Social Action
Social action is a core component of 
how we build community at Temple Beth Emeth and how we make change in the world. The Social Action Committee meets monthly and collaborates with the clergy and community organizations to provide opportunities for direct service, education, and advocacy. Rather than a formal committee, we welcome any members to attend our monthly meetings on the third Monday of each month at 7:30 pm. During our meetings, we discuss ongoing work, new opportunities, and potential initiatives we can lead at Temple Beth Emeth as well as how we can collaborate with other organizations in the broader Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area. We welcome your ideas about how to deepen our connection to Jewish values through tikkun olam, repairing the world. Join us!
Please sign up for our Social Action @ Temple Beth Emeth newsletter here. You can contact the Vice President for Social Action, Naomi Goldberg, or Committee Chair, Abbie Egherman by emailing socialaction@templebethemeth.org.
Education and advocacy activities include civic engagement and voter registration drives, the TBE Dayenu Circle focused on climate justice, congregational social justice book discussions, a series of June for Justice Shabbatot, supporting refugees joining our community with Jewish Family Services, anti-racism work, and more.
Direct Service Opportunities include these recurring opportunities:
- The Back Door Food Pantry is a collaboration between Temple Beth Emeth, St. Clare’s Episcopal Church, and the Muslim community to provide food to all those in need. Volunteers are needed to receive, unpack, and shelve food and to prepare and distribute food. To volunteer, contact Ellie Davidson, elliewdavidson@gmail.com, for more information.
- Food Gatherers Community Kitchen, located downtown at the Delonis Center, provides 20 meals per week to those in need. Temple Beth Emeth volunteers work in the kitchen to prepare meals once a month on Saturdays. Volunteers can be as young as 12 if accompanied by a parent. Email Yuni Aaron, yuniaaron@me.com, to join the volunteer list or learn more.
- Alpha House, which supports families experiencing housing instability, is supported by our community. Throughout the year, we prepare meals for and visit with families. Sign up for our Social Action @ Temple Beth Emeth email to learn more.
- Rotating Shelter is an interfaith effort through the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County to provide warm, safe shelter, meals, and community to people experiencing homelessness. Typically around Thanksgiving, Temple Beth Emeth members alongside St. Clare's Church members make meals, serve as overnight hosts, and provide transportation to members of the Washtenaw County community who are experiencing homelessness. Sign up for our Social Action @ Temple Beth Emeth email to learn more.
