WFVJ - About Us

about US

We are congregations, social justice committees, clergy, religious leaders, supporters, and people of faith. We come from many faith traditions all over the state of Wisconsin.

We join together to educate ourselves and our communities about the important issues facing our state and to advocate for policies and programs that address the root causes of poverty, hunger, homelessness, and economic injustice. We do this because our faith traditions teach us that it is our duty to see to the needs of all people and work toward a more equitable society.

our mission

The mission of Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice is to draw on the wisdom, courage, and strength of our various faith traditions to advance the common good. As progressive people of faith committed to crossing religious boundaries, we uphold the dignity of all human beings. We lift the voices of those who are underserved and marginalized, through advocacy, education, and partnership.

WFVJ Annual Reports

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EX officio

Rabbi Bonnie Margulis

Bio

wifaithvoices4justice@gmail.com
608-513-7121
Reform Judaism

BOARD MEMBERS 2019-2021

Reverend Larry Sexe – PRESIDENT
Retired ELCA pastor
Deerfield, WI 53531
ELCA

Vicki Berenson - SECRETARY
Madison Friends Meeting
Madison, WI
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)

Matthew S. Nicgorski, CPA - TREASURER
Milwaukee WI

Linda Ketcham
Just Dane
Madison, WI
UCC

Rabbi Marc Berkson
Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun
River Hills, Wisconsin
Reform Judaism

Rev. Nick Utphall
Madison Christian Community
Madison, WI
ELCA

Professor Charles Cohen
Madison, WI
Reform Judaism

Adam Clausen
Senior Leader
Life Center Madison
Madison, WI
Non-Denominational Christian

Sean Samis
Project Manager
Marquette University
Non-believer

Reverend Selena Fox
Senior minister and High Priestess
Circle Sanctuary
Barneveld, WI
Nature Spirituality

WE BELIEVE

Every human being is made in the image of God and worthy of respect and dignity.

We should live by a social contract which calls upon both individuals and the state to work as partners to eradicate poverty, hunger, and homelessness.
Access to quality education, housing, and affordable health care are human rights, not privileges.
People of different faiths can and should work together as a community to advance the common good.

signature programs

Dane Sanctuary Coalition
Dignity at Work Coalition
Interfaith Community Building Initative
Moving from Charity to Justice Workshop
Poverty Simulation
The Minimum Wage Challenge
Wisconsin Interfaith Voter Engagement Campaign

partners

Common Cause Wisconsin
Declaration for American Democracy
Wisconsin Council of Churches
Worker Justice Wisconsin

member organizations

"A voice for justice" award

Beginning in 2014, Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice (WFVJ) will annually award a Wisconsin resident or organization with the Voice for Justice Award. The award will go to an individual or organization that, in the judgment of a select committee of WFVJ board and at large members, has demonstrated a commitment to their faith in the struggle for achieving the goals of the WFVJ. The award will be given to the recipient at the annual meeting of the WFVJ.

These shall be the criteria for determining the award winner:

The person or organization shall have been nominated by a member of WFVJ.
The person or organization shall have demonstrated a commitment to their faith tradition in the work of human development and betterment.
The person or organization shall have worked for the benefit of the general public of Wisconsin.
The person or organization shall have employed the spirit of the values enunciated in the goals and mission of the WFVJ

List past award recipients

2014: Dane County Exec Joe Parisi
2015: Peter Bakken, Justice and Witness Coordinator, Wisconsin Council of Churches and Christine Thompson, Executive Director, PEPartnership Personal Essentials Pantry
2016: Reverend Steve Jerbi, All People’s Church, Milwaukee
2017: Linda Ketcham, Executive Director, Madison Area Urban Ministry
2018: Community Immigration Law Center
2018: Sergio Gonzalez, professor of Latinx history and organizer for the Dane Sanctuary Coalition
2019: Rep. Jocasta Zamarippa, Wisconsin State Assembly member
2020: Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes
2021: Professor Patty Loew, Native American scholar, journalist, author, and activist