November and Kislev Notes
A few notes from our Kislev e-news. Sign-up to join the mailing list.
November
"Every November, it has become a light-hearted tradition for the [US] president and some governors to 'pardon' turkeys before the Thanksgiving holiday....With Thanksgiving right around the corner, and their days in office numbered, outgoing leaders can spare human beings, rather than just birds." -- PPI briefing
Briefing and Action Items. This Prison Policy Initiative briefing includes information about death row in US states and the federal system. In addition, it explores how President Biden and governors can use clemency for those facing a state-sanctioned death. See also: Message from Inside plus issue background, calls to action, and a memorial listing.
NOTE: Matir Asurim community members include those on death row in the US and their loved ones.
Image Description: Parade of turkey images behind text reading: Talking Turkey & Pardons: "The choice to ignore death row and spare a turkey instead is no act of festive good will" Prison Policy Initiative.
Kislev
Kislev, in the Torah cycle, brings us to the Joseph story, including his incarceration and re-entry. The biblical Joseph's experience of incarceration has been the subject of a huge array of Jewish discussions over the centuries. Here are a few approaches to explore: "Joseph's Solitary Confinement," from T'ruah: the Rabbinic Call for Human Rights; "Joseph in Custody," from the scholarly site Torah.com; and "Joseph in Prison," among source sheets posted at Sefaria.