Creating a Vision to Move Philadelphia Forward in the Face of 2020’s Challenges

GJC’s annual Yom Kippur Oscar Bregman Memorial Program with Philadelphia Councilmember-at-Large, Kendra Brooks

COVID-19 and the recent Black Lives Matter uprisings have exposed more sharply the racial and income based disparities in our country and in Philadelphia. For a city that was already facing the challenges that come with being the “poorest big city in the country”, these challenges have exacerbated problems many poor Philadelphians face. But – is it possible that by shining a light on these issues, these events may actually provide a catalyst for change? We’ve invited Councilmember-at-Large, Kendra Brooks, to join us for a conversation about  the issues confronting our city’s residents and her views on how we can meet the challenges they present.  Councilmember Brooks comes to Council with exceptional knowledge of what is happening in Philadelphia’s neighborhood based on many years working in community organizing.  She will share what concerns her most when she looks around neighborhoods across the city in the midst of the pandemic and offer innovative ideas for how we can reinvent our approach to poverty-related issues such as the housing crisis, gun violence, and schools.

Kendra Brooks became the first Working Families Party member elected to Philadelphia City Council in January of this year. Kendra has deep roots working across movement-building organizations throughout Philadelphia, where her focus has been on the implementation of restorative justice practices in schools and communities, fighting school privatization efforts and gun violence in Nicetown, and organizing with 215 People’s Alliance on their Steering Committee. As a Councilmember, Kendra is focused on addressing the affordable housing crisis, advocating for well-funded public education, protecting workers’ rights, and championing a Philadelphia Green New Deal.

• Remote access:  Germantown Jewish Centre will provide multiple ways to attend High Holiday services and programs remotely.
  • Zoom:  Zoom links for all services and programs will be sent out to all members and those who have purchased guest tickets in advance via email.
  • Video stream:  The Charry Sanctuary service and Oscar Bregman Memorial Program will be broadcast on our StreamSpot video stream, available on the homepage or at this link. While it is not interactive, this broadcast will provide a higher video and audio quality than is available over Zoom without the security problems that come with an interactive system.
  • Audio stream:  As they have been for many years, all services will be broadcast on our Mixlr audio stream, available on the homepage or at this link.

Sponsored by an endowment established in memory of Oscar Bregman.