Social Justice at Temple Israel

Ohel Tzedek: Tent of Justice

"All actual living is encounter" – Martin Buber

Temple Israel has a historic commitment to pursuing justice in the world. We do this work by engaging in grass-roots organizing to address the root causes of injustice. At the center of our work is building relationships within and outside of our temple community in order that we may act in significant ways to effect change in our world. Toward that end, we have recently discovered the need to recommit ourselves to gathering a team of people committed to the strength of our congregation’s Caring Community, knowing well that we can only be effective in our justice work if we are a strong community whose members know, support, and care for one another. Our social justice action is infused with Jewish learning and ritual, and our campaigns grow out of issues of shared concerns that we discover through conversations and house meetings. All are always welcome to be a part of social justice in this community. We are currently engaged in the following issue areas, although this list grows and evolves as we do:

Focus on Youth
At our recent November gathering, we heard stories from our teens about the stresses and pressures that they face in their daily lives and the sometimes unsafe choices that teens and pre-teens today are making. We decided, as a community, that our young folks should not have to stand alone as they face their struggles. Over 70 Temple Israel members have committed to working on youth issues both within our community and as allies with our partners in the across the Boston Metropolitan area. In the coming months, this team will gather and address such issues as bullying, destructive stress, safe spaces, and many other areas of concern.At our recent November gathering, we heard stories from our teens about the stresses and pressures that they face in their daily lives and the sometimes unsafe choices that teens and pre-teens today are making. We decided, as a community, that our young folks should not have to stand alone as they face their struggles. Over 70 Temple Israel members have committed to working on youth issues both within our community and as allies with our partners in the across the Boston Metropolitan area. In the coming months, this team will gather and address such issues as bullying, destructive stress, safe spaces, and many other areas of concern.

Aging with Dignity
Also at our November gathering, we began to address concerns of our aging population. There are over 850 seniors at Temple Israel and many of our members find themselves in the role of caretaker for their aging parents. As a community, we affirmed that our seniors have the right to age with dignity and our caretakers deserve the support and partnership of their temple community. As this team, composed of our seniors, their caretakers, and many others, moves forward, we will explore the best ways to effect change and respond to the challenges of aging along with our partners in the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization.

Sudan
Temple Israel has joined together with the Bethel AME Church to address the tragic humanitarian crisis in Sudan. On March 10th, we held a wonderful gathering of our two communities to raise money for the Akon School for Girls, established by My Sister's Keeper, co-founded by Reverend Gloria White Hammond. Pictures of this event can be seen here. Keep your eyes out for more info!

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Rights
Ohel Tzedek is carrying on Temple Israel’s long-time commitment to GLBT rights and inclusion. Most recently, Ohel Tzedek acted for equal marriage rights by rallying at the state house during the Constitutional Convention, mobilizing congregants to make thousands of phone calls urging legislators to keep discrimination out of the constitution. We have since decided to join Keshet’s Safe School’s program which will go into effect for our religious school program this coming year. We are also exploring and engaging in the current critical actions regarding transgender rights and inclusion in Massachusetts.

Senior and Adult Community-Building
The Adult Hevre (formerly called the Senior Hevre) continues to provide a time to form friendships and to discuss in warm and informal settings everything from current events to Jewish texts. The Adult Hevre also raises funds for important causes and brings strength and numbers to other Ohel Tzedek actions.

Healthcare
Through our membership in the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, Temple Israel has been a major player in the passage of Massachusetts’ new healthcare law. Last year, we organized thousands of our members to collect 50,000 signatures in support of quality healthcare and played a key role in organizing a powerful base of people that supported access to healthcare for thousands across the state.  As of the beginning of 2008, there are nearly 300,000 newly insured people across this Commonwealth! We are now committed to ensuring that this victory reaches as many people as possible.  In addition to education and enrollment in the plans, we are organizing a base of leaders who will fight to defend the healthcare victory and make improvements where needed.

5th, 6th and 7th Grade Social Justice
On their journey toward Bar And Bat mitzvah, our students take on the responsibility of enacting social justice. Over these three years, the students commit themselves, through conversations and research, to specific areas of shared interest. They are currently engaged in actions addressing the environment, animal welfare, literacy, hunger and homelessness, and our elders.

Direct Service
Temple Israel also tries to respond to immediate need. Some of our exciting social action opportunities include work with the Greater Boston Food Bank, Jewish Family & Children's Services Family Table, volunteering in a literacy program at the Patrick O’Hearn School in Dorchester, and serving food at Sunday’s Bread at the Church of St. John the Evangelist. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Updated events are posted on the Ohel Tzedek Calendar.

For more information about social justice at Temple Israel please contact:
Steven Goldman at Steven_Goldman@comcast.net or 617-522-2807; or Cindy Rowe at Cindy@RoweResources.com or 617-277-6282; or Rabbi Stephanie Kolin, skolin@tisrael.org or 617-566-3960