[CUADPUpdate] Traditions....

[Abraham J. Bonowitz]

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Greetings All,

First, thanks to all of you who responded to Ron Keine's comments 
which I sent earlier in the week.  Response was overwhelmingly positive.

CUADP would like to wish all of our Jewish and Muslim brothers and 
sisters a meaningful, safe and peaceful holiday season.  In this holy 
time of year, we pray that G-d blesses us all with an increase in 
spirituality, a renewed hope in humanity, and a unwavering commitment 
to justice and truth.

To Jews, happy new year.  May you and yours be sealed in the book of life.

To Muslims, we wish you and yours a peaceful and blessed month of Ramadan.

(A little Ramadan background:  During this month, over 1.3 billion 
Muslims worldwide practice restraint and generosity as a reflection 
of their commitment to God and in fulfillment of the commandment of 
fasting, one of the five pillars of Islam.  Regarding Ramadan, the 
Quran states: "Fasting is ordained for you as it was ordained for 
those before you, so that you might remain conscious of God" (2:183). 
The month of Ramadan marks the revelation of the first verses of the 
Quran over 1400 years ago, and is typically marked by an increase in 
charitable giving.)

The Sages teach us that one of the holiest ways to serve God is by 
giving generously of our earnings to charity.

Why?  We work hard to earn our income; we pour much of our energy 
into doing so. When we then disburse it to charity, when we 
demonstrate our recognition that we have but been entrusted by God to 
act on His behalf to distribute His resources, we demonstrate one of 
the highest levels of faith a human being can achieve: We give a 
piece of our very soul. It is as if we offer our very essence to God.

So, whether you are Jewish, Muslim, or other, NOW is a good time give 
freely to the charities that make a difference in our movement. Let's 
give beyond what we perceive to be our means. It may be any one of us 
-- or all of us together -- who tip the scales.

As much as CUADP can use resources at this time, I would like to 
encourage you to make several generous gifts, today if possible, or 
else as soon as you can get to it.

First, please consider your state anti-death penalty 
organization.  If you do not know what group that is, see 
http://www.ncadp.org/affiliateDirectory.cfm

Next, please consider the National Coalition to Abolish the Death 
Penalty.  NCADP has grown tremendously in the past several years and 
is contributing in many ways throughout the movement.  Every 
abolitionist should be a supporter of the National Coalition.  Please 
go to http://www.ncadp.org/ and look for the Donate NOW button at the 
top right.

Other national groups that do fine work are listed at 
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/article.php?did=547&scid=37#Int%27l/Nat%27l 
- Especially consider the victim family groups like the 
www.journeyofhope.org, www.mvfr.org, and www.mvfhr.org


And finally, even though CUADP is technically on sabbatical as I 
serve as "Field Manager" on the campaign in New Jersey, certain needs 
remain.  For example, bills for CUADP's internet presence via at 
least nine internet domains have come due.  And sad to say, there is 
also a bit of debt servicing that continues....  I cannot thank 
enough the CUADP Sustainers who continue to give monthly via credit 
card, but if you are not among them, please help at this time....

Make a secure on-line donation to CUADP using a major credit card or 
PAYPAL at https://www.compar.com/donation/donateform.html

Send a check to:

CUADP
PMB 335
2603 NW 13th St.
Gainesville, FL  32609

to make it TAX DEDUCTIBLE, make the check to FCPJ (Florida Coalition 
for Peace & Justice) and send it to the above address.

We are also able to accept donations of STOCK - contact abe at cuadp.org 
for details.

Thanks.

paz!

--abe


"Talk is cheap.  It's the way we organize and use our lives
every day that tells what we believe in."
                                     -- Cesar E. Chavez

*************

NOTE:  CONTRIBUTIONS TO CUADP ARE NOT TAX DEDUCTIBLE.  NO 
PROFESSIONAL SOLICITOR IS CURRENTLY ENGAGED WITH CUADP. 100% OF ANY 
CONTRIBUTION GOES TO THE ORGANIZATION.