A Voice for Justice, Equality and Compassion in New Jersey
The Ridgewood affiliate of the UU FaithAction NJ advocates for social and economic legislation that embodies our Unitarian Universalist values. We research issues, formulate positions, and speak with one voice. Through our task forces, we work for economic justice, reproductive justice, environmental protections, just immigration policies, criminal justice reforms and environmental justice.
As part of the UU FaithAction NJ, an affiliation of 21 New Jersey UU congregations, we have advocated for many social justice issues including clean water, better housing, a higher minimum wage, and immigrant rights. USR’s liaisons to UU FaithAction NJ are Ira Mendelsberg & Anita Young.
How to Connect with UU FaithAction NJ:
Website: www.uufaithaction.org/
Community Calendar
Join the UU FaithAction NJ Email List
Sign up for Text Alerts
Task Forces and Issues
Our congregants work on task forces, attend meetings, an annual Issues Conference and an annual Plenary meeting. Task forces develop policy positions and organize advocacy. A task force usually conducts monthly conference calls. Please join one of the statewide task forces to develop positions on policy issues and organize advocacy activities. Here are the task forces and a small sampling of past and current work:
Criminal Justice Reform/Mass Incarceration
Chair: Susan MacDonnell (Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton)
Addressing long standing racial and economic bias in the NJ justice system through bail and parole reform, Special Prosecutors in cases of possible racial bias, radical reduction in use of solitary confinement in NJ prisons, racial bias impact statements.
Immigration Reform
Chair: Ted Fetter (Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton)
Standing up for undocumented immigrants unfairly targeted for deportation; drivers’ licenses for undocumented people; sensible immigration reform.
Economic Justice
Chair: Jerry Fried (The UU Congregation at Montclair)
Supporting pay equity for women, fair sick leave legislation, and fair housing efforts based on the historic (and unrealized) Mt. Laurel NJ Supreme Court decision.
Environmental Justice
Chair: Nancy Griffeth (Beacon: Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Summit)
Supporting legislation requiring greater use of renewable, earth-friendly energy sources (RETA) and reducing lead in NJ water supplies.
Reproductive Justice
Chair: Carol Loscalzo (Unitarian Society of Ridgewood)
Leading signature legislation effort around protecting clinic workers and volunteers, supporting the full range of reproductive health services including abortion access, and championing intersectionality of reproductive issues with race, class and environmental realities.
Gun Violence Prevention
Chair: Kathy Allen Roth (Beacon UU Congregation in Summit)
Resisting the weakening of NJ gun legislation (e.g., the possible expansion of Concealed Carry); supporting “Smart” gun technology, community education efforts.
