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Social Action Committee

MISSION:
To educate Bet Shalom congregants about social justice issues and to identify service opportunities in order to encourage, coordinate and facilitate congregation-wide participation in the work of tikkun olam, the healing and repair of the world. Bet Shalom's social action work currently focuses on three areas: hunger, homelessness and children's issues
 

Get Involved!

Put the “Action” in Social Action
Do you want to be informed on important social action issues?  Do you want to be a part of the process of selecting and coordinating social action efforts for members of Bet Shalom?  Do you have an area of concern regarding housing, children, human rights, discrimination, literacy, inter-faith or inter-racial issues, parenting, employment opportunities, welfare, AIDS, etc.....?  If so, come join our Social Action Committee and help us plan to address your concerns for the betterment of the community, and to take part in the mitzvah of Tikkun Olam!  We need interested people to help bring interesting projects and commitments to make it easier for all of us to better our world, a little bit at a time!  To join our committee, please contact David Walk.

Volunteer Opportunities

Social Action Committee Meetings
Study issues of social injustice; choose projects for congregational involvement.

Habitat for Humanity
Renovating homes for low-income families.

Loaves & Fishes
Preparing and serving dinner at a 'soup kitchen' every other month, with four other synagogues.

Intercongregational Communities Association (ICA)
Help collect, sort and distribute food for the needy at the Minnetonka-based location.

Literacy Program
Individuals and families promoting better reading skills among
disadvantaged children, in community settings.

State and Local Social Justice Work
Help advocate for affordable housing, child care, and other essential services at the state and local level. Contact elected officials. Attend the annual Joint Religious Legislative Coalition’s Day on the Hill event in February.

Nechama
Jewish Response to Disaster Help with clean-up when disaster strikes (tornadoes, floods, environmental disasters, etc.). Training and tools will be provided.

AIDS Aliveness
Filling Chanukah baskets with a special gift, for Jewish people with AIDS and their families, who wish to be connected to the Jewish community.

Mitzvah Day
An annual congregational involvement in numerous community mitzvot.

Other Opportunities

  • Coordinate Friday night speakers on important issues, to inform congregants and promote action

  • Help to recruit volunteers for Avodah B'Yachad projects (the service arm of J.C.R.C.)

  • Represent Bet Shalom at inter-faith community programs.