Jews have two great story motifs: that of an immigrant, “My father was an Aramean,” and that of a slave, “We were slaves in Egypt.” Each Passover we try to relive those experiences as if they were “ours.” In the US we still live with racial injustice born of slavery, still requires our “repair of the world.”
People of color make up about 30 percent of the US population but account for 60 percent of those imprisoned. Because of this inequity, the TBE Racial Justice Initiative (RJI) took on reform of the Massachusetts criminal justice system. We partnered with Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO) to begin organizing a remedy in the fall of 2017. This spring, a bill was signed into law.

What does the bill do?
It repeals five especially egregious mandatory minimums on drug charges. Mandatory minimums have led to longer incarcerations for people arrested for minor violations and have been disproportionately given to people of color.
It reduces punitive fines and fees so ex-prisoners are less burdened as they return to society.
Solitary confinement is made more humane by greater oversight.  And there are stricter time limits.
A bail reform package is included so people aren’t jailed because they are poor.

How did we help?
Under the leadership of GBIO, the TBE team showed up at the State House to witness hearings, called our legislators, asked YOU to call your legislators, wrote postcards, and called the Governor’s office.  In short, we participated actively in the democratic process.

The bill isn’t perfect but it is a huge step forward. We learned a lot about the criminal justice system, we learned a lot about advocacy and we had some fun!

Next year, the RJI will continue its efforts on criminal justice reform as well as our focus on housing inequities, resulting from discriminatory federal, state and local policies. Join us as we carry on the work of repairing the world.