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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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community

The Oracle Speaks: Jack & Jill in Erehwon Village

Jerry Halberstadt Sun, 08/19/2018 - 23:21
Lucy, the manager of Erehwon Village, a multifamily public housing facility for elderly and disabled, has received complaints about the couple, Jack and Jill, from Thomasina, Dick, and Hariette, the "Guardians," The "Guardians" are self-appointed overseers of life in the village and no one dares stand up to them. What should Lucy, the manager, do? The Oracle is silent on this problem, but the Oracle has received several responses.

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bullying
mobbing