"Anne Frank didn't die in a gas chamber. She died because she caught a contagious disease in a concentration camp. We have seen this before. We won't let it happen again. Never again is now." (Never Again Action)

ACTION ALERT FROM NEVER AGAIN: Call or email Governor Newsom's office today and say: “Hi, My name is [name], I'm a [state] resident living in [city]. The detention centers in our state are going to become death camps for the immigrants locked inside, unless Governor _______ uses his/her emergency powers to release them immediately. Will the governor empty the detention centers today?” Click here for Office of Governor Gavin Newsom's webpage with phone number and email form.

Never Again Action, a movement of Jews, allies and immigrant partners, reminds us, "Deadly outbreaks in detention centers; it’s a matter of if, not when. UNLESS our governors use their emergency powers to empty the detention centers in their state, before they become de facto death camps."

"We call on governors across the country to use their emergency executive power to order the release of all immigrant detainees in their states. Protect immigrants from this virus, for their safety and for public health. We hope that our governors will choose the path of morality AND public safety. If they don’t, we will pressure them until they do."

From the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity:

A coalition of over 60 legal service providers and community organizations in California sent a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the administrators of local ICE detention facilities demanding that they release all individuals held at the Mesa Verde Detention Facility and the Yuba County Jail, starting with those who are at highest risk.

As city and state governments take drastic measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, this letter adds to the chorus of community organizations across the country calling for the release of incarcerated people.

Use your faith voice and share your faith values when you call and email David Jennings, Acting Field Office Director, and demand that ICE release all people from detention, beginning with the most vulnerable.

Some people have experienced difficulty with phone calls, please do not feel discouraged. Send an email, if the phone is not accessible.

CALL David Jennings (Acting Field Office Director, ICE) Keep reading more suggested script.

David.W.Jennings@ice.dhs.gov
415-844-5503 or 415-844-5551

Click here to read MVPJ's article about NEVER AGAIN ACTION Campaign, similar to this one, pressuring governors to use their emergency executive power to order the release of immigrant detainees in their states. 

CANCELLED: Sadly, the Seder will be cancelled due to COVID-19 health concerns. We will be refunding any tickets already purchased through Eventbrite.

Multifaith Justice Seder
Monday, March 30, 6:30 pm - 9:00pm

Join us for a celebration of our shared values of justice and liberation, through the lens of the Jewish Passover Seder ritual. We will spend the evening telling stories of liberation both ancient and contemporary, tasting the richness of the Passover Seder ritual, and sharing song and, of course, food.

Emma's Revolution and Annie Patterson
Friday, February 7, 7:30pm
Trinity Church in Menlo Park
330 Ravenswood Ave., Menlo Park

Volunteers are needed. Contact Eric Sabelmann at eesabelman@gmail.com 

The dynamic award-winning duo Emma's Revolution (Pat Humphries and Sandy O) and Annie Patterson, co-creator of the popular songbooks Rise Up Singing and Rise Again, will perform together and lead songs for an uplifting musical evening honoring Pete Seeger and his legacy.

Combatants for Peace:
A LIVE PRESENTATION by Palestinian and Israeli combatants
Nobel Peace Prize Nominee 2017 & 2018
Monday, February 10, 7:30pm
First Congregational Church
1985 Louis Road, Palo Alto

Hear an amazing presentation by Israeli and Palestinian former combatants!

There is another way!

In 2006, Israeli and Palestinian former combatants, people who had taken an active role in the conflict, laid down their weapons and established Combatants for Peace. The egalitarian, bi-national, grassroots organization was founded on the belief that the cycle of violence can only be broken when Israelis and Palestinians join forces. Combatants for Peace is the only organization, worldwide, in which former fighters on both sides of an active conflict have laid down their weapons, choosing to work together for peace and justice.

Hear two members of this organization speak in person - an Israeli and a Palestinian - both former combatants now part of Combatants for Peace.

Click here to see and share the Facebook Event page.

Click here to learn more about American Friends for Combatants for Peace.

Multifaith Voices for Peace & Justice (MVPJ) stands firm in its commitment to work for peace. While we recignize and respect diversity among individuals and traditions, MVPJ insists that "War is not the answer," but will lead to more violence and countless harm and death, particularly in this current situation between the United States and Iran. MVPJ is not advocating all the views or stands of any of these organizations, but in the list below we want to show how people from so many and various backgrounds and walks of life are speaking out against war with Iran, and offer their perspectives for your prayerful consideration. WE URGE YOU TODAY to call or write to your Congressmembers, either directly or through one of these online options!

Check this webpage occasionally for updates. Below is an initial collection of action suggestions and responses from different religious and civic groups. Feel free to email us if you have ideas we might add, particularly from your own faith tradition. Please note that you do not need to be a member of any of these traditions or organizations to use their site to send messages.

Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL): MVPJ has long partnered with and learned from this Quaker-based peace lobbying group. Here is a link to easily find and write a letter to your Congress members through FCLN, and this link has a short script for you to CALL your Congressperson, always 

CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations) is a Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. On this webpage they call on Americans to urge Congress to block funding for war with Iran, give background on the legislations re-introduced to Congress last Friday, Jan. 3, and an opportunity to send an email to officials.

J Street, a Jewish organization in the United States, released this article with very helpful information on why they believe Congress must act to prevent war with Iran.

The United Church of Christ (a major Protestant denomination) has long advocated for diplomatic and peaceful engagement with Iran. Use this link for useful background information and as well as to send an email to your Congress members.

Pax Christi USA is a Catholic peace and justice organization that has a full, updated webpage with excellent links to prayers, faith statements, study material (including from the National Council of Churches) and action recommendations.

American Friends Service Committee, another Quaker organization, offers background with "5 things to know about Iran" and emailing options on this second page.

University AME Zion, the oldest African-American church between San Mateo and San Jose, and a treasured and valued part of our community, found angry graffitti on their property Saturday morning, December 28. (Click here to read the Palo Alto Online article.)

Our response, as a community, is to stand with them in solidartiy, to support them however we can, and most importantly, to celebrate who they are and the many gifts they bring to us all.

Here are two opportunities to do just that:

Join University AME Zion this Sunday, January 5th, for Solidarity Sunday, from 9:30-11am. The church is located at 3549 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto. All are welcome! (If your own worshipping community time conflicts, feel free to come for at least part of this time to show your support and solidarity.)

Contribute: If you cannot attend this Sunday but would like to donate to help the church repair and install more security and better lighting, click on this link to make your donation.

In the face of these attacks, the church insists: "We will not hide or shrink back in fear, but we will open our doors to invite our community to stand in solidarity with us." 

Saturday, December 14
4pm-5:30pm
Lytton Plaza, 250 Hamilton
Palo Alto

On this seventh anniversary of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, gather with us to give voice to the over 700,000 victims and survivors of gun violence since December 2012.

The program will include testimony from a Menlo-Atherton High School student (Students Demand Action), two survivors of gun violence, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo, State Assemblymember Marc Berman, and Dr. Susie MacLean from SAFE (Scrubs Addressing the Firearm Epidemic). The vigil will conclude with a ceremony of Remembrance and Bell Ringing for those impacted by gun violence.

Sponsored by Moms Demand Action, Multifaith Voices for Peace & Justice, and other faith and community organizations.

Shine a light to #EndGunViolence

Download a PDF Flyer and post this jpg flyer to help spread the word!