Homelessness: A Jewish Call to Action – Tuesday, February 2, 7pm – 8:30pm

Thousands of unsheltered people live in Oakland. Many are crowded into unsafe and unsanitary encampments from which they may be evicted as a result of the City’s new policies. 70% of the unhoused are Black; 42% have disabilities. Kehilla’s Homeless Action group believes it’s time for a more vigorous response by our community in keeping with our core Jewish values.

How much do you know about homelessness in Oakland? Download our questionnaire and find out!

Forum panel – Talya Husbands-Hankin, Margot Kushel, Janny Castillo with Rabbi Dev Noily

Please click HERE for the recording of the February 2nd  educational forum and discussion about developing a vigorous Tikkun Olam response to homelessness. This educational forum detailed the severe obstacles facing our unsheltered neighbors resulting from years of racist and classist policies.  There are numerous ways to assist our unhoused neighbors, including donations of time, goods, or money. You can volunteer at different commitment levels, either in person or at home.

Forum panel – Talya Husbands-Hankin, Margot Kushel, Janny Castillo and Candice Elder

Download the event flier A Jewish Call to Action on Homelessness.

Speaker panel:

Talya Husbands-Hankin, Kehilla member and Homeless Advocate of   Love and Justice in the Streets

Candice Elder, Founder/Director, East Oakland Collective

Janny Castillo, Director, Community Outreach and Services, St. Mary’s Center

Margot Kushel, MD, Kehilla member and Director, UCSF Center for Vulnerable Populations

Registration HERE.

The Kehilla community has engaged in advocacy, activism, and direct service in support of the unhoused communities; in the era of COVID we are stepping up this effort.

You will learn how to:

• Work with Kehilla’s Homeless Action Committee
• Volunteer to collect, sort and distribute needed items to homeless encampments
• Assist when an unhoused person takes up residence at Kehilla
• Engage our neighbors on issues of homelessness

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

• Join the Homeless Action Committee
• Join the Rapid Response Email listserv for immediate calls to action such as emails/calls to City Councilmembers
• Volunteer to work with the Homeless Action Depot and/or make donations
• Donate to the East Oakland Collective
• Donate to Love and Justice in the Streets
• Donate to St. Mary’s Center
• Attend Homeless Advocacy Working Group meetings, every other Monday, 4 – 6 pm