Welcome to BHC Justice, which serves as the framework for congregants and the congregation to express our Jewish values and community connections through social justice engagement.
Maryland Legislative Workshop • Jan 15
On Thursday, January 15 at 7 pm, join Baltimore Jewish Council, Jews United for Justice, and the National Council of Jewish Women to learn about issues in the upcoming Maryland legislative session and how you can get involved to make a difference this session, from attending rallies to writing testimony. This event is part of BHC's Winter Nights program, on Zoom.
Register here to receive the event link: Link
If you are interested in being part of a BHC action alert team, please let me know. jsimonknoll@gmail.com.
MLK Event: Righting the Wrongs of the Past and Present: Re-envisioning Youth Justice in Maryland • Jan 18
Please join us for the annual Martin Luther King Weekend Sunday afternoon program on Jan. 18, 2-4 p.m. The program is hosted this year by Har Sinai-Oheb Shalom Congregation, 7310 Park Heights Ave., Baltimore, MD, 21208 and co-sponsored by Hinenu, working with the Synagogue Social Justice Roundtable and Jews United for Justice.
Following a short video presentation, we will hear from a panel of speakers, including:
• Hon. Andre M. Davis - United States Circuit Judge (ret.) and Chair, Maryland Commission on Juvenile Justice Reform
• Natasha Dartigue - Maryland Public Defender
• Delmont Player - Author, Mentor and Conflict Mediator with We Our Us
• (moderator) Melissa Rothstein - General Counsel for Out for Justice and Grant Manager for the Association for the Public Defenders of Maryland
The panel discussion will be followed by a Call to Action in support of legislation in the Maryland General Assembly 2026 session.
Register at https://rb.gy/b91ehy (please register individually for each person attending). This is an in-person program and will not be livestreamed unless a weather event prevents us from meeting in person. All who register will be notified if that happens.
Interfaith Blanket Making Event • Jan 20
Do you want to put your hands to work in service to our Baltimore neighbors? On Tuesday, Jan. 20 from 6 to 8 pm join the Baltimore Jewish Council for an interfaith opportunity to make no-sew blankets for pediatric patients at Sinai Hospital while meeting and mingling with neighbors of all backgrounds. Associated, Goldsmith Campus, Pearlstone Board Room, 5700 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore.
Register: (link)
Baltimore Jewish Council Advocacy Day • Feb 3
Join the BJC on Tuesday February 3 at 4 pm at the Graduate Hotel, 126 West Street, in Annapolis, as we meet with elected officials and discuss legislative priorities of the Jewish Community. Meetings will be followed by a keynote event. Kosher fare will be provided.
Agenda
• 3pm: Bus Departs from Chizuk Amuno Congregation (8100 Stevenson Rd, Baltimore, MD 21208) – prior registration for bus service required
• 4pm: Bus and other attendees arrive at The Graduate Hotel
• 4:15pm: Registration begins
• 5-6pm: Meetings with Legislators
• 6:15-8pm: Reception at The Graduate Hotel (126 West Street, Annapolis)
Learn more here: (link) To register, follow the link and click the "Register here" link for your area.
Fighting Hunger
MAZON: Postcard Campaign closing soon! — Mazon, the Jewish Response to Hunger, has launched a national postcard campaign to flood the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) with messages demanding protection for basic needs programs that help our neighbors put food on the table. The final deadline to submit postcards for the project will be Purim, in early March.
Each postcard will represent 1,000 people experiencing hunger. The goal: 47,000 postcards delivered to the Secretary of Agriculture with a simple message: No one deserves to go hungry. No exceptions.
Our BHC Community will be hosting postcard-writing tables at several upcoming events. Join us any of the following times:
Fri, Jan 23, 6:15pm (URJ Shabbat, before services)
Fri, Jan 30, 6:15pm (Shabbat Service with Becky Mann)
Sun, Mar 1, 11:30am (Purim Carnival & Spiel)
Sign up here to help host a table during the shift of your choice: Mazon Table Hosting
Wellwood Partnership
We have partnered with Wellwood International School, located just down Smith Avenue from BHC. Wellwood serves about 360 students—from over 30 countries—in grades kindergarten through 5.
As an official "Community School" within Baltimore County, Wellwood collaborates with a wide range of organizations in the area to ensure families have the support they need, including access to health and social services. These schools, in turn, become a neighborhood center for not only the education of young children, but the nurturing of whole communities.
One of the ways we can support families is contributing snacks for the preschoolers. They are seeking animal crackers, applesauce pouches, goldfish, etc. (no chocolate). We will also be collecting school supplies throughout the year. Items needed include backpacks, lunch boxes, pencil cases, glue and glue sticks, crayons, colored pencils, markers, tissues, and Clorox wipes.
You can drop items off for Wellwood at BHC in the lobby collection box or order from our Amazon wish list here: link.
In addition to reading and math buddies, Wellwood can use one-time volunteers at occasional events. Stay tuned for upcoming needs. You MUST complete the volunteer training to work at these events, contact Julie Simon 240-393-1323 or jsimonknoll@gmail.com to get started.
Learn more: Get Involved with Wellwood Here!
Immigration
Immigration issues have been a major focus of our social justice work at BHC, including providing education and volunteer opportunities for BHC congregants on immigration and refugee issues in our community, working to meet specific, identified needs, as well as engaging on public policy issues. The highlight of our recent activities has been the BHC Welcome Circle, which has welcomed two Afghan families to Baltimore with a “whole of congregation“ effort to provide support and welcome to these families. We are also building connections with the numerous Afghan families who have settled in this area.
Current efforts include:
• Collection initiatives, including winter clothing and school supplies for our partners Wellwood International School and the Immigration Outreach Service Center (IOSC).
• Encouraging congregants to send letters and emails to the Administration and members of Congress protesting cruel and inhumane immigration policies. Supporting legislation to protect sensitive spaces, including religious congregations, from ICE enforcement activities at the state and federal level.
• Supporting and participating in immigration rights teach-in and know-your rights campaigns, as well as educating on immigrant-focused events and volunteer opportunities.
Use Your Voice
Protest the administration’s plan to jeopardize immigration status
The administration has announced plans to “review and re-interview” all refugees who entered via the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program between January 20, 2021 and February 20, 2025 – approximately 233,000 individuals who were vetted, approved and resettled in the United States after fleeing some of the world’s largest and most violent displacement crises, including Afghanistan. U.S. Customs and Immigration Service already has a backlog of millions of cases. There is much we still don’t know about this announced policy, but it is already creating uncertainty and fear among our immigrant neighbors, including the Afghan families BHC has worked hard to help resettle here in Baltimore.
Please contact your elected representatives and urge them to exercise their oversight responsibilities and support overturning this cruel and unnecessary new policy. Enter your address here to find their contact information. Find more information and talking points from Refugee Council USA here: page
Urge Congress to pass the protecting sensitive locations act
The administration has rescinded a long-standing policy that substantially restricts immigration agents from conducting arrests in or near “sensitive locations” such as hospitals, schools, and houses of worship. This recession threatens fundamental freedom of religion and the ability of immigrants to safely access education and medical care without fear of deportation. The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (S. 455/H.R. 1061) would reinstate the DHS policy and protect sensitive locations (including schools, courthouse, medical facilities and religious institutions) from ICE enforcement actions.
Support the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act here: Link
Direct Service Opportunities & Giving
FOOD COLLECTION
Our Daily Bread
Frozen casseroles and donations for Our Daily Bread. Casseroles may be brought to the Office receptionist during regular office hours. On Monday, January 26, and Monday, February 23, 11–11:30 am, drop off frozen casseroles to BHC.
Healthcare for the Homeless
Health Care for the Homeless serves a particularly vulnerable population and is in need of ready-to eat items, such as granola bars, crackers, trail mix, pretzels, tuna and crackers, cup of noodles, crackers with peanut butter or cheese, etc. Items can be put in a bin marked Health Care for the Homeless in the BHC lobby or purchased from our Amazon wish list here: (link)
GEDCO Cares
Non-perishable Food for GEDCO Cares Food Pantry. Please note GEDCO Cares Food Pantry requests: spaghetti sauce, canned tomatoes, canned veggies, canned tuna, and canned salmon. Non-perishable donations may be placed by the Hoffberger Chapel entrance.
ALL DONATED ITEMS MUST SHELF-STABLE AND NOT EXPIRED. PLEASE CHECK EXPIRATION DATES.
Look for other special events throughout the year to contribute to Bunches of Lunches, Manna House, and more.
CLOTHES COLLECTION
Chana
Current needs are: men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, shoes, linens and stuffed animals. Please drop off donations outside of the Hoffberger Chapel entrance.
Wellwood School
This year we are starting early collecting NEW winter coats, hats and gloves for Wellwood families. Please bring items to BHC and put them in the coat rack area down the hall past the collection boxes in the lobby.
OTHER ITEMS
Bottoms Up
Contribute diapers, feminine, and incontinence products to our Bottoms Up collection for Community Crisis Center, inc.. Leave donations outside of the Hoffberger Chapel entrance, or use their Amazon wishlist to have donations delivered directly (link)
Women of BHC
Drop off donations of diapers and wipes in the lobby of the EB Hirsh Early Childhood Center.
Seasonal collections are another great way to contribute. Look for JUFJ Purim Baskets in the spring, Adopt-a-Family program in December, and many other opportunities.
• Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC)
• Association of Reform Zionists of America (ARZA)
• National Council of Jewish Women NCJW
• Jewish refugee resettlement agency (HIAS)
• Welcome.us, supporting private resettlement
• CASA, immigration support in Baltimore and Maryland
• The Associated
• Baltimore Abortion Fund
• Jews United for Justice (JUFJ), focused on Baltimore and Maryland
• Adamah, Jewish connection to the Earth
• Bend the ARC, Jews and allies working to build an American future free from white supremacy, antisemitism, and racism
• Jews of Color Mishpacha Project: in Baltimore with Dr. Harriette Wimms
• Nechama, Jewish response to disasters
• MAZON, Jewish response to hunger
• Israel Religious Action Center (IRAC): Protecting equality, democracy, civil rights, Jewish identity & social action in Israel: irac.org
About BHC Justice
BHC has a long history of working to improve our community and the world around us. We engage with many issues, including immigrant rights, reproductive justice, racial equity, LBGTQIA+ equality, environmental justice, and other issues important to our congregation and our community. Our social action efforts include tikkun olam – repairing the world – through letters, emails and comment writing, protest actions, hosting speakers and teach-ins, and get-out-the-vote postcard campaigns. We also practice gemilut chasadim – acts of loving kindness - by aiding our local and global communities through donations and direct service activities collecting and donating food, clothing, school supplies, diapers and feminine products through the year. The information below highlights our current efforts in many of these areas.
BHC takes pride in our social justice work, which reflects our Jewish values and our Jewish imperative to repair the world and we hope that you will join us.
Let us know what social justice issues you are passionate about: [link]
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