Summer 2026 Update:

I feel incredibly lucky to be where I am right now, and I truly wouldn’t have made it this far without the support, encouragement, and belief I’ve already received from so many people in my life. Thank you for helping me get to this point; it means more than I can put into words.

If you're new to me, I am currently pursuing both my law degree and my master’s, balancing a demanding academic schedule with hands-on legal experience. I recently began interning with the public defender’s office, focused on restorative justice.

And there's no rest for us online students, my new classes begin May 18th. Looking ahead, I’ll be continuing with courses like Constitutional Law, First Amendment Law, Embedded Racism in the Law, Truth and Reconciliation, Restorative Justice in Indigenous Communities, and The Rights of Nature.

There's lots of travel this summer.

Vermont - For residency! I'm in an online program, and we're required to attend in person for a certain amount of time every year.

New Orleans - I was accepted to present (three times, actually!) at https://www.nacrj.org/2026-conference/ - a session on my own work, as a member of RAIV, and with my law school. Thankfully, we've found someone to host me locally, so the cost has been greatly reduced.

Puerto Rico - This course explores the emerging legal concept known as the Rights of Nature, which considers how legal systems can recognize and protect the natural environment (and the humans part of it!) in new ways. Taught collaboratively by an environmental lawyer and curator-researcher/artist, the course brings together perspectives from law, environmental studies, and the humanities.

The financial demands of this path are very real. Tuition, books, and academic opportunities add up quickly, and that’s why I continue to ask for help. Any support I receive will go directly toward continuing my education and staying focused on this work.

If you’ve already supported me, whether financially, emotionally, or simply by encouraging me along the way, please know how deeply grateful I am. And if you’re able to contribute or share this, thank you for being part of this journey with me!

November 2025 Update

Dear Donors,

I have so many exciting updates to share with you!

This summer, I spent several weeks in Northern Ireland exploring restorative justice and healing practices. You can read more about the experience in this blog post, Bridging Divides

Since returning, I’ve been busy with several new opportunities:

I’m also honored to share that I received a scholarship from the Islamic Scholarship Fund! This generous award has made my tuition more manageable, though I still owe about $4,000 per semester.

Your financial support helps me stay focused on these meaningful projects.

Upcoming Needs

Your continued support makes the following possible:

New Orleans Conference: I’ve submitted two proposals for the 10th NARCJ Restorative Justice Conference. While my school may cover part of the cost, I’ll still need help with registration and travel.

Vermont Residency: My second residency will cost about $3,000, which includes flights and lodging.

Textbooks: As I focus more on my Master’s in Restorative Justice, I have several new textbooks to purchase (in addition to the usual law school ones)

Netanel and I are so deeply grateful for your encouragement and generosity. Many of you are mentors and friends, and your continued support means the world to me.

With gratitude,

Jamelah

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Jamelah here! I got into law school! (Vermont Graduate and Law School , to be precise)

I received an amazing scholarship, but I still need help covering books, travel to Vermont, student fees, etc.

I will keep working full-time in order to keep contributing to our home for as long as I can, and of course will budget in order to support my law career. We're hoping to save as much as we can these first two years so that I can focus on internships in my third.

Because of my full-time work, and the excellent scholarship, I thought to myself "no need to ask for help! Netanel and I can do it ourselves!"

And then I looked at my booklist.

And the cost of travel.

And just how many books were on these lists......

Everything donated will help relieve some pressure on our finances. If you know me, you know that I'm doing law school for social and transformative justice.

I fully intend on paying it forward once I've become a lawyer.

Grateful for your time,

Jamelah