Join us for this informative and timely forum brought to us by Na'aseh

The Torah, which contains the most sacred principles of our Jewish faith, commands us to "welcome the stranger" no less than 36 times. Our Jewish values and our shared, broader moral values compel us to treat others the way that we would want to be treated.

Challenges for people coming to our neighborhoods and for those wishing to welcome them are great. Come learn from our speakers who have been working directly with people newly arrived to our country. Step beyond the toxic political rhetoric to help figure out how we can help.

This event is open to all - the CBE community and the public.  If you are unable to join us in person, we welcome you to join us via Zoom.

For our planning purposes and/or to receive the Zoom link, please sign up below to let us know you are coming!

Questions? Email socialaction@bethelohim.org.

Speakers Bios:

Sophie Gillard is the Lead Organizer at JALSA (Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action) with expertise in immigration issues. Sophie graduated from Barnard College of Columbia University with majors in Anthropology and Human Rights, and minors in History and French. At Barnard and in her hometown of Houston, she worked in immigration clinics providing refugees and asylum seekers with free legal services. She also organized to build support for children and adults incarcerated in immigration detention centers in Texas.

Jeff Handler, PhD, is Chief Program Officer for Making Opportunity Count, a non-profit Community Action Agency covering the north-central county of MA.   M.O.C. operates dozens of social service programs from WIC, Meals on Wheels, housing, and health programs to Head Start, Energy and Fuel Assistance.  M.O.C. also contracts with the state and operates 10 Family Emergency Shelters in MA including shelters in Concord and Acton.  Dr. Handler has worked in the private non-profit industry for more than 30 years.

State Senator Jamie Eldridge has served as State Senator for the Middlesex and Worcester district since January 2009, representing 12 communities in Metrowest. Senator Eldridge has focused his energies on Beacon Hill on increasing investments in public education and transportation, combating climate change, making healthcare a right, stimulating the economy, advocating for affordable housing, reforming our criminal justice system, advancing campaign and ethics reform, protecting the environment, supporting immigrants, making government more transparent and updating our election and campaign finance laws. He grew up in Acton, and now lives in Marlborough.