Every year the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) does a day of action in defense of the rights of immigrants. A diverse delegation representing New York state’s different ethnic communities heads for Albany, where it conducts, either in the capitol building or on the steps, large meetings to present their demands and meet with elected officials about problems. more>

The New York Charter Commission proposed splitting off a part of Brighton Beach from the 47th City Council District. The community would no longer be able to vote in one voice or elect a Russian-speaking candidate. Some believe a conspiracy theory—that someone is preventing Jews from the former Soviet Union from accessing power. It’s leading to some interesting reactions—and actions—from the Russian-speaking community. more>

Getting absorbed in pre-election excitement, I really got a feel for the rhythms and impulses of the people around me. By including myself in their work, I was trying to discern the motives driving these volunteers. I learned that one thing that distinguishes America from other countries is that it helps people whether or not they’ve spent their entire lives here. more>

Among family and friends Lyudochka was always the leader. Wherever we were, whatever we were doing, if Lyudochka arrived, everything became warmer and happier, and any sorrows or bad moods disappeared. Our hearts ache unbearably to think that this will never be the case again. more>

A coalition of social advocates is suing New York to open the state food stamp program to all poor, documented immigrants. Two of the plaintiffs---73-year-old Brooklyn residents Yankel and Vera Teitelman, are immigrants from Ukraine and Holocaust survivors. The Teitelmans receive welfare, but live on food donated by charitable organizations, as do most of the plaintiffs named. more>

“I could never say ‘I’m Russian,’ or anything close to it. But now I can say with pride, in Hebrew, ‘I’m Israeli, and I live in America,’” said one of five Russian Jews, who moved to the United States from Israel and reflected on adjustment and belonging in all three places. more>

Despite the management’s and board of directors’ efforts, the tenants of the subsidized co-op Warbass in South Brooklyn, overwhelmingly rejected privatizing the co-op. Further, the tenants, Russian-speaking Social Security recipients and low-income American senior citizens worked to defeat the privatization measure, refused to even explore privatizing Warbass. more>

It?s widely believed that only ignoramuses, loafers and the unsuccessful return to their parents? empty nest after college. The last census, however, shows that this stereotype needs correcting. more>

Today, Jewish community activists from Rego Park, Forest Hills, and Lefrak City are alarmed because police have begun arresting no small number of young people from the Bukharian Jewish and Georgian Jewish communities—primarily children from successful and well-established families. more>

More than 100 activists, defending of the interests of welfare recipients, arrived in Washington in early February. Congress must revisit the 1996 “Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act” by September. Some legislators were supportive…and some told them to “learn English.” more>