jspot.org: home of the Jewish netroots - Recent Comments

Thanks!

Mae Singerman — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 18:01:02 GMT

Thanks for posting this. I saw this article too and am going to use it as a reading on our service learnig trips! Very important info for people to have who are just going to NOLA for the first time.

proud to be a fan of Ms. Dorothy

Jeremy Burton — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:34:42 GMT

Thanks Mae!

And we should note that Ms. Dorothy is a member of the 1st cohort of the Gulf Coast Fellowship for Community Transformation, a collaboration between Jewish Funds for Justice, the 21st Century Foundation, and the Gulf Coast Fund.

Thanks!

Suzanne Reisman — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:28:07 GMT

That's very kind, Erica. And thanks, Mae, for the super nice post.

Time to kvell!

Erica Brody — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:33:08 GMT

You deserve it, Suzanne!

Weird

Rachel Feldman — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:45:39 GMT

That's odd. Do you know whether this is a common life-style choice in other states or is it something about PA? Are these communities similar to gated communities in Florida?

employer accountability

alexrw — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:38:43 GMT

Yes, definitely. Thanks for the clarification.

The question of how to hold Jewish employers and ALL employers of domestic workers accountable to these new standards is one I think many of us have and have been grappling with for years before the bill even passed. JFREJ will be working hard with DWU, synagogues, and other Jewish orgs to make sure this happens, especially since the bill does not include all the provisions employers or workers originally wanted. Jewish values reflect that we need a higher standard than even the legislation if we are to have a truly ethical community.

As the child of employers of a domestic worker, I know how much gratitude many employers feel for the work that their employees do. I hope we can translate that gratitude into ethical employment practices.

This will, of course, be a challenge.

Thanks again for your support on this issue.

oops

Mae Singerman — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:14:28 GMT

thanks for your really thoughtful reply! i'm in full agreement with you and i actually meant to write "prosecuted" not "persecuted"! my curiousity being around how many jewish families won't follow these laws and thinking about how jews, like the awesome members of JFREJ, who are working to hold other jews accountable not only to the law, but to Jewish values. i hope that makes more sense...

eh, sorry.

question of persecution

alexrw — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 13:29:30 GMT

Mae--thanks for covering this historic win for domestic workers who have been fighting for their rights in NYC for the past 10 years, with organizing support of organizations like Jews for Racial and Economic Justice (www.jfrej.org) as well as the financial support of JFSJ. It's a victory for all of us.

I'm a little concerned with your framing of the employer side of things. Part of JFREJ's work has been to organize the Jewish community, and employers in particular in support of this bill. Employers want, and need this bill as it provides ethical standards in an otherwise unreglated industry. There is a lot of shame and guilt that surrounds employers' lives as many (not all) try to do the right thing, but withought standards, not everyone thinks to provide the basic labor rights afforded other workers.

As far as employers being "persecuted" by this law, I think it might be more helpful to think about the persecution of the domestic workers. The physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, financial exploitation--the list is long in the realm of domestic workers' persecution. But employers? Impossible. In an employee/employer relationship, it is the employers who have the power. Not the employee. This bill is hoping to shift that, if only marginallly, but certainly not to the point where employers will be "persecuted" any time soon. Prosecuted? Maybe. But persecuted? Never.

For a glimpse at how domestic workers are persectued and employers may be *appropriately* prosecuted, check out this article in NY Magazine.

http://nymag.com/news/features/66471/

Thanks again for covering this historic win for immigrants, women, people of color, the working class, and the Jewish community.

Those Adamses!

Suzanne Reisman — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:11:19 GMT

It is also fitting that John wrote this to Abigail and yet did not consider her request to think about the ladies. Why on earth would she solemnize that day when it doesn't include her? I'm only sorry that she and the other women did not revolt as promised.

Glad to know that!

Suzanne Reisman — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:09:18 GMT

It only makes the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 more interesting, as we can see that it took another two centuries or so to make good on the pledge given that day. It all ties up so neatly!

People in the know

Daniel Millstone — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:15:29 GMT

say that Governor Paterson will sign the Domestic Workers' Bill of Rights but -- unlike in years past -- there's been no statement that I've seen from the Governor's office. Have you seen anything?

The Founders Agree

Ben Gurin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:54:01 GMT

Historical note: John Adams also thought that July 2nd would be a more fitting Independence day, as that was the day that the Continental Congress voted to seperate from Great Britain. The DoI was adopted 2 days later, and as previously noted, is finally being realized in our own time.

"The Second Day of July 1776 will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. . . . It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."

--John Adams to Abigail Adams, July 3, 1776

Creative!

Julie Friedlander — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:36:09 GMT

Very clever way to make some noise. Thanks for sharing!

re: Jews in solidarity with Domestic Workers!

BrennanX — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 05:52:23 GMT

Good thing that the Domestic Workers United (DWU) is continuing to protect our domestic helpers. I believe that our domestic helpers are the new heroes of our country. They've been taking jobs in other country just to support the needs of their family amidst of being a servant in other country. Hopefully, they could be granted with Domestic Workers Bill of Rights, which ensures that domestic workers receive sick days, overtime, pay, and other protections that most workers receive under the law. Let's support this bill and be proud to our DH!