February 19: Session is underway, and upcoming events
The 2026 Minnesota Legislative session is officially underway. Legislators convened for the first time since the assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, the murder of her husband, as well as the shooting of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. As we navigate the start of this session, we hold former Speaker Hortman’s legacy as a powerful reminder that progress is possible even in divided times. With the Minnesota House evenly split, we urge our leaders to look past the routine political division and lead with intentional reflection and a unified plan for a Minnesota where everyone thrives. We enter this year with a message of hope. We believe that when our policymakers prioritize the dignity of everyone, they can help create a future that secures rights for all and strengthens our communities.
Effective advocacy starts at home. As the session takes shape, let your legislators know what your values are and who they represent. Not sure who is casting votes on your behalf? Find Your Representative & Senator Here
Come watch “Never Rarely Sometimes Always“, a powerful film that illuminates the challenges and struggles connected with abortion access while celebrating friendship and sisterhood.
After the film, we’ll make posters for the Reproductive Lobby Day on March 23rd, at the Capitol, and write postcards that support abortion providers.
This is a chance to connect and build community with others who deeply care about reproductive justice as we prepare to stand together at the State Capitol.
Come as you are, bring a friend, and be a part of the action. Snacks provided!
Sunday March 15th 12-3pm
Minnesota JCC Capp Center
1375 St Paul Ave. St Paul, MN 55116
MN ERA Needs YOU!
The ERA bill has a confirmed hearing in the Senate Judiciary & Public Safety Committee, chaired by Senator Ron Latz, on Monday February, 23rd.
Minnesotans for the ERA Coalition wants a strong in-person showing at the hearing. Please attend if you can, and bring your friends, colleagues, neighbors, and equal rights comrades! Plan to be present be present from about 12:30/1-3pm.
More information about the Senate schedule here.
For more information about parking at the Capitol, click here.
Minnesota Building Families Coalition
We are hosting a Rally to end our Infertility Justice Advocacy Day and we’d love for you to join us for that part of the day.
Rally for Infertility Justice
Monday, February 23, 2026
3:15-4:00 PM
The Routunda at the MN State Capitol, St. Paul, MN
If you’ve never been to a Rally before, no worries! We are happy to teach you (it’s SUPER easy).
1. Show up wearing orange.
2. Bring a sign (or come early and make one there – we will have stuff)
3. Join the chants, meet new friends, listen to powerful stories and speakers.
4. Make noise to show our lawmakers that fertility care matters to Minnesota families.
It’s that simple!
To join us, please use the link below to register. This is so we can communicate any last-minute changes if they come up and make sure you have all the details for parking, etc.
Join us at the JCC for an intimate and empowering International Women’s Day screening featuring two extraordinary documentaries that honor women’s bodies, resilience, and collective strength. From the fitting rooms of a beloved bra shop in Jaffa to the open waters paddled by breast cancer survivors in Israel, this program celebrates vulnerability as power, humor as healing, and community as lifeline. Together, Full Support and Paddling for Life offer moving, deeply human portraits of women supporting one another through life’s most tender and transformative moments.
Following the screening, guests are warmly invited to stay for a facilitated time of sharing and conversation—an opportunity to reflect, connect, and be in community with one another in the spirit of International Women’s Day.
Sunday March 8th 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Sabes Center 4330 S. Cedar Lake Road Minneapolis, MN 55416
OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY • COST: $10
Please join Women Connect & Next Chapter for an event with Judith Kahn, Interim Director of NCJW MN, for an interactive workshop identifying our core values.
Wednesday, March 11, from 6:30-8 p.m.
JFCS – 5905 Golden Valley Rd, Golden Valley
Join with other women in their 40s, 50s, and 60s to build community and form connections. Together we will learn, grow, and find belonging. We look forward to a meaningful evening together!
*Note new MN ERA Rally date: March 12th at 10 AM
UNRESTRICT Minnesota Lobby Day Registration Open!
As Minnesota continues to resist and seek justice amidst federal occupation, UnRestrict Minnesota is working to offer opportunities for people to come together and advocate for the world they want to see.
Reproductive Freedom Lobby Day on Monday, March 23, 10 AM – 3 PM.
At Lobby Day, you will:
– Get training and resources to support your advocacy skills.
– Meet with your state lawmakers to push for reproductive rights, health, and justice legislation in our state.
– Hear from movement leaders at a Rally in the Capitol Rotunda at 1:30 PM.
Resources
Below are resources to familiarize yourself with, as well as connections to community organizations that are providing important training opportunities.
Stand with Minnesota – an updated directory of places to donate
MONARCA Training – rapid response line for peaceful demonstration; training to be an “upstander”
ACLU Immigrant Rights – promote, protect immigrant rights
MIRAC Know Your Rights Video – know your rights video and option to request training
Immigrant Defense Network Tools for Community Defense – has a handbook on being a constitutional observer
COPAL – Comunidades Organizando El Poder Y La Acción Latina
UNIDOS-MN – Builds power with Minnesota’s working families to advance social, racial and economic justice for all
Immigration Legal Resource Center – Red Cards. Cards you can print to keep so that you know your rights.
Do you know of anyone who has signed up for our emails but have had trouble receiving them or finding it in their inbox? Please encourage them to add “info@ncjwmpls.org” to their email contacts. This should help direct our newsletters to their inbox.
You can find an archive of our newsletters on our website HERE
As well as an archive of Courts Matter updates online HERE
We know these are impossibly heavy and uncertain times. May we draw strength from one another and find healing through connection and action. As our tradition teaches, caring for each other is how we endure, and how we move forward together.
5905 Golden Valley Road, Suite 1
Golden Valley, MN 55422
(952)-922-7900 | www.ncjwmn.org