AJJ in the News
A local group of volunteers has done a lot to help unsheltered Arizonans. But recently, they tell us there are so many more in our state who also need a little help, so they're launching the Shalom Pantry.
During Pride Month in June, Michael Soto, president of Equality Arizona, the oldest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, led a virtual presentation advocating for allyship between the LGBTQ+ and Jewish communities, arguing that it is the strongest path to safety for both.
In a June newsletter, Valley Beit Midrash (VBM) President and Dean Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz joyfully announced that his global center for learning and action had just received its first Torah, one that had been “saved from the ashes in Romania, where it had been desecrated by the Nazis.”
AJJ invites Havasupai activist to explain need to ban uranium mining in Grand Canyon
On Thursday, April 24, Carletta Tilousi spoke virtually to a Jewish audience at the invitation of Arizona Jews for Justice (AJJ).
Having the hard conversation: Muslim-Jewish dialogue after Oct. 7
Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz and Dr. Mehnaz Afridi held an online discussion titled, “Bridging Faiths: Jewish-Muslim Collaboration for Democracy and Tolerance,” on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024.
‘I’m not willing to give up on democracy,’ RAC rabbi tells Phoenix gathering
Rabbi Jonah Pesner presented in front of a live audience at Temple Chai in Phoenix and to participants on Zoom.
'Bring them home' rally in Scottsdale follows murder of six hostages
Following the murder of six hostages in Gaza, Arizona Jews for Justice (AJJ) organized a “Bring Them Home” rally on the morning of Sept. 6 on the corner of Scottsdale and Thunderbird Roads in Scottsdale.
Phoenix senior does deep dive on Prop. 137
Judy Schaffert talked extensively about the ramifications of Proposition 137 during a virtual event for Arizona Jews for Justice.
Teens talk to other teens about antisemitism
We are delighted to uplift the leadership of local young Jewish leaders to become champions against hate and bigotry while they continue to advocate for a just society.
"We have seen tyrants," Yanklowitz said. "We have seen tyrants since Pharaoh all the way up to our time with Putin. And these are tyrants that will only stop with pressure and with strong global advocacy."
“These types of hate acts have huge repercussions for how the community feels here,” said Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz. “What we know is that these types of hate messages ultimately lead toward violence. So we have to name them and counter them right away.”
“These types of hate acts have huge repercussions for how the community feels here,” said Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz. “What we know is that these types of hate messages ultimately lead toward violence. So we have to name them and counter them right away.”
"For many people, Thanksgiving is just a time for family. What we realize, with some of our family being distant and wanting the holiday to not just be about us, that who would be the best people to invite, people who don't have a family to turn to and that would be the refugee community," said Rabbi Yanklowitz."
"One very big, red and yellow bus, emblazoned with the words 'Let’s Be Better Humans,' is parked outside of Arizona Jews for Justice’s Phoenix office, and it might be just the thing to help the organization get to the next level of its humanitarian work."
"The morning’s prayer circle, which included six local rabbis representing Reform, Conservative and Orthodox perspectives, was to call attention to the Civil War-era abortion ban, which was put into effect Sept. 23. This ban outlaws all abortions in the state, except when the life of the mother is at risk, which is left to a doctor’s “good faith clinical judgment” and has caused much confusion and consternation among doctors, hospitals and pregnant people."
Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz speaks during a rally for asylum seekers outside the ICE offices in Phoenix on March 22, 2022. They are demanding the Biden Administration end Title 42 and stop holding asylum seekers illegally in Mexico.
Worried about climate, Jewish activists attempt to sway Sinema. Arizona Jews for Justice organized a rally, Hear the Call: Jews for a Just Recovery Package, outside of U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s office at 3333 E. Camelback Rd. The event’s goal was to convince the moderate Democrats to vote yes on the reconciliation package — “with not a penny less.” Their clarion call: “Climate, care, jobs and justice now!”
on Sept. 12, 2021.
"Rabbi Dr. Shmuly Yanklowitz, founder of Arizona Jews for Justice, and six of the organization’s members joined Revs. Jesse Jackson, Dr. William J. Barber II and Transformative Justice Coalition President Barbara Arnwine in a march and sit-in at U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema’s Phoenix office on Monday, July 26.
"AJJ has focused on immigration efforts since its founding in 2013. Chavez Calderon was hired in 2018, just before a surge in asylum seekers brought renewed interest in the border. The group advocates for the humane treatment of migrants and has led protests outside of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s headquarters in Phoenix to demand humanitarian medical care."
The rally was organized by Arizona Jews for Justice, which looks to mobilize the Jewish community toward progressive action in the Valley and Arizona as a whole.
"We are here to support our undocumented communities," Chavez said. "We are here to make sure that folks understand that we are tired of the same narrative that pushes migration as some sort of illegal, horrific thing.
"We want to change the narrative of migration being a crisis. The crisis isn’t in migration, our response is a crisis of how we dehumanize people, how we look at people as less than."
"We think the big mitzvah opportunity this year is with matanot l'evyonim ... because people are struggling so much with unemployment and poverty," said Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz, president and dean of Valley Beit Midrash, an organization that provides learning, leadership and social justice opportunities to the community."We think the big mitzvah opportunity this year is with matanot l'evyonim ... because people are struggling so much with unemployment and poverty," said Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz, president and dean of Valley Beit Midrash, an organization that provides learning, leadership and social justice opportunities to the community.
With passion, creativity, and a deep commitment to justice, a new generation of AJJ leaders is stepping up to address longstanding challenges — from racial equity to refugee rights — showing that youth activism is at the heart of Arizona Jews for Justice’s mission.
As a new administration begins in Washington, Phoenix-area Jewish leaders — including those from Arizona Jews for Justice — are looking ahead with cautious optimism, hoping for meaningful progress on immigration, social justice, and the fight against antisemitism.
On his first day in office, President Biden took bold steps toward immigration reform — but for Arizona Jews for Justice and its allies on the ground, the work is far from over. From ending family separation to providing a path to citizenship, advocates are committed to seeing justice through.
Donations from Phoenix Jewish community head to Mexican border
Blankets, food, hygiene kits, and hope — members of the Phoenix Jewish community, alongside Arizona Jews for Justice, are sending critical supplies to migrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border, turning compassion into action at a time of urgent need.
From delivering groceries to vulnerable families to organizing community-wide PPE distributions, Arizona Jews for Justice has mobilized quickly and consistently during the COVID-19 crisis, offering support where it's needed most — with heart, purpose, and persistence.
As a DACA recipient and organizer with Arizona Jews for Justice, one young leader is helping others access their voting rights, standing at the intersection of hope and activism in Arizona’s fight for a more inclusive democracy.
From planting trees to advocating for clean energy, Jewish activists in Arizona — with leadership from Arizona Jews for Justice — are joining a national movement to combat climate change, rooted in the Jewish value of tikkun olam: repairing the world.
With candlelight vigils and heartfelt reflections, the Phoenix Jewish community honored the legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — a champion of equality and trailblazer whose impact continues to inspire organizations like Arizona Jews for Justice to fight for justice in her spirit.
Speaking from the heart and from experience, AJJ’s Eddie Chavez Calderon joined Brad Show Live to share his story as a DACA recipient, activist, and Jewish community leader — spotlighting the fight for immigrant justice and the power of standing up for what’s right.
Beneath the fading Arizona sun, candles flickered on the steps of the State Capitol as Arizona Jews for Justice and community members gathered to mourn and honor Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg — a towering figure whose fight for justice continues to guide their work.
Young voices are leading the way. A new generation of Jewish teens, in partnership with Arizona Jews for Justice, is speaking out against racism and lifting up Jews of color — calling for a more inclusive, accountable, and unified Jewish community.
Eddie Chavez Calderon, the campaign organizer for Arizona Jews for Justice, spoke at the presser and called for advocacy groups to help migrant children, saying that action can be taken without government assistance. He also demanded that no children be deported by themselves.
Featured on PBS, AJJ’s Eddie Chavez Calderon reflects on the legacy he carries — as a Jewish Latino, a DACA recipient, and an activist. His story is one of resilience, identity, and the powerful tradition of fighting for justice across generations.
Children held in secret. Families torn apart. For Arizona Jews for Justice, the previous administration’s shadowy detention of migrant youth was not just a policy failure — it was a moral crisis. And they’re still fighting to make sure it never happens again.
As children remain in detention across the Southwest, Arizona Jews for Justice and allied advocates are urging Sen. Kyrsten Sinema to act. For them, protecting migrant youth isn’t political — it’s a matter of conscience, community, and urgent moral responsibility.
Following nationwide protests against racial injustice, Arizona Jews for Justice joined other local Jewish organizations in standing with the Black community — committing to deeper solidarity, antiracist action, and the ongoing work of tikkun olam.
As campaign energy surged through Phoenix during President Trump’s visit, Arizona Jews for Justice remained focused on mobilizing around issues of justice, inclusion, and the protection of vulnerable communities — no matter the political climate.
After tireless advocacy from grassroots leaders and organizations like Arizona Jews for Justice, the Arizona Senate passed a resolution affirming support for refugees — a symbolic but powerful win for compassion, dignity, and the immigrant community.
Arizona Jews for Justice, a Jewish social justice organization, will be joining Puente for the "Reject Hate" protest and march... "Our faith drives us to be people who stand up for the morality of what’s right," Eddie Chavez Calderon said. "The Jewish people know what it feels like to be marginalized and oppressed."
In a heartfelt gathering, Arizona Jews for Justice recognized two key allies — a local pastor and a state representative — for their unwavering commitment to justice, inclusion, and standing with the Jewish community in the fight for human dignity.
In the aftermath of tragedy, faith leaders and community members — including Arizona Jews for Justice — came together in prayer and protest, lighting candles and lifting voices to honor victims and demand a world free from violence and hate.
“We must demand change,” echoed through the crowd as Arizona Jews for Justice joined Phoenix leaders at a vigil for shooting victims — a call not just for mourning, but for meaningful action to end gun violence and protect all communities.
At the Lights for Liberty vigil, Arizona Jews for Justice stood shoulder to shoulder with advocates, holding candles for migrant families separated and detained — a quiet but powerful protest against injustice at the border and beyond.
In a bold interfaith stand, progressive churches — alongside Arizona Jews for Justice — are pushing back against anti-immigrant rhetoric, advocating instead for a faith-driven response rooted in compassion, human dignity, and welcome for the stranger.
Overcrowded cells, lack of medical care, and inhumane treatment sparked national outrage — and Arizona Jews for Justice is at the forefront of demanding accountability, standing with migrants and exposing the brutal realities inside detention centers.
As more horrifying details surface about conditions in immigration detention, Arizona Jews for Justice continues its fight to end these abuses — visiting centers, amplifying migrant voices, and reminding the world that silence is complicity.
Dropped off without resources, asylum seekers are being abandoned at bus stops and shelters — but Arizona Jews for Justice and a coalition of solidarity activists are stepping in, offering food, shelter, and the radical hospitality that policy has denied.
Arizona Jews for Justice joined other Phoenix-based organizations to condemn the inhumane conditions faced by migrants — demanding dignity, oversight, and an end to mass detention.
From Phoenix to the border, Arizona Jews for Justice is joining the national call: shut down detention centers. Alongside Latino communities and interfaith allies, the movement is growing — demanding justice and freedom for detained migrants.
"For more than a decade, immigrants lacking a legal status who arrived in the country as children have pushed for a pathway to citizenship. Known as “dreamers,” these youth have been arrested in demonstrations, stopped deportations of family members and strangers, sued the state of Arizona, won the right to obtain driver’s licenses and lost in-state tuition."
Outside the Phoenix ICE field office, Arizona Jews for Justice and other Jewish social justice groups gathered to mourn the deaths of six migrant children — turning grief into action with prayers, protest signs, and a demand for accountability.
With meals, and warm welcomes, Arizona Jews for Justice and local volunteers are offering more than just aid — they’re restoring dignity to migrant families recently released by ICE, living out the Jewish value of welcoming the stranger.
When ICE drops off migrants with no warning and no resources, a quiet network of solidarity springs into action. Arizona Jews for Justice is part of that lifeline — offering supplies and compassion in a system that too often offers none.
Across the Valley, Jewish volunteers — many working through Arizona Jews for Justice — are stepping up to welcome asylum seekers with food, shelter, and solidarity, turning faith into action at one of the most critical frontlines of the immigration crisis.
Traveling from Los Angeles to the Arizona border, members of B’nai David-Judea bring urgently needed supplies — and a message of compassion — to asylum seekers released from detention.
At bus stops and shelters, Arizona Jews for Justice meets asylum seekers newly released from detention with open arms — offering meals, clothing, and care during one of the most vulnerable moments in their journey to safety.
In the face of rising hate and violent attacks, Phoenix’s Jewish and interfaith communities — including Arizona Jews for Justice — are standing stronger than ever, choosing unity, resilience, and love over fear and division.
Bold, outspoken, and grounded in justice, a new wave of Orthodox rabbis — including AJJ’s Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz — is breaking the mold, rallying against injustice and pushing the Jewish community into a more courageous moral future.
As the future of DACA hangs in the balance, Arizona Jews for Justice and other Valley Jewish organizations are standing firmly with Dreamers — advocating for permanent protections, immigrant rights, and a more just America for all.
With signs in hand and stories in their hearts, Arizona Jews for Justice and other local Jewish groups rallied in support of Dreamers — calling for permanent protections and standing up for immigrant youth as a moral and communal responsibility.
This year’s Passover seder comes with a call to action. Arizona Jews for Justice is helping families bring social justice to the table — with guides that connect the ancient story of liberation to today’s fights for freedom, equity, and dignity.
From organizing aid drives to offering hands-on support, Arizona Jews for Justice and other Jewish organizations remain deeply committed to refugee relief
Arizona Jews for Justice is answering the call to welcome refugees — urging communities to open their hearts and homes to those seeking safety, and to turn empathy into action in the face of global displacement.
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