Adath Emanu-El is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism

The Social Action/Social Justice Committee

 

The Adath Emanu- El Social Action/Social Justice Committee (Committee), with support from the entire congregation and leadership, works together to advance the values of Tikkun Olam, or repairing the world. We face an array of challenges: racial injustice, climate change, immigration, economic inequities, anti-Semitism and much more. As a Reform Jewish congregation, our Jewish values guide us to advance the fundamental ideals of equity, human rights, justice and compassion.

 

As such, the Committee supports a range of social action issues and coordinates community responses in Burlington and Camden counties with a focus on poverty, food insecurity and homelessness. We also partner with the Religious Action Center-NJ (RAC-NJ) in non-partisan activities in support of democracy and current social justice issues to lobby government at all levels. Joining this Committee can provide you and your family with opportunities for:

 

Acts of Kindness (G’milut Chassadim) in support of:

• St. Paul’s Church, a local Homeless Outreach Program, by providing in-person help on the fourth Sunday of every month (an interfaith effort and donating peanut butter sandwiches to supplement participant’s meals throughout the week.

• Jewish Children and Family Services (JCFS) Food Pantry through its monthly collections and holiday drives

• Interfaith Homeless Outreach Council (IHOC) with donations of personal care items during its annual “Shoe Box” campaign

• Ad-hoc collections as needed to benefit a range of social service agencies helping a variety of communities, ranging from the local homeless to refugee populations.

 

Justice/Advocacy (Tzedek,Tzedek,Tirdof) in support of:

• the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in New Jersey (RAC-NJ) in which we participate in non-partisan activities to support democracy and give voice to many of the social justice issues we currently face in our lives.

• the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society (HAIS) by raising awareness of the current issues on immigration.

 

Partnership (Shutafut) in support of:

• work within our Adath community by partnering with Sisterhood, Men’s club, and AEFTY to promote social projects.

• the Adath Emanu-El Green Team by participating in projects to foster environmental responsibility.

• Our local synagogue neighbors at Beth Tikvah and Kol Ami through combined advocacy and programming.

• partnerships with other faith-based community organizations to provide needed services

 

Education (Chinuch) in support of:

• special programming to learn more about issues relevant to current social justice concerns like reproductive rights and gender inclusivity on the national and state levels.

 

The Committee is about our Adath congregation coming together to tackle civic issues which are important to all of us. Please join us! We meet virtually the third Monday of each month at 7:00 pm. We are always looking for new members and new ideas. For more information, please contact Fran Green at fpgreen@comcast.net