Two Americas

Jerry Halberstadt Wed, 01/16/2019 - 15:27
Today, the selfish, other America is bullying everyone. The shutdown of the government is hurting the country, eliminating essential services, putting hard working and dedicated federal workers into financial distress. We who live in public and subsidized housing are also facing threats to our homes and our food.

Tags

housing
bullying

To Our Legislators on Beacon Hill

Jerry Halberstadt Sun, 01/13/2019 - 17:20
Our Attorney General has proclaimed that "All Tenants Have a Right to Be Free From Harassment and Intimidation." We of the Stop Bullying Coalition, on behalf of the more than 92,000 tenants of multifamily public and subsidized housing for elderly and people with disability, seek to assure that freedom. And to that end, we ask you to join your colleagues, Senator Joan B. Lovely and Representative Bradford Hill, and to sponsor our bill prior to filing.

Tags

legislation
bullying

For Peaceful Community, We Can Prevent Bullying

Jerry Halberstadt Mon, 01/07/2019 - 23:21
Massachusetts State House on Beacon Hill
Do you want to stop bullying in public and subsidized housing? The Stop Bullying Coalition has submitted a petition to create an agency to take complaints, investigate, protect victims of bullying; and where needed, propose legal action to hold the landlord to account. You can help! Your elected legislators on Beacon Hill are waiting to hear from you. (see below for how to contact them). Ask them to sponsor the bill.

Tags

legislation

From darkness to light, from mourning to hope, and from fear to strength

Jerry Halberstadt Tue, 11/06/2018 - 22:41
Blue sky, bright and dark clouds behind bare tree

The Sabbath of Friday, November 1 began in darkness at Temple Ner Tamid in Peabody when about 250 people, including the congregation and the invited clergy including members of the Peabody Clergy Ministerial Association (PCMA) and both city and state officials were joined by members of the Peabody community in a demonstration of solidarity in the face of tragedy---the murder of eleven at the Tree of Life.

Tags

community

Let's Join Together for Inclusion & Mutual Respect

Jerry Halberstadt Tue, 10/30/2018 - 01:59
Sun lights cloud against dark sky

Dear Friends,

I write in the midst of turmoil, fear, hate, and violence engulfing all of us, while we seek to find a path to travel together towards a world that respects each of us, regardless of who we are. The time is dark, we must create the light. Here are some of the challenges, including events that shatter the peace of a community and bring sudden death to the innocent. These are just some of the reasons we need to act now.

Tags

community

Bending the Arc

Jerry Halberstadt Fri, 10/26/2018 - 13:43
Bending the Arc participants gather on grand staircase at State House

Bending the Arc: Advancing Human Rights in the Commonwealth

The Massachusetts Human Rights Coalition (MAHRC) held their first annual meeting at the State House on Friday, October 12, "Bending the Arc: Advancing Human Rights in the Commonwealth."

Photo: Bending the Arc participants gather on grand staircase at State House

The lesson of the day can be stated simply,

No one is free unless we are all free.

Tags

community