York - For MLK Day 2022, we partnered with 20 nonprofit partners and recruited thousands of volunteers to give back — virtually and in person — and help those still struggling with Covid’s ongoing toll. We also hosted meaningful learning with Ammud: The Jews of Color Torah Academy and the Shalom Hartman Institute about how we can help everybody feel like they belong and at home in America.