Accessible Activism For Seniors; Political Advocacy And Tikkun Olam

The Importance of Seniors Finding Paths to Accessible Activism: Lecture and Discussion

Tikkun Olam has steered many onto a path of social activism and repairing injustices in the world, leading to political advocacy.  Age should not limit our ability to actively participate in those social causes we each care about. As seniors, we have seen the vital importance of using our voices. We have always played a key role in the country’s political process and climate. Our involvement and engagement in politics is and has been an honored tradition for so many reasons.

Firstly, we seniors are the keepers of history; the storytellers; the parents, grandparents and neighbors that have gathered life experiences and now share their wisdom with others. We’ve seen politics unfold through numerous crises and elections. Given that wealth of experience, we can approach engaging in politics with a thoughtfulness that those without the same wealth of knowledge simply can’t.

Our voices are powerful, too — seniors are, as a group, most likely to vote. The 2024 election saw 75% voter turnout overall from the population of Americans 65+ years of age, compared to 50% voter turnout overall in Americans 18-29.  And it has been the trend – even with a record youth voter turnout back in 2020, seniors’ standout voter turnout numbers made up 25% of all total votes cast in that 2020 presidential election.

Seniors continue to show up at the polls far more than any other age group. Not only that, but the number of people that fall into the senior age group continues to rise each year. Our willingness to show up — has the power to sway elections and make change.

Civic engagement, seen as accessible activism, goes beyond just voting to cover a range of opportunities to have positive influence, it includes being involved in political campaigns, participating in community work, staying informed on news and public affairs and even helping one’s neighbor.   And yes, volunteerism is emphasized for all these methods of participation.  

Boulder Chai Life has organized a talk on this important topic on Wednesday July 29^th from 10 AM to Noon at the Boulder JCC with our featured speaker, Margie Freedman, a member of our extended Boulder Jewish community.  Margie is active with several social causes and volunteer advocacy organizations including Indivisible, a nationwide movement working to push back against the rise of authoritarianism in the US and to build a real democracy that works for all of us.

The presentation will address the importance of meeting and discussing key political issues before the upcoming November mid-terms and provide specifics on the very many ways seniors can conveniently participate.  Drawing mostly on the models crafted by the Indivisible organization, some of the actions to be covered include:

• Finding the issues you care about and want to advocate for
• Finding groups (or starting groups) that want to actively engage on your important issues
• Making your voice heard in many ways:
  • In person
  • Letters, postcards and emails to other voters and office holders
  • Letters to the newspaper editors
  • On social media
• Fund raising for your causes
• Demonstrating (peacefully and safely) in support of your causes
• Finding ways to help get voters registered and motivated to vote

From 10:00 to 10:30 am we’ll gather, mingle and catch up with friends, old and new.  Margie Freedman’s talk will start upstairs in the boardroom at 10:30 am and will be followed by Q&A with audience discussion.   

Participants are encouraged to purchase coffee and snacks from ‘Café at the J’ before the event.

Questions can be sent to:    BoulderChaiLife@gmail.com

RSVPs appreciated but not required!

Please join us on Wednesday, July 29^th, 10 am – Noon in person at the Boulder JCC, 6007 Oreg Ave, Boulder, CO 80303

All are welcome.

*This event is organized by the Boulder Chai Life Group which serves Jewish single senior adults (60+) in Boulder County and the surrounding neighborhoods with Jewish cultural programs and opportunities to meet and socialize with others. It is a community collaboration that has been supported by Congregation Har HaShem, Congregation Bonai Shalom, Congregation Nevei Kodesh, the Boulder Jewish Community Center, and Boulder Jewish Family Services.

Best regards from Boulder Chai Life!!