I was talking to Jesi on Tuesday night and she mentioned a housing court concern. I am nosy so I asked for details:

Jesi is behind on rent for her apartment that she shares with her partner, son, and daughter. Her partner has been out of work since June, and you probably know that Jesi is a freelancer. She has lived in that apartment since 2018, and her mother, sister and niece also live in the building.

Stable housing is a human right. Right now, in this city, when the rent is always too damn high, it’s time for us to help out this important person in our lives.

Jesi is an amazingly creative person who generally makes a living as a photographer and graphic designer. You’ve probably seen her work from many a Lab/Shul event. Maybe she’s even photographed you! She’s currently doing the layout and illustrations for her father’s last book, which she hopes to sell to a publisher in early 2023.

I feel so lucky that I got to know Jesi through our Pass/Age cohort (Lab/Shul’s adult B Mitzvah program) over the past year, and so I asked her if I could host her “rent party”. This is what community is for. One of the biggest things we can do in community is support one another in times of need.

For this fundraiser, Jesi and I have set a goal that encompasses everything she needs to get up to date with her rent. She hopes to renew her lease in early 2023 so this goal for January 1st, to keep Jesi and her family in their apartment and pay as much back rent as possible, as soon as possible. Any amount you can contribute is welcomed.

This is that time of year that we all get requests for donations, so please consider including this opportunity for tzedakah, community care, and mutual aid, knowing you’ll be supporting this beloved artist and friend, Jesi Kelley.

Please give generously, and share with anyone you’d like.