Join us in online education for action!
Talk About It Tuesdays is a mini speaker series that will run from May – November, 2024 in lieu of the annual Action Conference this year. On the third Tuesday of each month, registrants will engage with speakers around our four organizational priorities and be offered additional educational resources and ways to take action. Education for action is a pillar of the work we do at PJALS, and we are so excited to offer another consistent opportunity for members to be a part of!
July 16, 2024
War Tax Resistance 101
with Lincoln Rice & Chrissy Kirchoefer from the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC)
Nearly half of all federal income taxes are directed to US militarism. In addition, the current invasion of Gaza is largely funded by military foreign aid to Israel. Refusing payment of federal income taxes is one way to refuse direct participation in US militarism.
This session will be an introduction to the whys and hows of war tax resistance, with a discussion of potential consequences and resource referral. This session is aimed at people new to war tax resistance and those wanting more information about war tax resistance. This workshop will be facilitated by Lincoln Rice and Chrissy Kirchhoefer from the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee (NWTRCC).
Chrissy Kirchhoefer
she/her
Chrissy Kirchhoefer has been working with the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee as Outreach Consultant since January
of 2019. She began her path to war tax resistance after joining the Catholic Worker while completing her degree in Social Work. Her work on anti-militarism campaigns started as a community organizer with the Peace Economy Project in St. Louis. She has worked with several national endeavors including the War Resisters League, MennoCon (Mennonite conventions), and the Wheels of Justice bus tour; has helped establish a Catholic Worker in St. Louis.
Lincoln Rice
he/him
Lincoln Rice has been the Coordinator for the National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee since May 2018 and a war tax resister since 1998. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and earned his PhD in Christian Ethics in 2013 from Marquette University. He has published in the areas of Black liberation theology and social ethics.
May 21, 2024
Peace and Truth Heals: Building Stronger Movements Together Webinar
with Moji Agha
Embark on a journey with Moji Agha, an Iranian-American Sufi monk, as he leads the Peace And Truth Heals (PATH) speaking tour across the Western U.S. & Canada. Join us as we delve into three pivotal themes: Iranian Nonviolence, Native/American Truth and Reconciliation, and Intersectional Circles (Chambers of Compassion) initiatives.
PATH’s mission revolves around fostering dialogue-based truth-telling, rooted in the ethos of decolonization. By confronting historical narratives and embracing diverse perspectives, we aim to cultivate peace, nonviolence, and systemic collaboration within civil society movements.
Following the presentation, engage with Agha in a thought-provoking Q&A session, where participants can delve deeper into the themes explored.
Moji Agha
he/him
Moji Agha retired mental health professional and university educator in psychology and related social sciences (including conflict resolution), Moji Agha, a Sufi “monk” or dervish—with a vow of service and poverty–left a promising career well over two decades ago, shifting his extensive education and experience to the healing of “Grandmother Earth.” He has had a four-decades-long professional, clinical, and academic background in behavioral, cultural (and ecological) studies and conflict understanding and healing. His “intersectional” peace, justice, human rights, democracy, interfaith dialogue, and Mother Earth activism has been endorsed (and encouraged) by many legendary figures, such as the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Professor Noam Chomsky.
Brother Moji is a member of Historians for Peace and Democracy, and an Iranian-American (sufi) Muslim member of the Jewish Voice for Peace. An associate member of Veterans For Peace, he is a retired (now former) member of Psychologists for Social Responsibility.
March 2024
Ceasefire and Beyond: What’s Happening in Palestine/Israel and Its Impacts Q&A
with Sabrene Odeh and Dr. Alice Rothchild
In this moment, it is imperative to recognize our shared humanity and tied liberation. This facilitated Q&A session aims to create dialogue around the ongoing violence in Palestine/Israel. Participants are encouraged to submit questions ahead of time and actively engage during the webinar. Topics up for discussion include but are not limited to:
- Historical and current conditions in Palestine/Israel
- Rise in Islamophobic and antisemitic hate crimes and rhetoric
- The necessary distinctions between people and their governments
- Antisemitism, anti-Muslim racism, and imperialism fueling the United States government’s past and current role and support in the genocide faced by the Palestinian people
- Current and lasting impacts of the ongoing violence
We are joined by Sabrene Odeh (she/her) who is the Co-founder of Baladna, an organization created for Palestinian community, organizing, and advocacy; as well as Alice Rothchild (she/her) a Jewish activist, author, and retired obstetrician who supported health care efforts in Gaza and now serves on the JVP Health Advisory Council. Following the Q&A, we take immediate action together. Join us in urging our legislators to advocate for a permanent ceasefire and the development of just and peaceful solutions to address the profound impacts on lives, displacement, and violence in Palestine and Israel.
Dr. Alice Rothchild
she/her
Activist, author, & member of Jewish Voices for Peace Health Advisory Council