My mother was a first-generation American who raised me to give back to the community. I am honored to be one of the two representatives from the National Association of Temple Administrators (NATA) on The Commission on Social Action (CSA) of Reform Judaism. The CSA is a joint commission of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the Union for Reform Judaism and its affiliates (WRJ, MRJ, NFTY, HUC-JIR, ARZA, etc.). The CSA and the RAC inspire and implement the social justice policy positions of the Union for Reform Judaism and Central Conference of American Rabbis (CCAR). Working alongside these impactful groups, I hope to gain renewed enthusiasm and a clearer sense of purpose that will impact the present as well as future generations.
The CSA functions as a deliberative, policy-development and leadership body, bringing the vision of Reform Judaism to issues of social justice. The CSA provides governance for itself and the Religious Action Center (RAC). The CSA is involved with social justice education, programming, advocacy, and leadership development within the congregations and affiliates of the Reform Movement. Its members engage congregations and constituencies to advocate at the federal, state and local levels for the positions which the CSA and/or the URJ and the CCAR have adopted. The goal of this work is to empower the Reform Movement to realize its social justice agenda.
Temple Beth- El's (TBE) commitment to social justice is strong. Our Social Justice Initiative Committee affords many opportunities for congregants to fulfill the Jewish mandate for social justice. This opportunity will enhance our efforts as a community. Activities serve the dual purpose of tikkun olum (repairing the world) and increasing awareness and understanding of the social and economic injustices in the community, focusing on hunger, especially among children, and on antiracism efforts through a combination of direct action and the pursuit of systemic change. This involves partnering with community organizations and leaders engaged in these efforts. Recent events have included a panel on childhood hunger, our annual Food Drive at the High Holy Days to benefit food-insecure neighbors in the greater Providence area, meal packaging in the spring, and guided discussions exploring how we can respond to racism at both a personal and institutional level. The PRIDE team is an integral part of the Social Justice Initiative and its activities support LGBTQIA members and their advocates/allies throughout our congregation.
I beleive this opportunity will enhance our efforts as a community and I look forward to this journey of social action and dedication to our mission of tikkun olam. Shabbat Shalom! Judy
Services
Minyan will be online ONLY until further notice.
Yehuda Neeman David Reine David Sock Morris Waitsman Mitchelle Bruce Luber Ira Silverman Stanley Smith Lenore Rakatansky Lawrence Hoffman Sherry Royall Gladys H. Jacober
Dr. Henry Gewirtz Janet Engelhart Gutterman Melvyn Blake Joan Adler Mark Bernie Levine Anna Cohen Haberman Herman Haberman Donald David Jaffa Jean Moverman Jaffa Sloan Myles Jaffa Farrel A. Jaffa
YIZKOR ELOHIM The Congregation joins in mourning the death of
Sheldon Licht Jan Marc Orenstein Marion "Toby" Yale Matthew Willi Orenstein
jj
Temple Beth-El 70 Orchard Ave Providence, RI 02906 401.331.6070
