Normally, this week, we would have observed “Tax Day” when our tax returns are due, and many of us would be thinking about how to spend our refund from the Feds or the State. This year, the due date has been extended, and many of us, instead, are receiving stimulus checks to provide relief to working Americans as we stay at home to flatten the coronavirus’ epidemiologic curve.

If you are fortunate enough to not need the full amount you receive from your refund or stimulus check, and are able to help others, please consider supporting some of the local non-profit organizations with whom Judea Reform Congregation  regularly partners. 

In normal times, we provide in-kind, in-person, and/ or financial assistance to organizations that are doing some very heavy lifting right now - feeding people who are hungry, sheltering people experiencing homelessness, resettling refugees and supporting immigrants, helping build  affordable housing in our area, and organizing ourselves to change systems that keep people in poverty and hardship. Please consider supporting our community partners as generously as you are able.

Helping the most vulnerable: Food Security and Shelter

Urban Ministries of Durham (UMD) and Families Moving Forward (FMF - formerly Genesis Home) are the only two shelters in Durham that are open to all -- regardless of faith or sexuality -- and that are operating following CDC hygiene and distancing recommendations.

Urban Ministries of Durham <https://umdurham.org/>  UMD provides shelter and meals to all people experiencing homelessness and hunger, regardless of faith, sexual orientation or gender identity. The city and county have provided support for clients to move to a place where they can offer appropriate social distancing and hygiene. To support Urban Ministries, please visit https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/UMDurham or their website to support via their Amazon wishlist. 

• Monthly, our Social Action Sunday teams donate, prepare and serve dinner to clients at Urban Ministries of Durham’s Community Cafe. 

• Now, during the COVID-19 crisis, in an organized effort to stop the spread among our homeless population, the City of Durham and UMD have temporarily housed over 200 city homeless shelter clients in a hotel. And our help is still needed to prepare dinner for 200+ clients on Sunday April 26. Our dedicated and able inter-congregational team, led by Judea’s Judy Holland and Beth El’s Bob Wechsler and Community Member Fran Presma, have modified this monthly mitzvah to follow city and state social-distancing guidelines! See details and sign up to help (make a casserole, donate other needed items or help with prep team: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0f4cadad29a1fe3-jewish1)

Families Moving Forward    <https://fmfnc.org/> Formerly known as Genesis Home in Durham, Families Moving Forward is the other City of Durham-supported agency that offers shelter for families experiencing homelessness; FMF provides education and support for parents to build the skills they need to become self-reliant community members. In partnership with two other congregations, Judea Reform congregants regularly host two quarterly dinners and an evening of childcare so that parents can attend programming. In the midst of the COVID crisis, Families Moving Forward is working with a local catering company to safely provide meals for these families with children. You can support FMF and their work to feed and house families through https://fmfnc.org/donate, or sending a check (writing “COVID” in the memo line will restrict funds to providing catered meals during the crisis), or through their Amazon Wishlist. Contact Judea Lay Leader Tina Prinstein for more information. 

IFC (Inter Faith Council) < http://www.ifcweb.org/> You may know IFC through our High Holy Day Food Drive. IFC offers a food bank, shelter and community kitchen to people in need in Chapel Hill and Orange County. 

Food Bank Of Central and East NC <https://foodbankcenc.org/> A regular beneficiary of our Tzedakah Box, the Food Bank is here for the long haul, serving community members in 34 counties. The Food Bank needs financial contributions and volunteers, and is working to follow CDC guidelines for social distancing.

Meals on Wheels of Durham <https://www.mowdurham.org/> provides nutritious week day meals and weekend supplements to serve home-bound elderly, frail, disabled, convalescing and others who cannot provide proper nutrition for themselves. Annually (and for 39 consecutive years,) Judea Reform congregants support Meals On Wheel each year providing food, cooking, and delivery of a hearty Christmas Dinner meal. JRC also supports Meals on Wheels of Durham with our Mitzvah Day pet food project, and occasional drive for nutrition supplements for the weekend program.

Meals on Wheels is still rolling during COVID-19 and needs both financial support and volunteers.

Durham Public Schools Foundation <https://www.bullcityschools.org/> DPS Foundation has stepped up in a BIG way to feed Durham school kids and families. See info on the new Durham Feast program: https://www.durhamfeast.org/sites The Feast program is funded by the DPS Foundation. Judea congregant Mayor Schewel and his wife offered a $10,000 challenge grant to this worthy cause. DPS Foundation/Feast needs financial support and volunteers.

Affordable Housing: Our Habitat Partners

Habitat of Durham <http://www.durhamhabitat.org/> and Habitat of Orange County <https://www.orangehabitat.org/> While builds have ceased, Habitat is working with homeowners, many of whom have lost income due to the pandemic shut downs, to be able to make mortgage payments. Contact JRC Lay Leader Lloyd Comstock for more info.

Community Organizing

Durham CAN <https://www.durhamcan.org/> Our community organizing partner continues to work remotely. At last night’s Metro Council Meeting, the reality that Covid affects everything we do, was underscored: housing, jobs, unsheltered citizens. CAN has an engaging new lead organizer who is keeping things moving in this crisis. Consider a contribution - or joining JRC’s CAN team. Contact JRC Lay Leader Sonia Laurie for more info. 

Carolina Jews for Justice <https://www.carolinajewsforjustice.org/>  CJJ is a grassroots network committed to creating a more just, fair, and compassionate North Carolina. CJJ builds relationships where people help each other because individuals have a profound responsibility for the well-being of the whole. CJJ has been doing incredible organizing and community building on a variety of topics, including immigrant justice, labor/living wage issues,  See their “Pledge Your Check” campaign to support those who are left out of the Covid/Stimulus programs: https://www.carolinajewsforjustice.org/pledge_your_check

Refugee and Immigrant Justice

CWS Durham <CWSRDU.org> Our Refugee Resettlement and Immigrant Justice Initiative partners closely with CWS. While no new refugees are entering the US at this point, those who have most recently arrived are not eligible for support under the CARES Act. They, along with undocumented immigrants, who also will receive no governmental support, are among the most vulnerable in our community. You can contribute to the CWS-administered Immigrant Solidarity Fund by clicking the appropriate box on the donation page (general contributions will support local refugees).  

• Sewing non-medical masks? Immigrants and refugees are in need of masks! Many are front-line workers. Please email Monique via  mmaness@cwsglobal.org (for CWS clients) or Allison Mahaley <allison.mahaley@gmail.com> (for Apoyo community members)

SiembraNC  <https://siembranc.org/> 

Siembra NC is an organization of Latinx people defending our rights & building power “with papers and without papers” with member leadership teams in Alamance, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Orange and Randolph counties, established in 2017. Options to contribute to Immigrant Solidarity Funds in the Triangle and statewide (Triangle fund is administered by CWS Durham - see above)

El Refugio at Stewart <https://www.elrefugiostewart.org/> Farther away, but supporting immigrants from the Triangle and around the world. Less than a year ago, a group from Judea Reform visited Stewart Detention Center and El Refugio coordinated our visits with people detained there. Stewart, like all ICE detention camps is closed to visitors, but Covid-19 is being brought in by staff and newly arriving detainees. Contributions to El Refugio are assisting immigrants by putting funds on their commissary accounts so they can purchase phone calls to family, soap and other hygiene supplies (the for profit company that runs the facility does not provide these essential items) and supplemental food. El Refugio also provides assistance to people who are released and those who are deported.  (Before the pandemic, we had planned for El Refugio’s Director to visit and speak at Judea this month. We hope to re-organize that event and offer it online.)

YOUR LOCAL RESTAURANTS

Many of our local restaurants have adapted their businesses to offer family style meals, and contactless take out. Some are organizing community deliveries to local parks. Consider supporting your local restaurants and employees with your stimulus check!