March 14, 2010   28 Adar 5770
Temple Beth Am, Seattle, WA
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The Social Action Committee (SAC) gives members the opportunity to put into action their Jewish values of tikkun olam (repairing the world), Gemilut Chasidim (loving kindness), and tzedek (justice). The SAC welcomes all Temple members to be involved in their own way: giving time or money; volunteering their talents; serving as social justice educators and advocates.

SAC goals include:

  • Raising consciousness among congregation members, both adult and youth, concerning social and political issues;
  • Offering congregation members a menu of projects and programs for their action and support, including activities developed at Temple Beth Am and others originated in the broader community;
  • Building bridges between different movements of Judaism and between Judaism and different faiths in order to work toward social justice;
  • Working toward the incorporation of tikkun olam values and activities as a religious expression by the Temple Beth Am community.

Over Temple Beth Am’s history, members have demonstrated their devotion to justice in a broad spectrum of activities, including civil rights advocacy, support for fair treatment of workers, and working toward alleviating the effects of poverty.

This year, two primary issues will be our focus:

Poverty and Wealth We will explore issues such as housing, employment, income disparity and hunger in Washington and what we as Jews need to know, and do on these issues.
The Environment: Global Climate Change. Join our Green Team. We will plan to advocate for changes in our own Temple policies and those of our government and finally to act individually and communally to prevent the damaging effects of climate change on our precious earth.

In addition, SAC will collaborate with other organizations and groups within Temple Beth Am to address homelessness through Homeless to Renter (H2R) and various hands-on meal programs including Youth Care Orion Center, University District Teen Feed Program, Angeline?s Center for Homeless Women, as well as advocacy with the Puget Sound Jewish Coalition on Homelessness, immigration reform and the New Sanctuary Movement, advocacy and education working in community coalition to end the crisis in Darfur, Sudan and more. We are also organizing Temple Beth Am as a Just Congregation.

Learn more about Mitzvah Opportunities.

We invite you to join us. Contact SAC Chair Susan Picard or Community Coordinator Alysa Rosen, 206-525-0915 x 210, to find out more.

Tzedek, Tzedek, tirdof – justice, justice you shall pursue.

Just Congregations  

Just Congregations puts into practice an initiative of the Union for Reform Judaism to hold organized “listening sessions” with members, to determine what issues we find most challenging. This information shapes the social justice work we do at Temple Beth Am and in the wider community, and helps us connect with each other.

Join us on November 15 for another segment of the film series about health care "Unnatural Causes." From March through May 2009, Just Congregations held several House Parties and a Listening Session. On October 11, 2009 these conversations culminated in a congregation-wide Tzedek Summit. See the Just Congregations page for more information.

Plan Events for Social Action: Wealth & Poverty and Global Climate Change  

As world citizens, we are challenged to address numerous concerns that are in critical need of our attention, resources, and ongoing commitment. As Jews, we have a responsibility to practice Tikkun Olam, the repairing of the world. Please join your fellow congregants as we embark on an exciting year of social justice work.

  • Committee Meetings—Participate in planning events and actions for the coming year. Meetings are on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:45 PM at the Temple. Consult the Main Calendar to verify date each month.
  • Event Volunteers—Help with one or more events that particularly interest you—from education to action, and from Temple-wide to a specific group within the Temple.
  • Attend the Events—Please participate in those events that interest you and fit into your schedule. The timing of events will be planned to include as many members as possible.
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