UUJME Brief Situation Update
Two million Palestinians in Gaza are being starved and bombed, still! Please find a way to take action: write letters, show up for protests, make phone calls, and VERY IMPORTANTLY work on increasing the number of UUs who are involved collectively. You can build these numbers by sharing this email with your congregation's religious professionals and leaders.
Yesterday, the Israeli military bombed a vehicle carrying staff from World Central Kitchen, killing seven people. As a result, the organization has halted its relief operations.
The United Nations Security Council resolution for a ceasefire is an important step. But it won't help until sufficient pressure is brought to bear on the enablers of the genocide - the United States and our tax dollars. Every action you take builds pressure for the end of this nightmare. You make a difference!
The situation is causing an increase in requests for help in forming local UUJME chapters - we are growing! Three new chapters formed in March, and we have more requests for information in April. As a result, we also need more volunteers. Reply if you are able to help with welcoming, communications, data crunching, or Zoom support.
Sign up for these important events happening in April.
Sign up for these important events happening in April.
Challenge Christian Zionism: Online Training April 3 & Actions Mon. and Tues. April 8-9 in D.C.
Event Training, Wednesday April 3, 5 pm Pacific/8 pm Eastern
You don't have to be Christian to support and attend this event!
Christians for a Free Palestine is calling for a mass mobilization to Washington DC, April 8-9, in order to use a public voice and collective power to challenge Christian Zionism, advocate for a permanent ceasefire, demand an end to U.S. military aid to Israel, and ensure a long-lasting, just, and sustainable peace for Palestinians and Israelis.
On Tuesday, April 9, hundreds of Christians will hold a public peace service outside the Capitol, praying, singing, and breaking bread together, while others take action to amplify our demands.
Event Training, Wednesday April 3, 5 pm Pacific/8 pm Eastern
Register for the April 3rd online training: https://christiansforafreepalestine.com/events/dc-info-call-4-3
In-Person Events on Monday and Tuesday April 8-9:
On Monday, April 8, there is a comprehensive training in Washington DC to prepare all those who plan to take peaceful action.
Register for April 8-9 in-person event: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJmzzXentPSWF-xHrenlQ1SVThHNeW1gz8EJYu-PE3ZYTG-w/viewform
As concerned UUs across the country try to make UUs more visible at actions, please type "Unitarian Universalist" in the Denomination field so you can be connected with a UU organizer for meeting up and attending together as a group.
You can check out the Christians for a Free Palestine's principles at https://christiansforafreepalestine.com/about.
Educational Event Date: Sun. April 7 at 12:30-2:00 pm Eastern on Zoom (9:30-11 am Pacific)
UUJME Webinar - Resources for UUs Engaging on Israel/Palestine
Register: https://www.uujme.org/resources_for_uus_engaging_on_israel_palestine
During this 1.5-hour event, you will learn about the Palestine/Israel conflict and the situation in Gaza from excerpts of a recorded video of 6 UU ministers and 3 people from Palestine/Israel. Following the video presentation, you will be invited to attend facilitated breakout room discussions using the approach in a UUA commissioned template for congregational conversations designed with the intention to create safe spaces for sharing.
Ceasefire Now Advocacy Days with Peace Action and Co-Sponsors: April 9-19 - in person and virtual options - Speak Truth to Power!
UUJME and other organizations have endorsed this event led by Peace Action.
Learn more and see the list of co-sponsors: https://www.peaceaction.org/2024/03/20/grassroots-advocacy-days-spring-2024/
When you register, you will receive an email with details about optional virtual lobby trainings on April 3 and April 4. Don't delay signing up if you can only do virtual lobbying!
Educational Event Date: Tuesday April 30, 6 pm Pacific/9 pm Eastern - Virtual Talk and Q&A with Raz Segal
Israeli historian, Associate Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies
"Israel and Gaza: The Question of Genocide, International Law, and the Struggle for Palestinian Liberation"
Visit https://bit.ly/49fHwSN for details.
The Palestine-Israel Justice Team of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego invites you to join us for a virtual talk titled “Israel and Gaza: The Question of Genocide, International Law, and the Struggle for Palestinian Liberation” with guest speaker Prof. Raz Segal, Israeli historian, Associate Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies, and Endowed Professor in the Study of Modern Genocide at Stockton University. The event will take place via Zoom on Tuesday, April 30th, at 6pm PDT. You can register for the event here.
Dr. Segal will discuss a number of topics, including the definition of genocide under international law and how it applies to Israel’s, and possibly Hamas’, conduct on and after October 7th as well as within the context of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict; the international response to the horrific violence; potential interventions by the international community; and what we as individuals can do to help bring an end to this appalling human tragedy. After his presentation, Dr. Segal will conduct a Q&A with the audience.
Dr. Segal has held a Harry Frank Guggenheim Fellowship and a Fulbright Fellowship and was recently a Senior Fellow at the Vienna Wiesenthal Institute for Holocaust Studies (2023). His publications include Genocide in the Carpathians: War, Social Breakdown, and Mass Violence, 1914-1945 (2016); and Days of Ruin: The Jews of Munkács during the Holocaust (2013). He was also guest editor of the Hebrew-language special issue on Genocide: Mass Violence and Cultural Erasure of Zmanim: A Historical Quarterly (2018).
This event is co-sponsored by UUs for Justice in the Middle East.
Questions? Send email to [email protected]
UUJME Google Actions and Info Doc
This document is available for you to view and use to take actions at any time. Link for view access to this doc; feel free to share:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Sd0qMqrDoFZNMS4iT-KHoWeSGpTQZY6lh7N2HHqSYkw/edit?usp=sharing
Every Day and Every Friday - Take Action for Ceasefire online with JVP and AFSC
There are often excellent speakers during these online gatherings.
Every day at 12 pm Pacific/3 pm Eastern, take action for ceasefire with Jewish Voice for Peace.
Register at this link.
If the Zoom room is full, join here: https://www.youtube.com/@JewishVoiceforPeace/streams.
Every Friday, take action with the American Friends Service Committee.
To register: https://secure.afsc.org/a/afsc-action-hour-ceasefire-now
