Statement on NC Legislature's Veto Overrides

On July 29, the North Carolina General Assembly overrode multiple vetoes from Governor Josh Stein—passing laws that force local sheriffs to detain immigrants for ICE, restrict transgender people's access to basic identity documents, allow concealed weapons in private schools, repeal environmental protections for Duke Energy, and expand government powers to interfere with public agencies. These overrides happened due to the actions of Republican legislators as well as Democratic lawmakers who chose to side with Republicans.

Charting a new vision forward.

“May God bless you and keep you.
May God shine light upon you and be gracious to you.
May God lift up God’s face to you and give you peace.”
—Numbers 6:24–26

This ancient blessing appears in this week’s Torah portion, Naso, and it feels like exactly what we need right now.

There is a lot of fear in the Jewish community. The recent shooting in DC. The targeted attacks in Boulder. The threats that seem to grow louder each week. Many of us are holding a quiet, constant anxiety—not always visible, but always present.

And yet, we return to these words.

New starts, big wins, community actions. Here’s what’s happening at CJJ.  

Read CJJ's statement following the murder of Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, two Israel Embassy staffers, in Washington, DC. 

We have some very exciting news to share! Click below to watch a short video message from Abby Lublin and Rabbi Sandra Lawson. 

Read the joint announcement from Carolina Jews for Justice and Reconstructing Judaism inside for more details.  

All that you touch You Change. All that you Change Changes you. The only lasting truth is Change. God is Change.

– Octavia Butler

Former CJJ Organizer Cole Parke-West painted these words in their house; a great reminder when we’d meet when I was a volunteer helping plan and launch the Antisemitism Listening Project, or debriefing from that week’s Fed Up hustle. 

For me, this month will mark significant change, as I transition out of my role as Executive Director of Carolina Jews for Justice. (Exciting announcement coming soon to your inbox; and yes, I’m teasing that news here!) 

If you feel like there’s a lot happening (and going wrong), you’re certainly not alone. Our national politics has a way of bringing folks down these days. But politics is, first and foremost, local. When we’re reminded of that, don’t we feel a sudden surge of empowerment?

It isn’t about the White House, it’s about your and your neighbor’s house. National politics is intimidating. Local politics is… accessible.

Sometimes, it’s takes a little jolt for us to remember this simple truism, to shift focus and change our perspective. A few weeks ago, Jay Carey, a retired combat veteran and Western North Carolina resident, gave us that jolt.

Executive Director, Abby Lublin, and Communications Director, Mark Bochkis, talked about the work and mission of Carolina Jews for Justice with the Tides Foundation. Check out an excerpt from the Tides blog.