Thank Our Westchester Leaders

Last month, the Westchester Jewish Council, a UJA partner, brought 15 Westchester elected and public officials to Israel for a powerful, eye-opening trip.

New York is home to the largest Jewish population outside Israel, and these public officials’ willingness to learn firsthand about issues that impact our community is deeply important — especially given the demands of this time of year.

A quick note from you goes a long way. Let our leaders know their time and commitment to understanding our community are truly appreciated. And please feel free to share this page with your own community networks.

UJA Action Priorities

UJA mobilizes our greater community around critical issues that impact us. Together, we work to create a more secure and equitable future for all.

  • Antisemitism

    Antisemitic incidents in the U.S. increased by 200% after October 7, 2023. In 2024, some 54% of hate crimes in New York City were anti-Jewish.

    UJA is advocating for legislation that protects Jewish communities from hate and discrimination, including the Antisemitism Awareness Act.

    The Antisemitism Awareness Act protects students from discrimination on college campuses; other bills we advocate for protect students at all education levels.

    Since October 7, the Jewish community has experienced increased antisemitic intimidation and harassment, including the use of flags and symbols of terrorist organizations. UJA is leading efforts to amend legislation that will protect the Jewish community from these attacks.

    Currently, the use of a swastika, noose, or burning cross to intimidate and harass is unlawful. UJA is actively supporting legislative efforts at the New York State level that update the aggravated harassment law to reflect new threats to the Jewish community and include the use of flags and symbols from designated foreign terrorist organizations.

  • Securing Jewish Communal Organizations

    In the face of unrelenting hate, it’s critical to protect the organizations at the heart of our Jewish communal life: schools, camps, synagogues, JCCs, and more.

    UJA is fighting for legislation and funding that strengthen the security of these spaces, which are vital to our way of life and our shared future.

    The Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes (SCAHC) program provides grants to nonprofits at risk of hate crimes or attacks because of ideology and belief-driven missions.

    UJA is urging the New York State Legislature to support a $35 million investment in SCAHC in the Governor’s Executive Budget. This funding will help position our institutions to better secure their facilities with interior and exterior improvements. At the same time, UJA has taken steps to further ensure the safety of our communal institutions, including:

    • Expanding emergency funding to help our Community Security Initiative (CSI) bolster security at 400 under-resourced Jewish institutions in the New York area.

    • Increasing funding to 11 Hillels serving over 20 campuses to strengthen Jewish programming, support mental health, increase campus organizers, and provide legal aid for those facing harassment.

    • Equipping HR professionals with training on modern antisemitism and ways to support their Jewish employees in this charged moment.

  • Keeping Students Safe

    All students, no matter their backgrounds or schools, deserve a safe and healthy learning environment in which they can thrive and grow to reach their full potential.

    UJA is calling for increased funding for government reimbursements for safety equipment and upgrades to keep students safe.

    Government reimbursement for safety expenses in religious and independent schools is essential to provide all students with equitable care and learning environments.

    UJA is advocating for a $20 million increase in government funding for the Nonpublic School Safety Equipment program, bringing the total to $90 million, to reimburse religious and independent schools for essential safety and health expenses. This includes repairing and upgrading older buildings and investing in new equipment and systems to ensure students’ safety.

  • Food Insecurity

    Today, 50% of New Yorkers can’t afford basic necessities. Nearly 1.3 million New Yorkers are struggling to feed themselves and their families.

    UJA is advocating for increased funding for anti-hunger programs.

    UJA is advocating to increase government support for food access, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as "food stamps"). UJA is also advocating to raise the SNAP monthly minimum benefit level for struggling families.

    We provide culturally appropriate food to those in need through our neighborhood hubs in Brooklyn and Queens and throughout our network of social welfare agencies.

  • Supporting Our Network of Nonprofits

    More than 80,000 social workers, counselors, case managers, and other professionals — the human services and nonprofit workforce — support vulnerable populations and deliver critical services in New York.

    UJA is pushing for legislation and funding that ensure these workers receive cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). COLAs reflect the rising cost of living in both New York State and New York City and ensure wages are in line with inflation.

    Supporting our partner agencies and their staff is central to UJA, which funds a large network of nonprofit agencies throughout New York City, Westchester, and Long Island. Because these human services workers are employed by nonprofit organizations and are not technically government employees, they don’t automatically receive cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to their salaries like their government counterparts and often struggle to make ends meet.

    UJA is supporting this workforce by advocating for legislation and policies ensuring human services workers receive COLAs.

  • Aging With Dignity

    By 2040, one in five adults is expected to be 65 or older, and the number of adults age 85+ is expected to double. In addition, 50% of Holocaust survivors in New York are living in poverty.

    UJA is advocating for increased funding for federal and New York State programs that support survivors and older adults.

    UJA fights for increased government funding for programs that provide case management, caregiver training, end-of-life care, and other essential services. Caring for seniors is a foundational Jewish value, and we’ll help ensure older adults can age with the dignity they deserve.

  • Supporting Children and Families

    New York is the most expensive state for preschool and school-age childcare. More than half of New York State is considered a childcare desert, which means parents have to leave the workforce because they can’t access affordable childcare.

    UJA supports children and families every day through our partner agencies that provide childcare and services, and we’re fighting for policies that increase the quality of life for families in New York.

    UJA is working to increase the funding of STEM education and afterschool programming to bridge gaps in opportunity. We’re also strong proponents of expanding the Child Tax Credit, which helps lift millions of families out of poverty. We firmly believe in the potential of all children, regardless of their backgrounds, and in the central role families play in shaping healthy, resilient communities.

Learn More about UJA’s Advocacy

Learn More

FAQ

  • UJA is a 501(c)3 – how does UJA Action operate given restrictions on political activity?

    For an organization to be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) it can’t participate in any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office. UJA Action is not about politics, it's about policies – civic engagement and legislation being considered by our elected representatives.

  • I live outside of New York; can I get involved in UJA Action?

    UJA Action mobilizes the Jewish community in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island. Because opportunities for action are based on where you live and engaging with your representative, non-New York residents won’t receive outreach about legislative items.

  • What level of policy does UJA Action focus on? Federal, state, or local?

    UJA Action advocates for legislation and policies at all levels of government. Each level of government passes legislation that impacts people on a daily basis, and we’re in touch with elected officials across New York State to fight for policies that matter to the Jewish community.

  • What types of issues will UJA Action be engaging in?

    UJA Action works to address issues of the utmost importance to the Jewish community and our network of nonprofit agencies: confronting antisemitism, addressing food insecurity, advocating for fair wages, and supporting children and families, as well as older adults.

  • How do you decide which issues UJA Action will focus on? What makes the cut/what doesn’t?

    UJA is a member of many coalitions that include our agencies and advocates, and these coalitions jointly fight for issues that matter to our community – food insecurity, fair wages for human services workers, and more. We draw from these issues, issues that impact our agencies and clients, and issues that the Jewish community is facing. We monitor legislative efforts and current events to construct a legislative agenda that’s responsive to need and meets the moment. Of course, there are many more issues that affect people daily that UJA works to address that are not included in our specific legislative agenda, and you can learn more about how UJA is supporting communities here.

  • What happens to my contact information once I sign up?

    We send UJA Action emails about once a month, depending on who your representative is. We keep your information confidential and safe in accordance with our privacy policy.

    Questions about UJA Action? Contact Anna Bessendorf.

UJA Action