Boulder Jewish News Arts, Culture, Events, Lifestyles, Holidays, Synagogues, Education
The upcoming 2020 US Census is seen by many as a moral and social justice imperative. Billions of dollars in federal spending and representation in the House of Representatives in the US Congress is based on the count in the census this spring and summer. Every census year there is work done to educate and motivate individuals to fill out the census. Given the publicity about the census last year, there is real concern that the census might contain questions about citizenship or be used in some way to identify undocumented persons.
Hundreds of thousands of businesses, organizations, and individuals nationwide are voluntarily supporting a complete and accurate count in the 2020 Census. Boulder County Complete Count Committee is a group of nonprofit organizations committed to reaching out to their members, employees, volunteers, customers, and stakeholders to let them know that completing the 2020 Census is easy, safe, and important. The faith community is one source for reaching out to vulnerable populations that may be dissuaded from completing the census.
The Tikkun Olam Committee at Congregation Har HaShem has joined Census 2020 to help count populations that were undercounted. They have the goal to train at least thirty volunteers to help churches and other non-profits assist their members to complete the census. They have two training events coming up in February to prepare: Sunday February 16 and Wednesday February 19.
Another initiative from 2020 US Census is Worship Weekend. Scheduled for March 27, the goal is to activate the faith community across the country to focus on the importance of a complete count. In preparation for Worship Weekend, the Boulder JCC will be convening a panel of Boulder County faith leaders for a discussion about the census, followed by a workshop about how individuals and faith communities can activate and advocate for a complete count. Whether you are connected to a faith community or not you are invited to attend. Some of the techniques discussed will help activate your neighbors, colleagues, or bowling league.
Panelists:
- Msgr. Robert Amundsen, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
- Rabbi Fred Greene, Congregation Har HaShem
- Mary Kate Rejouis, St. Aidan Episcopal Church
- Pedro Silva, First Congregational Church
- Ajaz Siraj, Islamic Center of Boulder
- Rev. Jacqueline Vanderpol, St. Andrew Presbyterian Church
Thursday, February 27
6:30 – 7:30 pm: Panel moderated by Dr. Deborah Whitehead, Associate professor of religious studies at the University of Colorado
7:30 – 7:45 pm: Break
7:45 – 8:45 pm: Workshop on Planning for Worship Weekend set for March 27-29
This program is at the Boulder JCC and is free but advance registration is recommended or call 303-998-1900 to register over the phone.
