Vivian Castleberry, pioneer journalist, dies at age 95
OUR CONDOLENCES….
Dear NCJW Members and Friends,
We know you join with us in celebrating the life of Vivian Castleberry and in expressing our deepest sympathy to her family on their loss. One of Dallas’ pioneer journalists, Vivian was equally well known as a leading activist for women’s rights and international peace. Vivian died peacefully at her home on October 4th at the age of 95.
Community Organizing Training for Social Justice Action – ROAR June 25, 2017
Liora Shelher teaching for ROAR
My thinking and approach to social justice action has been transformed by the workshop I attended, called ROAR on Sunday June 25, 2017 at the Dallas JCC. Seeing a number of social justice provisions on track to be eliminated by our current United States government, I have become one of the many passionately motivated individuals looking to join groups, become leaders, learn skills and take actions that lead to effective results. ROAR stands for Resistance, Organizing, Action and Resilience. This workshop, open to the entire Dallas Community, was hosted by NCJW Greater Dallas (National Council of Jewish Women) and JOIN for Justice.
The main action oriented ideas from the meeting that are influencing me now are:
Issues – Carefully choosing issues to champion that have a good chance of success.
Power – Understanding who has the power to influence policy and how we as advocates can enhance our power
House Parties – These are among the personal ways, like meeting for coffee or phone calls or empathetic listening, to connect with like-minded activists.
Stories – The importance of telling meaningful stories to personalize the issues we are championing. This idea reinforces my personal preference.
Evaluation Meetings – The value of a follow-up meeting after events like ROAR for turning enhanced knowledge and inspiration into effective tactics.
Photos from this ROAR Event
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- A large, highly motivated group participated in ROAR training
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- A large group of active participants
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- Jody Rahban from NCJW Washington office and Bobby Gibbs
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- Joanna Ware teaching
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- Active listeners
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- Rosy Stromberg comments
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- Debra Levy-Fritz sharing ideas
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- Suzi Greenman sharing ideas for Grassroots Organizing
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- Liora listening to a new idea
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- Jeanna Foxman and Bobby Gibbs
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- President Joyce Rosenfield listening with group
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- Joanna Ware describing the Power Flower
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- Talking about issues
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- Group interested in Education
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- Lory Engel and Julie Lowenberg
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- Sharing ideas
Group picture – ROAR by Jody Rahban
Story and photos by Laura G. Diamond
We hope you will join our team in this dynamic and growing team working on effective Internet Communications
Day on the Hill – Austin Texas – 2017 A Report
On the way to the Capitol Austin Texas 3-07-17
Every other year the four Texas sections of NCJW gather in Austin to advocate. We estimate that with our families, friends and coalition partners, we influence about 85,000 Texas voters. The issues for this year are Foster Care Reform, Human Trafficking, Public School defense against Charter School Vouchers, and Reproductive Justice.
We go to the capitol prepared with packets and talking points and meet with our Representatives and Senators. During our presentations we focus on specific bills that we favor or oppose. For our Dallas section, our VPs of Public Affairs and our State Policy Advocate, currently Elaine Bernstein and Jayme Cohen plan and schedule the legislative visits, the materials about the current bills, as well as the meeting venues, speakers, and other logistics. Thank you !!
During the day and evening before our Capitol visits, we hear eminent speakers briefing us on this year’s issues. Also, we get to visit with Texas NCJW friends and acquaintances. Most of our NCJW Dallas events include fascinating educational speakers who offer insights into significant current topics.
Given the progressive values of our organization, we often find that our Texas legislators do not agree with our efforts to improve the lives of under-served women, children and families. As we seek legislative support, we often cope with “agreeing to disagree”. Adaptive persistence has been a key element in our International National Council of Jewish Women organization for over 100 years. We always achieve milestones of progress.
Friendships and good food add to the overall bonding and inspiration we get from these legislative visits.
The First Day Experts Spoke to us about the Issues we were going to present to our legislators.
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- 3-06-17 Lunch and Learning
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- Dimple Patel, Senior Policy Analyst Texas Protects
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- Rabbi Alan Freedman, Board Chair Planned Parenthood Dallas
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- Kathy Miller_President Executive Director Texas Freedom Network
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- Nan Little Kirckpatrick , Executive Director of Texas Equal Access Fund (TEA Fund)
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- Senfronia Thompson Texas State Representative, receives Texas Trailblazer Award
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- Kathryn Griffin Grinan, receives Woman Who Dared Award
We prepared our presentations.
At the Capitol
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- NCJW Dallas Advocacy group at the Austin Capitol Entrance 3-07-17
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- NCJW Advocates from 4 Texas Cities with Joe Straus, Texas House Speaker
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- Discussion with Rep Anchia
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- Advocates with Raphael Anchia, Representative
HIPPY Museum trip – the Perot – Science for preschoolers with parents
The HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters, ages 3-5) is a structured, national program for training parents to serve effectively as their children’s first teachers. With the NCJW (National Council of Jewish Women) Dallas+HIPPY field trips program, youngsters … Continue reading →