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In November, Marylanders were asked to vote on two critical social justice issues. Marriage equality for LGBTQ couples and tuition equity (paying in-state resident rates for higher education) were put to a popular vote. The Jewish community affirmed that we stand for equal rights and opportunities for all. This commitment resulted in victory at the polls!

• The Maryland DREAM Act enables undocumented high school graduates to pay in-state tuition for college. The bill makes it possible for all young people, regardless of their immigration status, to live out the American dream.

• The Civil Marriage Protection Act brings equality to civil marriage in Maryland and extends the freedom to marry to gay and lesbian couples, ending discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

This was a close fight. Opponents of these laws petitioned to place them both on the ballot, in effect, putting people’s basic rights up to a popular vote. Polls indicated that Marylanders were closely split on each of these critical issues. Every vote mattered. Marriage equality won by a 52.4%-47.6% margin; tuition equity won 58.9%-41.1%.

A large majority of the Jewish community supported both these measures but we continued to educate and engage both the Jewish and greater Maryland community. Our voices were crucial to winning. JUFJ mobilized the Jewish community to protect LGBTQ and immigrant rights. We worked in congregations and Jewish communities to educate and build the strength we needed to turn out voters and win in November. Every vote mattered in this election, and we organized our friends, neighbors and congregations to protect equal rights and opportunities for everyone in Maryland.