Last Wednesday, as part of its new Advocacy Initiative, Hillel hosted a training session conducted by the Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice. It was an opportunity for people of different faiths and backgrounds to learn their legal rights and how workers are exploited.
The Madison Worker Rights Center developed as an outgrowth of the Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice. Exploited or abused workers can come to the center and talk with an advocate. Advocates help workers to gain an understanding of the laws and policies that determine their workplace rights.
Some Jewish students may feel they have no connection to the immigrant workers who go to the Worker Rights Center, but in thinking that, they overlook a history of labor struggle that is deeply ingrained in their identity as Jews.
Workers fought long, hard battles for working standards we take for granted. Many of these workers were our Jewish immigrant grandparents and great-grandparents. Often we forget our connection to past immigrant communities and do not recognize our commitment to advocating for today's immigrant communities.
To get involved in advocacy initiatives at Hillel, contact me or Willie Recht at slashley@wisc.edu or wjrecht@wisc.edu.
