RAC-MA Campaign Research Criteria Rankings

RAC-MA has 3 powerful campaign options: Clean Air for Environmental Justice, Dignity not Deportations, and Early Childhood Education. Rather than pitting these campaigns against each other, we will use our RAC-MA Campaign Criteria to weigh the merit for each campaign.

Use this form to rank the campaigns according to each criteria from 1-5 (1 is not aligned with criteria, 5 is very aligned with criteria). Feel free to use the fact sheets and the information from the Town Halls to help you make your decision!

Each congregation will be weighed as one vote. That means that if multiple people from the same congregation fill out this form, your rankings will be averaged together. We encourage your congregation team to discuss as a group and submit one vote that reflects everyone.

Rankings are due on Tuesday, 5/27 at 11:59pm!

Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.

Contact Information

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Last Name

Email

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URJ Congregation Name

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Congregation ID

Clean Air for Environmental Justice (Mass Power Forward)

AN ACT TO IMPROVE OUTDOOR AND INDOOR AIR QUALITY FOR COMMUNITIES BURDENED BY POLLUTION (HD.2474, SD.1180)

This bill will:

Expand outdoor air monitoring ultrafine particulate matter and black carbon in pollution hotspots identified by an advisory committee.
Set and achieve ambitious air pollution reduction targets by 2030 and 2035.
Require installation of air filters in existing eligible buildings, such as schools, residential buildings with more than 2 tenant-occupied units, certain commercial buildings, and correctional facilities within 200 meters of
congested roadways.
Require advanced filtration systems (e.g., MERV 16) for new eligible buildings, such as day care facilities, residential developments, hospitals, schools, long-term care facilities, school aged child care programs, temporary shelters, nursing homes.
Update the state sanitary code to require annual mold inspections and create clear timelines for remediating mold in rental housing.
Update building codes to prevent the installation of gas stoves in new construction and major rehabilitation projects.

1. There are clear Reform Jewish values at stake that matter to our congregants and are consistent with national RAC statements & URJ resolutions.

2. There is a compelling narrative that connects our values to the issue and excites our congregations.

3. The partner groups are strong, with a grassroots component, and have a well-developed strategy for positive short-term and long-term impact.

4. The campaign builds power and has a significant impact on a social justice issue, which could mean passing new or defending existing legislation, policies, or budget allocations in MA.

5. There are a variety of tactics which will energize and engage our congregations.

6. RAC-MA participation will have a clear and distinguishable impact on the success of the campaign, while centering those most impacted.

7. Working on this campaign will provide opportunities for members of congregations to humbly and respectfully build relationships with those working on this issue from a place of lived experience with marginalized, front-line communities, including our own congregants.

Dignity not Deportations (ACLU of MA)

An Act relative to immigration detention and collaboration agreements (H.1588 & S.1122)

This bill will:

Prohibit Massachusetts entities, including sheriffs, from voluntarily renting beds to ICE.
Prohibit Massachusetts entities from donating time and volunteering state resources to ICE by signing contracts – such as 287(g) agreements – that deputize local officials as ICE agents.

1. There are clear Reform Jewish values at stake that matter to our congregants and are consistent with national RAC statements & URJ resolutions.

2. There is a compelling narrative that connects our values to the issue and excites our congregations.

3. The partner groups are strong, with a grassroots component, and have a well-developed strategy for positive short-term and long-term impact.

4. The campaign builds power and has a significant impact on a social justice issue, which could mean passing new or defending existing legislation, policies, or budget allocations in MA.

5. There are a variety of tactics which will energize and engage our congregations.

6. RAC-MA participation will have a clear and distinguishable impact on the success of the campaign, while centering those most impacted.

7. Working on this campaign will provide opportunities for members of congregations to humbly and respectfully build relationships with those working on this issue from a place of lived experience with marginalized, front-line communities, including our own congregants.

Early childhood education (Neighborhood Villages)

This campaign advocates for fully funding the early education sector.

While public investment in early education has recently increased, it remains inadequate to meet the quality needs of children, the affordability concerns of parents, and the operational costs of early childhood education providers. This is evidenced by – among other indicators – the paradoxical coexistence of high fees paid by parents with low wages paid to educators and an exceptionally fragile financial position of providers. Unfortunately, families cannot afford to cover the true cost of high-quality care for their children. Rather, a substantial commitment of additional public funds is required to bridge the gap.

1. There are clear Reform Jewish values at stake that matter to our congregants and are consistent with national RAC statements & URJ resolutions.

2. There is a compelling narrative that connects our values to the issue and excites our congregations.

3. The partner groups are strong, with a grassroots component, and have a well-developed strategy for positive short-term and long-term impact.

4. The campaign builds power and has a significant impact on a social justice issue, which could mean passing new or defending existing legislation, policies, or budget allocations in MA.

5. There are a variety of tactics which will energize and engage our congregations.

6. RAC-MA participation will have a clear and distinguishable impact on the success of the campaign, while centering those most impacted.

7. Working on this campaign will provide opportunities for members of congregations to humbly and respectfully build relationships with those working on this issue from a place of lived experience with marginalized, front-line communities, including our own congregants.

If you have any comments or thoughts, feel free to share them here.

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