Resolution on Providing Aid and Support to People at Risk of Deportation from the United States

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Update on Mount Zion and Immigration Justice
A letter e-mailed to the congregation on November 20.

Dear Mount Zion Member,

I am writing to update you about Mount Zion’s potential support for immigration justice. After our congregational letter of October 19, we received 36 emails and telephone calls from congregants who took the time to share their position regarding the resolution. In addition, Board members engaged in numerous informal conversations with Mount Zion congregants. The Board heard all of the input and after a thoughtful discussion on Tuesday, November 14, voted unanimously to support the Resolution to Support Immigrants at Risk of Deportation. The result of the vote means that Mount Zion’s congregation is now a Union of Reform Judaism Immigrant Justice Congregation. In addition, Mount Zion is now a sanctuary-supporting congregation through ISAIAH — the local faith-based community organization leading the efforts to support immigrant justice. Mount Zion will be supporting immigrant justice in a multitude of ways, and if you are interested in being part of this effort, please contact Deborah Moses, Mount Zion’s Tzedek Committee chair, at dmosesstpaul@gmail.com.

The resolution’s passing also means that an Immigrant Justice Work Group consisting of Scott Miller (Building and Grounds Committee), Phil Goldman (Past-President and Attorney), Larry Solomon (Executive Director), Deborah Moses (Tzedek Chair), Michael Kuhne (President-Elect), and Susan Robiner (President) will conduct an assessment of the risks and impact of Mount Zion becoming a housing congregation (a congregation willing to house immigrants at risk of deportation). No decision regarding housing will be made until after this group has conducted its work. This group aims to have a report ready for the Executive Committee and Board by early next year. Next steps will be formulated at that point and shared both with the Board and the congregation.

In the meantime, the Board and I encourage you to continue discussing these important issues about immigrant justice with one another and the Board. Look to the Mount Zion Bulletin and the website for programming and opportunities to learn more and to act. Wishing you a Thanksgiving full of blessings.

L’Shalom,

 

 

Susan M. Robiner, President