Rabbi Diana's Weekly Message

Dear Hevre,

There are two subjects I would like to share with you.

The whole world, the Jewish world and in particular the disability rights world, lost a warrior activist and teacher this week with the sudden death of Judith Heumann, of blessed memory.

You can read her obituary in the New York Times: Judy Heumann, Who Led the Fight for Disability Rights, Dies at 75

Rabbi Gil Steinlauf wrote a powerful piece describing how Judy lovingly, forcefully and kindly changed his life by interrupting his dehumanizing (and very common) assumptions about people with disabilities.

https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/when-judy-heumann-schooled-me-about-the-truth/?fbclid=IwAR3oHFoYw-j_LmcS7dkdt-1_l-uk1ytscQXOpivh37Cm4rXQsTgLDMYvGEQ

Please take the time to learn more about this "mother of the disability rights movement"

by reading through Judy's website which includes a recording of her recent funeral at Adas Israel in DC: http://www.judithheumann.com

Zichrona l’vracha. May Judy’s memory be for a blessing.

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As I have been thoroughly engrossed in reading and discussing The Last Kings of Shanghai, I’m reminded at how recently the world closed its doors to Jews who were desperately trying to leave Europe. I hope that everybody will attend the Yom HaShoah evening in April when Debra Brosan will share her family's journey surviving the Holocaust by fleeing to Shanghai.

Tragically, there are still today countless people in need of asylum. Right now, the Biden administration has proposed a harmful and inhumane asylum ban. This highly restrictive policy would prohibit most asylum seekers from exercising their legal right to ask for safety and will force vulnerable people to remain in dangerous situations. 

Drawing on its Jewish values and history, HIAS is asking people to submit a comment to the federal register opposing the asylum ban. If you agree with this sentiment and would like to take action for refugees and asylum seekers, please fill out the form below, add a few of your own words to the pre-populated message, and HIAS will deliver the comments on your behalf to the Biden administration.

The comment deadline is March 27, so we only have a few weeks to make a real difference!

https://act.hias.org/page/49543/survey/1

May we be inspired to act by those who fight and have fought for justice.

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I look forward to seeing you for Kabbalat Shabbat at 7:00 pm this evening in person or on Zoom.

Tomorrow morning from 10:00 am to noon we will be having Contemplative Shabbat in person (and on Zoom) for the first time since before COVID!

Finally, I’ll look forward to seeing many of you at David Stoller’s presentation on Alex Katz Sunday at 11:00 am. Please pre-register. The link is in the e-bulletin.

Shabbat shalom,

Rabbi Diana - Please write me at: rabbidianamiller@gmail.com