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Food pantry near Temple Beth Emeth in Ann Arbor where you can bring food and other goods for people in need to use. In Hebrew school we often had drives to bring canned food, especially around Rosh Hashanah and Sukkot.

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Natalie-Aleph institute(support for Jewish members of the USA Armed Forces)  https://aleph-institute.org/wp/programs/military-program/ 

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Natalie-Aleph institute(support for Jewish members of the USA Armed Forces)  https://aleph-institute.org/wp/programs/military-program/ 

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It is an institution that services to the Jewish community in the Armed Forces. It provides religious and educational materials for military personnel and their families.They provide prayer books, religions articles, traveling Torah scrolls, holiday services and more…

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Operation Enduring Traditions

Aleph established 'Operation Enduring Traditions' to service the unique needs of Jewish members of the United States Armed Forces stationed worldwide. Aleph's military program is the nation's largest provider of religious and educational materials to Jewish military personnel and their families.

Providing prayer books, tefillin, religious articles

Kosher food and care packages

Megillah Readings

Holiday Provisions

Traveling Torah scrolls

High Holiday Services

Passover Services and Seder items

Chaplain and military personnel Shabbat retreat and training

Torah study correspondence courses

Accredited volunteer rabbis

Holiday programs for 2,000 Jewish military personnel around the globe

Educational and religious materials, including National Liberator magazines, books, instructional-inspirational videos, prayer and Shabbat items and Jewish calendar

Support and correspondence with military personnel and chaplaincy services

Aleph House (Aleph Military Location)

Military chaplaincy training and support and endorsements

Religious and medical rights advocacy and facilitation

The Enduring Traditions Program ensures the free exercise of religion guaranteed under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution for Jews serving in the United States Armed Forces. Away from home and community, Jews in uniform are often challenged by not having the resources available to be able to study about and observe Torah and Mitzvot. A connection with their Jewish observances, traditions and prayers offers them a sense of family and community.

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Aleph established 'Operation Enduring Traditions' to service the unique needs of Jewish members of the United States Armed Forces stationed worldwide. Aleph's military program is the nation's largest provider of religious and educational materials to Jewish military personnel and their families.

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Is a non-profit organization which gives certifications to restaurants for conforming to “kosher” rules that incorporate good employment and customer standards.

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Mazon is a Jewish organization inspired by the Jewish value of Tikkum Olam. This organization recieves support from the Jewish community in order to try and confront hunger's root causes and effectively end hunger in every community.

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Advocacy is the Cornerstone of Our Strategy

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Through advocacy, education and strategic partnerships, we take action to impact the lives of millions of people who struggle with hunger. Learn More

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The Torah and Jewish tradition are explicit in commanding that we feed the hungry. "And when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap all the way to the edges of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger.
​The Talmud explains that each Jewish community must establish a public fund to provide food for the hungry.
Claire

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Provides strong Jewish role models for children and provide them with home-cooked meals made of entirely fresh ingredients.

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Protecting our employees, volunteers and community remain our priority during the extended COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. Please be assured JewishCare and Burger Centre are still operating to ensure our community remain supported with the following key activities:

* All essential services continue to be provided.
* Virtual programs - contact us to find out what's on this week!
* Financial assistance support - for those experiencing financial distress.
* Call2Connect - enjoy a chat with one of our volunteers regularly.

JewishCare encourages our community to follow NSW Health advice to keep us all safe. The latest COVID-19 rules can be found at www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules.

Please contact us on 1300 133 660 or hello@jewishcare.com.au with any queries and to find out what's on.
"I don't know what we would do without JewishCare. They are so caring and efficient as well as being flexible."
Stella Wolfgang's daughter Maryla
"As our needs have increased so has JewishCare's help. Without JewishCare's wonderful caring staff we would be in a home for the aged for sure."
Charles Solomon

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Protecting our employees, volunteers and community remain our priority during the extended COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. Please be assured JewishCare and Burger Centre are still operating to ensure our community remain supported with the following key activities: * All essential services continue to be provided.

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MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger is a national organization that is fighting to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in The United States and Israel

They advance policy solutions that confront hunger's root causes, particularly for populations and problems that have been previously overlooked or ignored including hunger among military families, veterans, single mothers, Native Americans, and LGBTQ seniors.

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Advocacy is the Cornerstone of Our Strategy

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Through advocacy, education and strategic partnerships, we take action to impact the lives of millions of people who struggle with hunger. Learn More

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This Jewish climate inititive is all about combating the affects of global warming. The are a non-profit organization that does projects around th world, like planting trees and getting more renewable energy avalible.

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The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development | Uniting for a Sustainable Future

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Climate change is both a global crisis and an immense opportunity. It challenges us all to live better and walk more wisely and responsibly on the Earth. Jewish Climate Initiative mobilizes the wisdom of Jewish teaching and the collective passion and ingenuity of the Jewish people to inspire a vision for the future that matches the magnitude of the challenge.

Jewish Climate Initiative, is a not-for-profit organization created for the purposes of Tikkun Olam - literally "Repairing the World" in Hebrew - by providing a Jewish response to the climate change crisis that threatens the ecosystems of our planet during our lifetimes and the lives of our children.

We believe that the Jewish People has an urgent obligation and unique contribution to global action towards averting the threats of climate change in three critical areas:

Ethics: The ethical and spiritual wellsprings of Jewish tradition must now be plumbed anew for guidance for the planet as a whole.

Policy and Activism: Our long experience of passionate activism to improve the world needs to be directed at the critical challenge of climate change.

Science and Technology: We must apply our skills in technology development and commercialization to those fields that need to be advanced in order to reverse the potentially dire effects of climate change.

Jewish Climate Initiative will be a leading catalyst for development of effective responses to the global climate crisis through the promotion of innovative science, technology and ethical leadership.

In so doing, we will stimulate Israel and the Jewish people to play their full role in humanity's efforts to ensure a stable future climate for our children.
Jewish Climate Initiative is a branch of The Interfaith Center For Sustainable Development.
You can help fund our innovative work in interfaith environmental advocacy, education, and action via the options below. Matching gift programs, challenge grants, or corporate sponsorship can also be arranged. The Center is fiscally sponsored by Jumpstart, a US 501(c)3 organization based in Los Angeles.

All contributions made to The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development through Jumpstart are tax- deductible in the United States to the extent allowable by the Internal Revenue Service.
Donate by check:
Checks should be made payable to Jewish Jumpstart, with "for the benefit of The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development" in the memo field. Checks may be mailed to: Jumpstart, 1801 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 210, Los Angeles, CA 90067-5904
Donate online:
Donate through wire transfer:
Donations and grants to The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development may wired directly to Jewish Jumpstart via Jewish Jumpstart's bank:

1st Century Bank
1875 Century Park East, Suite 1400
Los Angeles, CA 90067
310-270-9500

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Jewish Climate Initiative | Global Climate Crisis | The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development

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Climate change is both a global crisis and an immense opportunity. It challenges us all to live better and walk more wisely and responsibly on the Earth. Jewish Climate Initiative mobilizes the wisdom of Jewish teaching and the collective passion and ingenuity of the Jewish people to inspire a vision for the future that matches the magnitude of the challenge.

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Jewish Youth for Community Action is a youth-led organization that empowers Jewish youth to take action for social justice through innovative leadership development, community organizing and education.  JYCA continues to create a safe space for youth to connect to their own identity in a way that is meaningful to them and to build a community based on shared values ranging from social and racial justice, LGBTQIA+ rights, to environmental advocacy and prison abolition.

Sophia Marr

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PROGRAMS

JYCA's programming is created and led by youth and focuses on empowering youth to work towards progressive social change within a framework of Jewish values. We run our cohort programs LGiT and OG in the East Bay and on the Peninsula throughout the school year, and we have year round programming for Jews of Color, Sephardi, and Mizrahi youth in JAM.

Donate

Do you want a strong and vibrant Jewish left for many years to come? Do you want to support politicized youth to learn community organizing skills and take action for social justice? Give to JYCA today.

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JYCA's programming is created and led by youth and focuses on empowering youth to work towards progressive social change within a framework of Jewish values. We run our cohort programs LGiT and OG in the East Bay and on the Peninsula throughout the school year, and we have year round programming for Jews of Color, Sephardi, and Mizrahi youth in JAM.

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Bikur Cholim of Detroit Georgia Fletcher

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Bikur Cholim of Detroit Georgia Fletcher

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Bikur Cholim of Detroit is dedicated to supporting individuals and families in our community who are experiencing medical challenges as well as supporting elderly, homebound, and isolated individuals

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Bikur Cholim of Detroit is dedicated to supporting individuals and families in our community who are experiencing medical challenges as well as supporting elderly, homebound, and isolated individuals. We strive to provide easily accessible support with compassion and sensitivity.

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Bikur Cholim of Detroit is dedicated to supporting individuals and families in our community who are experiencing medical challenges as well as supporting elderly, homebound, and isolated individuals. We strive to provide easily accessible support with compassion and sensitivity.

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https://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/helping-afghan-refugees/
Recently most people in the U.S, especially the Jewish community, want to see Afghans who have worked in American offered resettlement in American, in efforts to help escape the taliban rule.

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Recently, the AP, citing results of a new poll, noted that most people in the United States want to see Afghans who worked with Americans offered resettlement in this country. Indeed, unlike many other issues, this one, helping former military translators and others struggling to escape Taliban rule, has support across political divides.

That sentiment is borne out in the work of several organizations close to home, including one Conservative synagogue in Rockland County. Shir Shalom in Nanuet (at the former home of the Nanuet Hebrew Center) became involved in the relief effort "when I received an email from a board member whose wife is involved in social action," the synagogue's co-president, Jeff Schragenheim of Nanuet, said.

Before the union of the Montebello Jewish Center and the Nanuet Hebrew Center - of which Shir Shalom is the offspring - "The Montebello Jewish Center had a social action committee," he said. "We wanted it back up and running."

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The email in question originated with Holly Fink, the head of the Westchester Jewish Coalition for Immigration, and included a list of supplies urgently needed by Afghan refugees. It explained that the WJCI was working with UJA-Federation of New York to help coordinate the collection of supplies for newly arrived refugees at Fort Dix and McGuire Air Force Base, which are side by side in South Jersey.

Other organizations, both Jewish and non-Jewish, joined the effort; they include the JCC Mid-Westchester in New Rochelle and the Shames JCC on the Hudson in Tarrytown as well as the Afya Foundation in Yonkers and the San Francisco-based Upwardly Global, which has a local office. About 30 synagogues participated, either as collection sites or through internal drives. While Shir Shalom's name did not appear on the original flyer, "our media maven was able to squeeze our name in at the bottom," Mr. Schragenheim said.

The supplies sought included new or gently used winter coats, shoes, strollers for infants up to one year old, women's handbags with long straps, backpacks, razors, and bottles of shampoo. They could be donated directly or bought through an Amazon wish list. The drive ended on October 10. On October 11, volunteers sorted and packed up items to go to the military bases. On October 12, "extra-strong volunteers" were recruited to put the boxes on the truck.

After receiving the email, "We all agreed it was a good idea," Mr. Schragenheim said. "The refugees at the bases are not equipped yet. We have to get them the things they need. I gave the information to Bruce Pollack, our social media coordinator, and we also decided to get our youth involved," specifically, to bring in the youngsters at the end of the drive to sort the collected items.

His synagogue has several ongoing chesed projects, including a shoe drive run by the sisterhood and a food collection for a local pantry. "We decided that when we merged, we would continue to observe these obligations," Mr. Schragenheim said.

As the collection ended, Shir Shalom "had collected around six bags of jackets, backpacks, and shoes," Mr. Schragenheim said. He also knew that many congregants had made their contributions through the Amazon site. "It's heartwarming that we're getting so much," he said. As a new congregation - the consolidation took place July 1 - "it's our first opportunity to do something, and we're going to do a lot more. There's a core of interested people."

He also noted the synagogue's rabbi, Paul Kurland, appealed for contributions during a Shabbat sermon, and that its USY board adopted the drive as the year's first social action tikkun olam project.

"Any act of charity makes you feel good," Mr. Schragenheim said. "It's heartwarming to help your fellow man. When you give of yourself, it makes you feel good." In effect, then, giving to others is a "selfish" feeling, and "we should be as selfish as we can, giving as much as we can. Giving of yourself to others is the true meaning of charity."

While Bergen County Jewish organizations have not yet engaged in active efforts to help the new refugees, Teaneck's Congregation Beth Sholom, which helped resettle an Afghan family several years ago, is exploring how the synagogue can help those who arrived recently. Synagogue leaders plan to talk to HIAS (the organization formerly known as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) and the International Rescue Committee to see how the shul can best help.

Meanwhile, Derek Sands, Bergen County's communications director, said that Leslie Maltz, the Bergen County Project Linus chapter coordinator, has asked the county for logistical help in getting blankets to Fort Dix. Project Linus volunteers, known as "blanketeers," provide new washable handmade blankets to be given as gifts to seriously ill and traumatized newborns through 18-year-olds.

Ms. Fink explained her organization's commitment to refugees by noting that "As Jews, we too, were once refugees. We know what it is like to flee for our lives because of anti-Semitism and genocide. We also understand the importance of keeping our families together and ensuring their safety." Afghan refugees, she said, "have come America with few belongings, lacking knowledge of the English language, possessing a slate of different customs and traditions.

"We help Afghan refugees because not only do they deserve our help after serving as allies and protecting our country, but because they need our help in restarting their lives. This is what our parents, our grandparents, and our great-grandparents were once forced to do. The Talmud states that 'He who saves one life saves the world.'

"Knowing that we are keeping one child warmer this winter by providing a winter coat or pair of shoes from our collection is just one small step we can take to ensure the warm welcome our allies and the Afghan women and children who have been living in fear deserve."

Alison Millan, who oversees operations for the International Rescue Committee's New Jersey resettlement office, said that the group is still assessing the best ways for faith communities to support Afghan arrivals, but also is working to "collate expressions of community interest. We anticipate community co-sponsorship may be of interest to some members of the Jewish community," she said in an email. "We should have more public information on this option available in the coming weeks."

The IRC invites individual participation in a variety of ways. For example, the organization partners with Airbnb for temporary housing of refugees and suggests that those with space to host a refugee family sign up with Airbnb's Open Homes program (www.airbnb.org/refugees). The group also has a formal volunteer application for people who wish to become IRC volunteers for at least six months
( rescueglobal.secure.force.com/volunteer/ ) People who are interested in short-term paid positions to support processing of Afghans at the U.S. government facility in Elizabeth can apply; google "IRC Afghan Evacuee Operations Assistant."

In the meantime, "cash donations or leads on affordable housing are most helpful to allow us to quickly and effectively respond to the needs of newly arriving families."

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Recently, the AP, citing results of a new poll, noted that most people in the United States want to see Afghans who worked with Americans offered resettlement in this country. Indeed, unlike many other issues, this one, helping former military translators and others struggling to escape Taliban rule, has support across political divides.

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https://www.templesanjose.org/tikkunolam

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Temple Emanu-El Tikkun Olam Committee Mission Statement:

A basic principle of our faith is Tikkun Olam, repairing the world through mitzvot, tzedakah, and g'milut hasadim, values deeply rooted in Jewish traditions. To assist our Temple Emanu-El family to work together in carrying out this obligation, the Tikkun Olam Committee coordinates Temple activities concerning Social Action and Social Justice. Social Action activities plan and carry out the mitzvot and charitable actions that help and assist those in need in our community. Social Justice activities work to address issues related to the root causes in our society that lead to the need for charity and assistance by trying to change the political environment that fosters disadvantages within our community.

Although the committee may be relatively small, we are making big plans based on our motto taken from Margaret Mead, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Our catchphrase comes from Pirkei Avot, "Rabbi Tarfon said: 'It is not incumbent upon you to finish the task. Yet, you are not free to desist from it.'" It all goes to prove that we can and must take action to improve our community for the betterment of us all.

The committee is composed of Temple Emanu-El members who volunteer their time and efforts to reach out to the congregation, engage their interests and lead their participation in our activities, to successfully achieve our goals. Some of our acts of Tikkun Olam at the Temple include: food drives, winter clothing collections, participation in Mitzvah Day, sponsoring Shabbat Services and other programs that help the hungry, the homeless and the oppressed and advocate for social change. The committee has listened to our members and has identified some issues of interest to the congregation that can be pursued in order to lead to a betterment of our Temple and our community.

Social justice actions at Temple Emanu-El are implemented with the help of the organization People Acting in Community Together (PACT). PACT is an inter-faith, grassroots organization of over 20 congregations that empowers everyday people to create a more just community. Through PACT, people from different ethnic, religious and socio-economic backgrounds learn to work together to try to solve some of the pervasive social problems of our day. By way of examples of actions, PACT members have worked to resolve failing public schools, create affordable housing, provide low cost health care and improve safety in our neighborhoods.

We encourage all members to participate in Tikkun Olam. If you are interested and would like to help with this interesting and valuable work, please contact the Chair of the committee at to@templesanjose.com or call the Temple Office at (408) 292-0939.

for more information on upcoming committee initiatives at Tikkin Olam Committee:
Do you want to make the world a better place? Interested in social justice issues or environmental issues? Please consider joining the TikkunOlam Committee. There are many ways to get involved. Among other things, we will be working with the Religious Action Committee and the Center for Common Ground to help fight voter suppression and increase voter turnout. One easy action you can take is to fill out the voter pledge card here: rac.org/pledge. We are hoping to get 100% of our eligible congregants to pledge to vote. Interested in more actions? Join the book club listed below, and reach out to Marci Gerston marci.gerston@gmail.com.
Upcoming Events Join the Religious Action Center's "Freedom to Vote" Advocacy Campaign -- Meet with Senators' Offices in Support of Voting Rights!
Senator Padilla's Office August 2 at 12 pm
Senator Feinstein's Office August 5 at 10 am

In late July/early August 2021, Reform congregations across the country will meet with U.S. Senators to encourage them to step forward in the fight to protect our sacred right to vote and our democracy.

California congregations will join together to meet virtually with
Senator Alex Padilla's Office on Monday, August 2 at 12 pm and
Senator Dianne Feinstein's Office on Thursday, August 5 at 10 am.
Please join us for one or both of these lobby meetings and show your support for voting rights!
Register for the meeting with Senator Padilla's Office August 2 at 12 pm (participants will join at 11:30 am): rac.org/Padilla-mtg

Register for the meeting with Senator Feinstein's Office August 5 at 10 am (participants will join at 9:30 am): rac.org/Feinstein-mtg

Last November, despite the pandemic and a patchwork of barriers to the ballot box across the country, more than 159 million Americans voted in the 2020 elections, the highest rates seen in over a century. However, some elected officials want to roll back this progress by creating more barriers to vote. The right to vote is fundamental in a democracy and we must ensure that elections are accessible for all.

Right now, the U.S. Senate is clearly split on the issue of freedom to vote. Now more than ever, it is time for us to take a stand as Reform Jews against the ongoing assault of voter suppression and urge our senators to fight harder to pass voting rights legislation and preserve our democracy. Please show your support by attending these calls with other California Reform Jews!

Contact Marci Gerston at marci.gerston@gmail.com with any questions.

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Social Action/Tikkun Olam - Temple Emanu-El

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Temple Emanu-El Tikkun Olam Committee Mission Statement: A basic principle of our faith is Tikkun Olam , repairing the world through mitzvot, tzedakah , and g'milut hasadim , values deeply rooted in Jewish traditions. To assist our Temple Emanu-El family to work together in carrying out this obligation, the Tikkun Olam Committee coordinates Temple activities concerning Social Action and Social Justice.

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An organization accepting donations to complete land restoration projects in Israel. Currently the big push is to get jews to donate about 20 dollars to plant trees. 🌳
Morgan

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JNF is a not-for-profit organization that gives all generations of Jews a unique voice in building a prosperous future for the land of Israel and its people.

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USY is USCJ’s youth movement for Conservative Jewish teens across North America. For more than 60 years, USY has taught young Jews the values and skills they need to become exceptional leaders in their religious and secular communities.

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United Synagogue Youth | Youth Group and Summer Trips for Jewish Teens

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Constant Contact Use. Please leave this field blank.

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About USY

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COEJL is a Jewish organization dedicated to helping better the environment and the earth through activism. They are focused on sustainability and conserving our earth's resources.

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COALITION ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND JEWISH LIFE

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COEJL partners with the full spectrum of national Jewish organizations to integrate Jewish values of environmental stewardship into Jewish life

COEJL supports synagogues in bringing environmental education and opportunities for environmental action to Jewish families and individuals
​

COEJL activates Jewish institutions, local programs, and individuals to fight for environmental protection efforts and enact change

Participate

COEJL participates in inter-religious and civic coalitions to protect the environment, public health, and our common future

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COALITION ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND JEWISH LIFE

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COEJL partners with the full spectrum of national Jewish organizations to integrate Jewish values of environmental stewardship into Jewish life COEJL supports synagogues in bringing environmental education and opportunities for environmental action to Jewish families and individuals​ COEJL activates Jewish institutions, local programs, and individuals to fight for environmental protection efforts and enact change COEJL participates in inter-religious and civic coalitions to protect the environment, public health, and our common future

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Jewish Family Service of Metro Detroit - Delaney Christy

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Jewish Family Service of Metro Detroit - Delaney Christy

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The Jewish Family Service of Metro Detroit is a volunteer service organization with a "vision for a community in which no person faces life’s challenges alone." They provide "more than 30 programs," and "serve thousands of people each year with services for older adults, mental health and wellness, safety net concerns, and the Russian speaking community."

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Inspired by the wisdom and values of Jewish tradition, we strengthen lives through compassionate service.

Since 1928, we've worked toward achieving our vision for a community in which no person faces life's challenges alone. Through our more than 30 programs, we serve thousands of people each year with services for older adults, mental health and wellness, safety net concerns, and the Russian speaking community. Whether you're looking for help, want to contribute as a volunteer, or are seeking to support our work as a donor, we're so glad you're here. And we look forward to connecting with you.

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West Bloomfield Office 6555 West Maple Rd. West Bloomfield, MI 48322 248.592.2300 Oak Park Office 25900 Greenfield Rd. Oak Park, MI 48237 248.592.2300

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No Kid Hungry is an organization centered around ending childhood hunger. It works mainly within the USA providing resources to help children have access to a nutritious and delicious meal.

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Child Hunger Relief Programs | What We Do | No Kid Hungry

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No Kid Hungry supports many child hunger relief programs and works to ensure that every child in America knows of these programs and has access to healthy food.

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Expressing Judaism through social justice 

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Expressing Judaism through social justice 

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Aiming for solutions rather than temporary fixes

1. In systemic causes of poverty and injustice in our communities and country

2. questions are asked about how to create permanent solutions for the most pressing issues, including racism, poverty, hunger, and immigration, and analyze how these challenges manifest themselves across cities, communities, and institutions

3. “spot so much more of the injustice threaded through daily life, a skill that is essential for progress.”

4. https://www.jtsa.edu/hidden-page/expressing-our-judaism-through-social-justice/

Gaby

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A homeless family tries to find housing in NYC with Section 8 vouchers and is turned away illegally by landlord after landlord. An asylum seeker who identifies as LGBTQ sits in a detention center. A couple who left the Ultra-Orthodox community is trying to remake their lives with no family and no resources. A woman who was trafficked to the United States tries to break free and rebuild her life here. These are just a few of the stories we hear at Avodah daily; they are a reminder of the huge amount of work needed to repair the many cracks in our broken world.

What is the Jewish response to this type of brokenness in our society? There's so much wisdom in Jewish tradition about how every human being has inherent human dignity and worth, about how we should treat each other the way we treat ourselves, and about our ability to make a difference in the world. The Torah mentions the obligation to love the stranger 36 times, many more times than it mentions the obligation to keep kosher or observe Shabbat. Our tradition teaches that "anyone who destroys a single life is considered . . . to have destroyed a world, and anyone who saves a life is considered to have saved an entire world" (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:5).

The field of Jewish social justice is a response to the brokenness of our world and a way to bring deep Jewish wisdom to that work. For our Jewish community to fully live our justice values, we cannot hold ourselves at arm's length from those who are in need now. Our work for justice must flow from being in relationship with people who are vulnerable, from listening to the stories that they share, and from standing up for their needs.

At Avodah, a Jewish leadership development organization for young adults, we seek to connect a passion for social justice with Jewish values. Through our Jewish Service Corps program, we provide members with the opportunity to spend a year working at a nonprofit while living and learning with a group of peers. Our programs are grounded in Jewish teachings, preparing our participants to approach every situation with open hearts and minds, and to form relationships with clients, peers, and supervisors that are based on a belief that recognize the dignity and potential of all people. "Avodahniks" are then able to process their experiences with their bayit-mates (housemates) over Shabbat meals and daily interactions. Our Justice Fellowship brings together cohorts of young adults to learn about social justice through a Jewish lens as a community. Our goal is that our participants have the greatest possible direct impact on the thousands of people they work with and on the organizations they serve. In addition, our participants are transformed by their service and learning experiences into passionate and effective lifelong leaders for social change whose work for justice is rooted in and nourished by Jewish tradition.

According to the Pew Research Center's 2013 Survey of US Jews, when asked what it means to be Jewish, one of the most common answers was "working for justice/equality." We believe the Avodah model has been highly effective because of the meaningful connection it makes between Judaism and social justice. Eighty-five percent of our alumni remain in social justice work and the vast majority of members also report feeling more connected to Judaism. In addition, over the last 20 years, Avodah's 1,000+ Jewish Service Corps members have provided $20 million in staff capacity to organizations fighting issues such as chronic poverty, homelessness, hunger, sex trafficking, and gun violence.

So, how do we nurture impassioned Jewish change-makers and foster this type of Jewish expression? Here are some of the key concepts we embed in all our work:

Being proximate to suffering is fundamental. It's essential to understand why people are suffering in our society in order to create change. As Bryan Stevenson, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative, says, "When we get close, we hear things that can't be heard from afar. We see things that can't be seen. And sometimes that makes the difference between acting justly and unjustly." At Avodah, this means that our Service Corps members work with undocumented immigrants, incarcerated people, individuals and families of people who are homeless and hungry, and victims of sex trafficking.

We all have the ability to make a difference in the world. When asked what advice he had for young people, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel said, "Let them be sure that every deed counts, that every word has power, and that we can do our share to redeem the world despite all absurdities and all the frustration and all the disappointment." At Avodah, we are exposing young Jews to the many ways they can make change in the world and then helping them figure out which way they can lean in to make a difference. We are investing in creating leadership capacity and leveraging that experience into a lifelong personal and professional commitment to social change.

1. Being rooted in community makes a vital difference. Avodah's founder Rabbi David Rosenn speaks about how social change is inspired and sustained when people are a part of communities of moral courage and spiritual strength. Avodah focuses on the role of community for effective social justice work. Our Jewish Service Corps members live together in an intentional, pluralistic bayit (home) where they can discuss ideas, troubleshoot issues, forge lasting relationships through Shabbat meals and holiday celebrations, and process their work with a group of compassionate friends and housemates. Through our Justice Fellowship, we provide Jewish social justice professionals with an essential container for religious and secular learning, reflection, inspiration, and sustainability for lifelong social justice work over the long haul. As alumna Rebecca Mather says, "Intentional communities like those in Avodah give us the opportunity and challenge of living out the future we hope to build through our social justice work."

2. We need to aim for solutions rather than bandages. At Avodah, we explore the systemic causes of poverty and injustice in our communities and country. We ask deep questions about how to create permanent solutions for the most pressing issues, including racism, poverty, hunger, and immigration, and analyze how these challenges manifest themselves across cities, communities, and institutions. For example, while soup kitchens are necessary, Avodah's participants ask, "How do we create a country and a world where no human being will go hungry?" Shaul Elson, a 2018 Service Corps member, said that Avodah taught him to "spot so much more of the injustice threaded through daily life, a skill that is essential for progress."

Avodah is an example of how Jews actualize their deep understanding of the link between social issues and their Jewish expression. Through their work, they use this knowledge to guide their professional impact. At the same time, the organizations they work for benefit from the investment of hours and passion of our members. It is a win-win situation for all involved. Ultimately, we hope this model and the work of many other Jewish and social justice organizations will result in permanent and far-reaching healing in the world that recognizes the value of human dignity for all people. For now, though, it is our duty to keep trying.
Cheryl Cook is executive director of Avodah. Under her leadership, Avodah is expanding to new cities and creating innovative models for the Jewish community to help alleviate poverty in the United States. Cheryl has close to 30 years of leadership experience in the Jewish community. Cheryl is a proud alumna of the JTS/Columbia master's program.

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Expressing Our Judaism Through Social Justice in 2019 - Jewish Theological Seminary

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CHERYL COOK A homeless family tries to find housing in NYC with Section 8 vouchers and is turned away illegally by landlord after landlord. An asylum seeker who identifies as LGBTQ sits in a detention center. A couple who left the Ultra-Orthodox community is trying to remake their lives with no family and no resources.

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Tikkun Olam Makers is an international not-for-profit group that utilizes modern design and digital manufacturing to help communities and people in need

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Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM), one of the three winners of the 2019 InnoDip Award for innovative diplomacy, is a global movement of communities that creates and disseminates affordable solutions to neglected challenges of people living with disabilities, the elderly and the poor. The award, established by the Abba Eban Institute for International Diplomacy at the IDC Herzliya, will be presented at the Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference on Thursday, November 21 in Jerusalem.

CEO Edun Sela explains that "the idea of Tikun Olam - the Hebrew term for 'repairing the world - is to create communities around the world that focus on big societal challenges in their community - specifically around what we call the neglected needs of people that are not addressed by the market or the government." The elderly and the poor, he explains, frequently lack the resources or the influence to have products developed to meet their needs. Sela says that Tikun Olam Makers started from the idea that Israel, with its startup culture and mentality, can harness this type of technology and create a model that will be relevant for communities around the world. "Our signature event," notes Sela, "is a 'Make-a-thon' event, which brings together the elderly, or people with disabilities or the elderly, together with makers - engineers, programmers, designers - who work together to create an open source public domain solution. The idea is to democratize the product development process, so that anyone around the world can have access to whatever is created in Tel Aviv, in Medellin, in Kazakhstan, or any other location."

Providing a concrete example of what TOM does, Sela mentions Inbal, a wounded Israeli army war veteran, who as a result of her injuries, was no longer able to use a regular surfboard. She met with engineers at a TOM Make-a-thon event, who created a specially modified surfboard that met her needs. Thrilled, Inbal was able to resume her surfing. Tikkun Olam created the completed specifications required for replicating the project, uploaded it to its website, and now anyone may download it and create their own.

Sela cites an additional example of Noam, another IDF veteran with standard prosthetic arms, that requested an additional pair of 3-D printed, lightweight, prosthetic arms for use at home. The Tikkun Olam team successfully created them at an event held in Singapore in conjunction with the Israeli embassy. The 3-D arm design was subsequently used by others outside Israel, thus making an Israeli innovation available to anyone to download and create.

The public committee chaired by Amb. Ron Prosor chose Tikkun Olam Makers as a winner for its "innovative vision on how society should look like. They hitched technology to the basic Jewish value of tikkun olam and show that Jewish moral is relevant than ever. TOM impressed the committee by its scale of impact on people with disability every-day's life."

Gidi Grinstein, TOM founder, says, "Tikkun Olam was designed with the understanding that the stature of nations in the world in the 21st century will emanate from their contribution to humanity and from their authentic relations and experiences with local leaders around the world. We will bring the best of Israel in person to hundreds of communities around the world. With the goal of helping 250 million people, TOM will help make Israel the highest per capita contributor to humanity."

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Abba Eban Institute to award Tikkun Olam Makers for repairing the world

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Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM), one of the three winners of the 2019 InnoDip Award for innovative diplomacy, is a global movement of communities that creates and disseminates affordable solutions to neglected challenges of people living with disabilities, the elderly and the poor.

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The Jewish community fights for womens rights, voting rights, racial equality, immigration justice, and gun violence prevention.

Aleah

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Social justice, advocacy, and the concept of tikkun olam (repairing the world) are among the central tenets of Reform Judaism.

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ZAKA is a series of voluntary community emergency response teams in Israel, each operating in a police district.

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ZAKAs' founder told me that 'We save anyone who needs to be saved, and honor all people equally'. I can think of few more profound ways to define the mission not only of humanitarians, but of anyone who believes in the principles of equality, human rights, and dignity, that the UN was created to uphold.

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ZAKAs' founder told me that 'We save anyone who needs to be saved, and honor all people equally'. I can think of few more profound ways to define the mission not only of humanitarians, but of anyone who believes in the principles of equality, human rights, and dignity, that the UN was created to uphold.

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https://www.google.com/amp/s/foodtank.com/news/2020/04/18-jewish-organizations-feeding-all-who-are-hungry/amp/