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| Rabbi asked to lead peace delegation By Natana Deutsch DS Editor An international interfaith organization committed to promoting peace worldwide has tapped Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb to lead its upcoming gathering in Israel and Palestine. The nonprofit Fellowship of Reconciliation, which is composed of 14 different peace fellowships throughout the world, is sponsoring Gottlieb’s trip from Jan. 25 to Feb. 8. The purpose of the trip is to study the impacts of militarism on both societies and to strategize with people committed to non-violence and peacemaking, Gottlieb said. They will meet with health officials, human rights workers, artists and nongovernment organizations and will also visit the be-reaved on both sides. “This is a journey of dialogue and discourse,” Gottlieb said, “(Our goal is) to be a witness to the suffering and that suffering is so widespread on both sides.” The Fellowship of Re-conciliation seeks to replace violence, war, racism and economic injustice with nonviolence, peace and justice, and does so through education, training and building coalitions, Gottlieb said. It will be the fourth time she has led such a delegation. Gottlieb will be joined by Abdul Rauf Campos- Mayquetti, who is involved with the local mosque. The two have done many peace events together locally, however, this will be Mayquetti’s first trip to Israel and Palestine. “It’s such a tragedy to have to journey to such a place of great spiritual meaning to both of us and to be a witness to the great tragedy that people live with over there,” Gottlieb said. “It’s just heartbreaking.” Another goal will be looking at the impact of the occupation on the collective trauma of children on both sides, Gottlieb said, noting a recent Newsweek article that discussed the incidence of violence in Israeli classrooms, which is currently ranked the 8th highest in the world. UI reform needed to curb recessionary blues The Human Needs Coordinating Council as part of Unemployment Insurance Reform Campaign is reaching out to the faith community in an effort to inform the public about needed changes to New Mexico’s unemployment insurance system. As people of faith, we recognize the need to advocate on behalf of the poor and less advantaged. Unfortunately, our current unemployment system has a differential impact on women, low-wage workers, and people of color. By Kristen Sharpp If you think the unemployment system is working, ask someone who isn’t. Imagine unexpectedly losing your job through no fault of your own during this economic recession. What would you do? Where would you turn? Fortunately, New Mexico’s Unemployment Insurance System (UI) was designed to serve as a safety net for this exact circumstance. Unfortunately, the eligibility criteria in New Mexico is so strict that seven out of 10 unemployed New Mexicans do not receive unemployment benefits and are forced to make ends meet without any financial assistance. What can you do to ensure that you are protected if an unforeseen layoff or downsizing affects you and your family? The UI Reform Coalition of New Mexico is currently working on an Unemployment Insurance Reform Campaign, advocating for state policy to expand eligibility and increase benefit levels for all unemployed workers. Currently, New Mexico has the most solvent trust fund in the nation, with more than $600 million. However, strict eligibility requirements prevent the UI trust fund from doing its job, compromising the core function of the program! In addition, data indicates that the current eligibility criteria has a differential impact on low-income workers, women workers and workers of color. Join us! For information, or if you would like to get involved in spreading the word about the Unemployment Insurance Reform Campaign and advocate in the 2003 Legislative Session, contact the Human Needs Coordinating Council at (505) 265-5005; by e-mail at hncc@abq.com; or through our web site at www.hncc.org. | ||||||||
