Yom Kippur Justice Remarks

Larry Grossman

In Micah Chapter 6, Verse 8 it says, “And what G-d requires of you:  Only to do justice, and to love goodness, and to walk modestly with your G-d; Then will your name achieve wisdom.”

In Deuteronomy Chapter 16, verse 20 it says “Justice, justice shall you pursue, that you may thrive and occupy the land that the Lord your G-d is giving you.”

  • In 2004, a Louisville Metro Affordable Housing Trust Fund was developed.  Since then, over $110 Million has been invested, resulting in a multiplier effect of over $1 BILLION and over 5,500 new affordable housing units

  • In 2010 Ky. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Minton, Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell, and the judges of the Jeff. Co. Juvenile Court committed to support the implementation of a “restorative justice” approach in the local juvenile court as a way of reducing the “school-to-prison pipeline.

  • In 2019 JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio committed to implement whole-school restorative practices in all JCPS schools

  • In 2013, local & state health officials agreed to work together to develop a pilot project for Jefferson County with the goal of enrolling 6,000 additional children in the next 3 years in Medicaid & KCHIP.  Since then, over 60,000 children have been enrolled.

  • In 2023 there was a public apology of the Mayor and Chief of Police to the citizens of Louisville for the injustice done through the past practices of the police.

  • In 2024, 64% of all JCPS students and 79% of those students of color could NOT read at a proficient level.  New, phonics-based reading was introduced county-wide and those levels are falling.

What do all these things have in common?  They are examples of DOING Justice!  Meeting G-d’s commandment.

And how did it happen?  The only way anything significant happens…the use of power.  And there are only two sources of power in the world… money and people.

Using the example of the prophet Nehemiah, CLOUT (Citizens of Louisville Organized and United Together), an organization of 26 local religious communities spread across Metro Louisville annually holds the largest grassroots direct action in Louisville for the pursuit of Justice.  In fact, since 1991, CLOUT has brought people together from different religious denominations, different areas of the community, and different races to work together on issues of common concern.

What I read was only a partial list of those accomplishments!

AND THE WORK IS NOT DONE!

We continue to come together as a Justice Network to meet G-d’s commandment to DO JUSTICE.  

Some do this by being part of the Justice Network and coming to the 4 CLOUT wide assemblies throughout the year and bringing people with them to the Nehemiah Action. Some Justice Network Members go above and beyond and take part in research committees where they get to not only learn about what is at the root of problems locally, but be at the forefront of deciding how we as a community are going to improve it. Some people make their impact by giving 90 minutes out of their year and attending the Nehemiah Action. And many financially sustain the work. Each of these roles makes a tremendous difference in the work toward our vision for Louisville to be a city of justice where its systems assure that all people are treated fairly.

g’mar chatima tovah ("May you be sealed for goodness in the Book of Life")