The mitzvah (sacred obligation) of tzedakah obligates the members of Temple Beth-El to further justice and righteousness in our world. Temple Beth-El is proud of its involvement with and its support of the less fortunate in the greater South Bend community.
Temple Beth-El is one of the largest supporters and providers to the Little Flower Community Food Bank, and also supports several other area food banks. Throughout the year Temple members are asked to fill brown bags with non-perishable food and bring them to Temple. In addition, the food banks count on our congregation and will call throughout the year when its food supply becomes low. Over the years we have donated thousands of pounds of food for the needy in our community.
In addition, Mitzvah Day provides an opportunity for Temple members of all ages to perform acts of caring through local social agencies and community organizations. The projects we have undertaken include cleaning, painting, landscaping, furnishing, and renovating many locations in the city.
And, Temple Beth-El recently launched its Just Congregations initiative. Promoted by the Union for Reform Judaism, Just Congregations is a congregation-based community organizing program that helps build community by bringing collective power to successfully combat injustice. We have engaged our members to consider the issues of social justice that are personally important. Just Congregations further enables Temple to address these questions through internal conversations and work in powerful coalitions across lines of race, class, and faith.
Through its Rabbi, Temple is represented in the United Religious Community (URC), and other communal agencies. The Rabbi is Temple's ambassador of learning and good will at universities, clubs, and organizations throughout the area. For more information about how you can become involved in Temple's social justice activities, please contact the Temple office.
For additional information about Reform Judaism and social action, visit the Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism.
|
|
Jonathan Prosnit is a 5th year Rabbinical Student at HUC-JIR in New York. He is the student representative from HUC to the Commission on Social Action (CSA). Over 40 Hebrew Union College (HUC) students, faculty and administrators turned out in a rally to support Park... 
Last Sunday marked the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's devastating landfall on the Gulf Coast. Nearly five months ago, the Deepwater Horizon exploded, killing eleven men, beginning the release of millions of barrels of oil, and adding endless complication to the recovery and restoration process... 
The recent wave of hate crimes against American Muslims and nationwide protests against the construction of mosques is alarming to say the least. From coast to coast, mosques are being vandalized, Muslims are being attacked, and families fear for their safety. The RAC and Reform... 
It's that time of year again, fellow voters, so don your election caps and start reading! This year's 2010 midterm elections, taking place Tuesday, November 2, are sure to promise some exciting races, controversial ballot questions, and unpredictable results and we want you to be... 
|
|
|
|
|
