Letter to the Editor (unpublished)

The following letter to the editor was submitted to the Star Tribune by a Jewish Community Action member:

It was disturbing to read in the March 28 Star Tribune article by Bob von Sternberg, "Seeking Good Homes," that "about 2400 homeless people stay in shelters or on the streets of MInneapolis and Hennepin County on any given night." partially due to a lack of affordable housing.

Last Sunday, I went door knocking for the Minneapolis Affordable Housing Coalition for a better condo conversion ordinance and learned that there are hundreds of units of affordable rental housing being converted to condominiums every year. The city does have an initiative to build new afforfdable housing, but unfortunately their investment has beenundermined by condo conversions. In 2004 the city funded 214 affordable rental units, while in the same year 402 affordable units were converted to condos, offsetting the city's investment by -188 units.

As a community member, I support a better condo conversion ordinance that would help preserve affordable housing and reduce the number of homeless in our city, as well as maintain economic diversity in our neighborhoods.

Reva Rosenbloom
Minneapolis, MN

JCA Blog

40,000 + 100

Yesterday, as many as 40,000 people from around Minnesota Marched for Immigration with Dignity. This gathering--possibly the largest of its kind EVER to make its way to the steps of the State Capitol--signaled the willingness of Minnesotans from all walks of life to STAND UP to the hatemongerers, to the zenophobes, to the racists and say YES to the rights of hard-working, honest immigrants, regardless of their nation of origin or their current status.

But among the 40,000, about 100 people, members of Jewish Community Action, marched with a white banner proclaiming our organizational affiliation and alliance with immigrants in their struggle. Yes, we were only a tiny fraction of the marchers, most of whom were immigrants from many Mexico, Central and South America, and many other countries around the globe, but our presence there was significant.

We showed that Jews can be allies in the struggles of others, that Jews understand what it was like to "have been a stranger in a strange land," that Jews understand the significance of the injunction "zakhor" (remember!), that Jews can understand who we are while offering support to others in their struggles.

Most of all, the presence of Jewish people and Jewish Community Action on April 9th, 2006 demonstrated that we will act from our values to work for justice for everybody.

As we prepare for the holiday of Passover, during which we annually recount the ancient Israelite exodus from Egyptian bondage, let us keep in our hearts and minds the understanding that many others still struggle for their liberation from bondage and oppression, and let us deepen our commitment to freedom and justice for all.

Hag sameach - a zeisen Pesach - happy and healthy Passover.