General Network Position Statements

NJHSA Stands in Solidarity with Asian-American Pacific Islander Communities
The Network of Jewish Human Services Agencies stands in solidarity with Asian American and Pacific Islander women and their communities against hate and violence and expresses deep sorrow for the lives that were senselessly taken in Tuesday’s shootings in the Atlanta area. We are horrified by this violent and senseless tragedy and our thoughts are with the families of the victims. Read more here. (3/19/21)

NJHSA Commends Biden Administration for Halting Public Charge Rule Implementation
“The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies (NJHSA) applauds the Biden administration for its decision this week to permanently block the 2019 public charge rule. The Network also thanks the numerous community advocates and litigants who fought against this harmful regulation that threatened the health, nutrition, and housing of millions of families. ”

The longstanding DHS “public charge inadmissibility test” affects people applying for admission to the country or for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status. The 2019 rule expanded inadmissibility factors to include being low-income, having a disability or chronic health condition, or enrolling in programs such as Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programs (SNAP). Read more here. (3/11/21)

Statement in Response to Acts of Insurrection at US Capitol
The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies and its member agencies join in horror and shock over the riots and loss of life that took place yesterday at the US Capitol. Despite the efforts of the Capitol Police, the National Guard and the DC police, the demonstrations resulted in bloodshed, loss of life, and horrific violence. The protests challenged the very basic principles of democracy and questioned the process of this nation’s long-standing tradition of ensuring a peaceful transition of elected officials. Learn more here.

JFS Agencies in Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio Join with NJHSA in Opposition to Texas’ Decision to Limit Access to Social Work Services for Persons with Disabilities and LGBTQI
JFS Austin, JFS Dallas, JFS Houston and JFS San Antonio join together with the full membership of the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies in strong opposition to the recent unanimous decision of the Texas State Board of Social Work Examiners to change a section of their Code of Conduct that establishes when a social worker may refuse to provide service. The change to the code allows a Texas licensed social worker to refuse to provide mental health or other support services to clients based on the client’s disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. This change, recommended by Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s office, is in keeping with a Texas State law passed last year which gave the governor’s office more control over rules governing state-licensed professions. Read more here.

Statement in Response to Louisville’s Grand Jury
The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies is united in its concern for the national pain and suffering that has resulted from the decisions of the Grand Jury in Louisville, in response to the murder of Breonna Taylor. We stand with our member agency, Jewish Family and Career Services of Louisville, as it seeks to support and to strengthen a grieving community. We also stand with all member agencies nationally as yet again our nation is experiencing a wave of protests seeking to elevate the urgent need for racial equity and justice. As provider agencies that deliver an extensive range of social services for those in need, the member agencies of the Network work each day to address the loss, anger and trauma caused by systemic racism. We recognize that the culture of racism is embedded within the fabric of our nation and are resolved to work locally, nationally and globally to end this scourge. We call on all Jewish community organizations, persons of faith and Jewish community leaders to join with us in embracing cultures that challenge the instinct to uphold racist values and bring us closer to the Jewish values that guide our tradition: “You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.” (Pirkei Avot/Ethics of our Fathers 2:21) (9/25/2020)

NJHSA Applauds SCOTUS Ruling Upholding DACA Program
The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies applauds today’s decision of the Supreme Court of the United States to uphold the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Today’s 5-4 ruling will protect from deportation hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the US as children. These young people known as Dreamers, many of whom have no memory or lived experience in their countries of origin, have grown up in the US where they have secured education, launched careers, and become part of the fabric of our society. Read more here. (6/18/2020)

NJHSA Applauds Scotus Ruling Upholding DACA Program
The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies applauds today’s decision of the Supreme Court of the United States to uphold the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Today’s 5-4 ruling will protect from deportation hundreds of thousands of immigrants brought to the US as children. These young people known as Dreamers, many of whom have no memory or lived experience in their countries of origin, have grown up in the US where they have secured education, launched careers, and become part of the fabric of our society. Learn more here.

NJHSA Statement Supporting Landmark SCOTUS Decision Supporting Workplace Equality for LGBTQ+
The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies applauds today’s landmark decision of the Supreme Court of the United States affirming that sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination are prohibited under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Today’s 6-3 decision is a clear victory for LGBTQ+ equality and ensures protection against employment discrimination. This much needed victory, coming at the same time as the continuing scourge of COVID-19 and racial injustice, brings to light the need to return to the founding values of this country, as a nation committed to ensuring freedom and basic rights for all.

As a Network of human service provider agencies, bound by Jewish traditions to seek justice for all, today’s decision strengthens our resolve to continue the work we do each day; to reduce barriers for those who struggle with access to meaningful employment and to help all to achieve a lasting degree of self-sustainability for themselves and their families. (6/15/2020)

Statement in Opposition of the Administration’s Plans to Roll Back Healthcare Protections for LGBTQ+
The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies stands in strong opposition to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) recent decision to eliminate critical anti-discrimination protections in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). HHS, following guidance from the Administration, has announced its plans to repeal the protections under the Health Care Rights Law (Section 1557 of the ACA) which prohibits insurance companies, hospitals and physicians that receive federal funding from denying patients care because of their race, gender or gender identity. The Network is concerned that the elimination of these protections will encourage discrimination against LGBTQ+ patients and persons of color. While the nation continues to wrestle with the devastating impact of a global pandemic, this decision will increase the many disparities that LGB, transgender, gender non-conforming and persons of color face when accessing healthcare services. As the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us all, these disparities can lead to devastating consequences. Read more here. (6/15/2020)

Statement on the Death of George Floyd
The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies joins with JFCS Minneapolis in expressing sorrow and outrage at the senseless death of George Floyd. Due to the historic experience of the Jewish people, and our values, we are committed to standing against discrimination of any kind. As a Network, we strive to support all those in need, regardless of faith, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or ability. We offer our sympathy to his loved ones and stand with all who seek justice. (5/28/20)

NJHSA Applauds Administration, CMS for Approving Phone-Only Mental Health Coverage for Medicare Recipients
The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies applauds the administration and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services for expanding Medicare coverage for audio-only telephone services during the COVID-19 pandemic, including psychotherapy, health behavior assessment and intervention services, and other behavioral health services. Continue reading here.

NJHSA Urges Passage of Families First Coronavirus Response Act
The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies stands united in full support of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the stimulus package proposed by the US House of Representatives and urges the House and Senate to pass this timely and critical legislation and move it forward to the President for immediate action.

The global pandemic of COVID-19 is unprecedented and its implications for the economy, the health care system and the human service sector are staggering.   As Jewish human service providers, the member agencies of NJHSA work each day to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the most vulnerable among our communities. Guided by Jewish values of caring for those in need, our agencies do so in partnership with critical resources supported by government and the corporate and philanthropic sectors. The core elements of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act address the critical needs of ensuring paid sick leave, emergency paid leave benefits, emergency funding for unemployment insurance benefits, support for family and child nutrition programs, and investments in Medicaid and as such ensure an essential safety net is in place for those most at risk.

Response to Administration’s Refugee Projections for 2020
The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies strongly condemns the Administration’s decision to lower the number of refugees to be admitted to the United States to 18,000 for the year 2020. This number, lowered from the 2019 number of 30,000 is now the lowest number in United States history and comes while the worldwide refugee population, an estimated 26 million, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), is the highest number ever recorded.  In lowering admissions to an all-time low of 18,000, the Administration is challenging the core principles of our nation and questioning the very fabric of the US as a nation of immigrants. As providers of refugee resettlement, employment, immigration and citizenship services, the member agencies of The Network, guided by the core Jewish belief of welcoming the stranger, will continue to work each day to strengthen and support refugees in their quest for freedom, safety and security. We urge Congress and all Americans to challenge the Administration on the merits of this decision and to uphold the values upon which our Country was founded.

Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies Statement on Jersey City Shooting
Once again, The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies is bereft following this week’s shooting in Jersey City, New Jersey. As the details continue to unfold and the view is pointing to this incident as being of an anti-Semitic nature, our pain and sorrow runs even deeper. The member agencies of our Network know all too well the lasting trauma which episodes of gun violence bring to not only the victims, but also to the surrounding community members. We also know that the impact of these incidents are felt world-wide. The kosher supermarket in Jersey City is no longer a place of convenience for the Jewish community of Jersey City, but rather a stark reminder of the hatred which is gripping our country and our world. Today, we stand with the victims and the bereaved families and community members in Jersey City, as we stand everyday with the countless victims of mass shootings and senseless hatred taking place throughout the world. The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies is united in its determination to support communities in their efforts to move beyond the hatred, which is the root of the violence, and will continue its efforts to support the victims and the impacted communities as they grieve these unspeakable losses.

JCPA Urges Administration to End the Family Separation Policy And Uphold Our Nation’s Values of Family Unity and Justice
The Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA) strongly condemns the Administration’s policy of separating children from their migrant families at the US’s southern border. To amplify the voice of the Jewish community and speak out against this policy, JCPA and ADL sent a letter signed by 26 national Jewish organizations (including the Network) urging the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to immediately end this inhumane practice. Learn more HERE.

Statement on Family Separation at the U.S. Border
In the weeks since U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the new “zero-tolerance” immigration border policy on May 7, 2018, nearly 650 families have been prosecuted between May 6th and May 19th alone, with the number expected to rise. The new policy seeks to deliberately separate migrant families seeking asylum at the border, frightening children and potentially inflicting additional long-term trauma on them and their families. Learn more HERE.

Statement Opposing Termination of Temporary Protected Status
The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies opposes the White House decision to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Salvadorans. NJHSA remains firm in our view that our nation was founded with values of respect for all and that our country should remain a source of comfort and refuge for all who need a haven. Learn more HERE.

Statement in Support of Legal Action in Response to Refugee Ban
The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies stands in full support of its member agencies; HIAS, Jewish Family Service of Seattle and Jewish Family Service of Silicon Valley who have joined together in a class action suit against the administration’s most recent travel ban. Learn more HERE.

Statement on Charlottesville
The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies is resolute in its opposition to the openly racist, bigoted, and anti-Semitic protests which took place this past weekend. Learn more HERE.

Statement on DACA
With our commitment to refugee services firmly rooted in the fabric of our member agencies, the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies strongly opposes the administration’s decision to set an end date to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Read the entire statement HERE.

Hurricane Harvey Emergency Response Warmline Update
As the rain subsides, the people of Houston and east Texas are coming face to face with the realities of the disaster and the challenges they face to rebuild their lives. In response, NJHSA and Jewish Family Service of Houston launched an Emergency Support Line. Learn more HERE.

Statement on Terror Attack in Pittsburgh
The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies is devastated by the unspeakable loss of eleven lives in today’s hate filled shooting at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue. We send our condolences to those who have lost loved ones and send our wishes for strength to those who will work with this community in the coming days, months and years as they find their way through the trauma and suffering. Read the entire statement here.

Statement in Opposition of HHS Waiver for South Carolina Agency
The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies stands united in firm opposition of the recent US Department of Health and Human Services’ decision to grant a waiver authorizing a South Carolina social service agency to discriminate against prospective foster parents on the basis of religion. As a non-profit, receiving government funding, Miracle Hill Ministries of South Carolina was recently granted a waiver after a Jewish woman was reportedly refused acceptance as a potential foster parent due to her faith. The government issued waiver endorses discrimination, which is unlawful and in direct opposition to the values upon which the United States was established. The granting of this waiver sets a dangerous precedent for other forms of discrimination and should not have a place in the US child welfare system.

Statement on Poway
Once again, our country is shocked from the horrors of another synagogue shooting. Once again, a community must find the courage needed to begin the long and painful healing process. Once again, a member agency of the Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies is at the forefront providing critical crisis response. The Network strongly affirms the belief that houses of worship are places of peace, and of community, and should always be places of safety. We stand with our colleagues at JFS San Diego as they support the community of Poway and guide the greater San Diego region in its quest to find meaning amidst the hate. As providers of critical social services, Network agencies will continue to strengthen communities during times of unspeakable crises, and we will continue to strengthen the first responders within our Network, so they build resilience as they strengthen grieving communities. May we as a nation find the courage to learn from this tragedy and together build a world of respect for all.