Social Action (SA)

The mission of Social Action at TBE is to assist the congregation in applying our Jewish values to promoting social justice through aid, education, and advocacy. These efforts to promote tikkun olam are concentrated on a few selected issues each year that are of concern to local or global communities. The issues addressed include but are not limited to: poverty, hunger, affordable housing, the environment, human rights, civil liberties, Israeli-Palestinian relations in the Middle East, inter-faith relations in our community, religious freedom and peace. Social action has a prominent role at TBE, taking many forms.

To get involved with Social Action at TBE, or to join our email list, please contact Ed Davidson at 973-0751 or davidson@umich.edu.

Save the Date MITZVAH DAY -Saturday, May 1 2010

Social Action Links

The Making and Transformation of the Israeli Land Regime: 1948-2008
A talk by Alexandre (Sandy) Kedar
Monday, December 14
7:30 pm at the TBE Social Hall
For more information click here.

 

 

 

Hand in Hand: Integrated Jewish/Arab Education Enters Its Second Decade
Wednesday, December 9
7:30 pm at the Beth Israel Congregation
The program is free, but registration is required. For more information click here. 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Crop Walk October 18, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

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What does it mean that TBE is a Jubilee Congregation? 
It means that we will work to create the political will to remove the burden of unfair debt from the backs of the world’s poorest people.  At least once each year, we will communicate with our members of Congress about our desire for debt forgiveness.  We also commit to contributing $1 each, every year, to support the work of Jubilee USA.

 

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New Initiatives! Check out two new causes that Social Action and TBE are involved in!  Look at the page for the Back Door Food Pantry for information on how TBE has joined forces with St. Clare's to help feed our community.  Then, take a look at our page on going green to see how we are exploring ways to help preserve our planet.

Upcoming Events & Ongoing Projects

 

UPDATED! Delonis Center/Food Gatherers Community Kitchen/Alpha House

312 W. Huron, between 1st & 3rd streets

TBE and St. Clare’s provide volunteers to these organizations on a regular basis.  For more information and instructions on how to sign up, click here.  TBE will be involved with Alpha House will be Decemeber 21-27, 2009.  We will need volunteers the whole days of December 24 and 25, 2009.

 

Understanding Gaza and Calls to Action from Rabbis for Human Rights

A video and transcript of B'rit Tzedek v'Shalom's podcast with Mark Gopin: "Understanding Gaza: An on-the-ground Report from Jerusalem" are available here.  Temple Beth Emeth is a member of Rabbis for Human Rights - North America and its Jewish Human Rights network, "K'vod Habriot."

 

Several of our supporters have asked us for suggestions of orginizations to which one can contribute tzedakah to alleviate suffering, particularly that of the civilians of Gaza.  We are happy to accept tax-deductible contributions, which will be sent to Physicians for Human Rights - Israel, and organization that protects the right to healthcare of all in Israel and in the Occupied Territories.  Mail contributions by check made out to "RHR-NA" with "Gaza Crisis Relief from Temple Beth Emeth" on the memo line to:

 

RHR-NA

P.O. Box 1539

West Tisbury, MA 02575

 

For additional information, please contact Ed Davidson (contact info at top of page)

 

Debt Forgiveness Jubilee Update

The Social Action Committee signed a message to new U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, calling on him to expand debt relief and pay what we owe to the World Bank.  The current financial crisis has hit the world's poorest hardest of all, with estimates of malnutrition increases approaching 60% in some countries, where continued interest payments on decades old debts preclude providing basic human services.  The Jubilee staff worked alongside American Jewish World Service and others and produced debt relief recommendations for the Obama transition team.  To see these and learn more, visit the website www.jubileeusa.org.

 

Thanks to the TBE congregants who have donated money to Jubilee and our internal matchin grant, we have now contributed $108 toward our dues of $1 per congregant.  over $100 in matching funds are still available!  Donations can be made to TBE with a notation of "Jubilee" in the memo section.