On Monday, March 13, 2017, Central Synagogue hosted New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, before 1,000 people, representing over 65 faith communities and justice organizations from across the city and state to discuss a very important topic: age-appropriate treatment of youth in the New York criminal justice system. New York is one of two states in the country that treats 16 and 17-year-olds as adults in the criminal justice system. These youths are denied access to vital resources in the juvenile system and can be housed with adults, which puts them at a greater risk for abuse and recidivism. Here are some moments from a powerful evening that raised our hearts, minds, and hope that New York will finally Raise the Age!

Take Action!

Video | Photos | Learn more | Program

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We have only three weeks before the NY State Legislature votes to Raise the Age, or not. For several years, we have come close but not crossed the finish line. Help make the change the children of our state deserve and need.

We need YOU to call your state senators TODAY and urge them to pass Raise the Age!

These 3 calls will take 3 minutes of your time and make a big difference!

1. Call Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan at (518) 455-2071
2. Call Senator Jeff Klein, leader of the Independent Democratic Conference, at (518) 455-3595
3. Call your own state senator (look up your senator’s name and phone number online: nysenate.gov/find-my-senator)
4. Bonus: Call the senator for the districts where you work or might have another residence – Long Island and Upstate senators are particularly important

Use this script as a guide for your call:

Hello, my name is [your full name] and I live/work in [your city, town, zip code, or district].

I am calling to urge the Senator to do all s/he can to pass comprehensive Raise the Age legislation as part of the budget this year. Specifically, we need to ensure that as many sixteen and seventeen year olds as possible have their cases heard in family court, not adult court. Please support this smart-on-crime proposal and Raise the Age!

Please feel free to let us know how your calls went. You can send us a quick email at [email protected]. Again, thank you for joining us last night and for taking action on this important issue!

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Central Synagogue is working with a coalition of groups, including the Raise the Age NY campaign. Learn more about this important issue on their website: raisetheageny.com

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Co-Chairs

Mari Hinojosa, Central Synagogue
Joanna Pressman, Congregation Beth Elohim

Prayerful Song

Cantor Josh Breitzer, Congregation Beth Elohim
Cantor Julia Cadrain, Central Synagogue

Welcome

Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Central Synagogue

Roll Call

Mari Hinojosa, Central Synagogue
Joanna Pressman, Congregation Beth Elohim

Why We Are Here

Zachary Katznelson, Congregation Beth Elohim

Stories

Robert DeLeon
Jim St. Germain

The Voice of our Teens

Esmeralda Garcia, Educational Alliance
Kierra Sistrunk, Educational Alliance
Savion Arokium, Educational Alliance
Isabelle Russo, Central Synagogue
Simon Markowitz, Central Synagogue
Phoebe May, Central Synagogue
Matthew Breitman, Congregation Beth Elohim
Jake Brooks, Congregation Beth Elohim
Benji Timoner, Congregation Beth Elohim

Invitation to Governor Cuomo

Whitney Tilson, Central Synagogue

Governor Andrew Cuomo

Response to Governor Cuomo

Rabbi Rachel Timoner, Congregation Beth Elohim

Taking Action Together

Rabbi Stephanie Kolin, Central Synagogue

Closing Benediction

Reverend Brian Ellis-Gibbs, Queens Baptist Church
Imam Shamsi Ali, Chairman of the Al-Hikmah Mosque and Director of Jamaica Muslim Center
Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, Central Synagogue