Speaker Series
Congregation Emanu El Endowment Fund announces the 2010-2011 series
Social Justice: Acts of Faith
which offers an incredible opportunity to confront some of the most pressing issues of the twenty-first century.
The following experts will offer us a rich experience as we gain insights through practical and though-provoking programs on social issues.
Rabbi Jill Jacobs
Thursday, Oct. 14, 2010
Pursuing Social Justice
Through Jewish Law & Tradition
Rabbi Jacobs is the rabbi-in-residence at Jewish Funds for Justice, a national public foundation dedicated to mobilizing the resources of American Jews to combat the root causes of domestic social and economic injustice. She holds an MS in Urban Affairs from Hunter College and received rabbinic ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 2003. She was named to Forward’s list of 50 influential Jews. She is the author of an influential teshuvah (legal position passed by the Rabbinical Assembly Committee on Jewish Law) on paying workers living wages, creating dignified workplaces and hiring union workers when possible.
Liz Murray
Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010
Housing: A Basic Human Right
Liz Murray is the daughter of impoverished, heroin-addicted, HIV- i n f e c t e d parents. She was homeless at 15 because her mother died of AIDS and her father moved to a homeless shelter. Liz started school in 8th grade and often only went there to pick up train passes and a hot meal. She ate out of dumpsters and slept in subways. Even though she had dismal grades, she was accepted into Humanities Prep School where she met teachers who cared for her. She managed to change her life, graduate high school in 2 years, and received a scholarship to Harvard University. She is the founder and director of Manifest Trainings, a company that empowers adults to create the extraordinary in their lives.
Mark Pelavin
Thursday, Jan. 24, 2011
Environment: Preserving Our Earth for the Next Generation
Mark J. Pelavin, Associate Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC), is one of the Jewish community’s leading legislative strategists. He is an attorney and Associate
Director of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism. The Commission is the social justice policy-making body of the Reform Movement, relating ethical and spiritual principles of Judaism to the problems of today’s world. Mark has played a role in the entire agenda of the Religious Action Center and is an expert in confronting the religious right. He is frequently quoted in the media and is a frequent guest on radio and television programs.
Charles Foster
Thursday, Feb. 24, 2011
Immigration: We Were Strangers In The Land of Egypt
Charles C. Foster, Co-Chair of Foster Quan, LLP which is one of the largest global immigration law firms, is honorary Consul General of the Kingdom of Thailand. He is Chairman of Americans for Immigration Reform, a 501(c)(3) affiliate of the Greater Houston Partnership and the GHP’s Immigration Task Force. He is a Director of and serves on the Executive Committee of the Greater Houston Partnership and is past Chairman of its Economic Development and World Trade Divisions. He was honored for his work by both the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee. Foster is also the #1 Ranked Immigration Lawyer in Texas by Chambers USA.
All Programs begin at 7:30 p.m. and are open to the Community at no charge.
Please bring non-perishable food to help feed the hungry in our community
