I wanted to personally let you know that this is my last week at Bend the Arc. After nearly 14 incredible years, it’s time for my career, my work as an activist, and my rabbinate to enter a new chapter.
When I started here in 2011, we were not even called Bend the Arc — we were still made up of Jewish Funds for Justice and the Progressive Jewish Alliance, which merged to form Bend the Arc the following year. Over the last 14 years, I’ve held many different roles at Bend the Arc, including Rabbi-in-Residence, Selah Program Director, and Washington Director. And in this time, I’ve worked alongside movement partners, Bend the Arc leaders, faith leaders, and people like you to rise up together and fight for a better future.
While my time on staff at Bend the Arc is ending, my deep love and belief in this organization and movement is stronger than ever.
That’s why I hope you’ll join me in honoring and recommitting to our shared work — for the past, the future, and this urgent moment — with a gift of $18, $36 or any other amount. (Or, start a monthly gift to power Bend the Arc's work for the long haul.) Your gift will power the Jewish resistance to Trump’s cruel policies, bold action alongside our partners, and mobilization all around the country.
At Bend the Arc, alongside friends and allies like you, I have found a real sense of purpose and meaning as a human, as a Jew, and as a rabbi. Here are some highlights from my 14 years at Bend the Arc:
Raising a faith voice for workers’ rights, including the fight for a $15 minimum wage and a union for U.S. contract workers
Fighting for civil and voting rights alongside visionary faith leaders like Rev. William Barber, Sister Simone Campbell, and Rev. Jennifer Butler
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Putting our bodies on the line for immigrant justice
Protesting racist police killings and reinforcing Jewish support of the Black Lives Matter movement
Rising up to resist Trump and cruel policies like the Muslim ban
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Organizing with our partners and allies to fight together for our collective liberation
Working alongside Bend the Arc’s incredible volunteer leaders
Passing the leadership of Bend the Arc’s advocacy work to Eli Williams-Szenes, Bend the Arc’s new Director of Advocacy and Political Affairs!
Marching in Washington, D.C. for May Day two weeks ago with Eli (new Director of Advocacy & Political Affairs) and Hannah (Immigration Campaign Manager)
This is a moment when those in power are working overtime to scare, divide, and dehumanize us as a way of consolidating power. Our power lies in our resistance to that fear-mongering and our resolute commitment to our shared humanity and human dignity.
It has been the honor of a lifetime to do this work with you, and I look forward to staying in the fight until we win the future we know is possible.
I hope you’ll join me in marking this transition with a gift of $18, $36, or any other amount to Bend the Arc. (Or, start a monthly gift to power Bend the Arc's work for the long haul.) Our combined gifts will power Bend the Arc’s urgent work to fight the Trump regime’s cruel agenda and protect our beloved communities.
With my deepest gratitude,
Rabbi Jason Kimelman-Block
Washington Director, Bend the Arc
