Justice and Peace

Social Action/Social Justice Update | Upcoming Events

A commitment to justice and peace (tzedek vshalom) is a defining characteristic of B’nai Jeshurun and is rooted in the prophetic vision of Judaism.  Our task is to hear the wisdom of our tradition and to make that message meaningful in these days and in this place.

We must continually ask ourselves as individuals and as a community “Ayekah – where are you?”
Our challenge is to be able to answer with honesty “Hineni, here I am.”

Each of us has the responsibility to do our part to help repair the world. Our tradition demands that each of us work to eliminate the occurrence and effect of poverty, to speak out against injustice, and to shape a more caring society and a more peaceful world.

Being a member of B’nai Jeshurun means continuously striving to create a kehillah kedoshah, a sacred community, within our congregation as well as within our global community. The Social Action/Social Justice Department creates opportunities for congregants to respond effectively to social injustices in our local, national, and global communities and to develop meaningful relationships with our neighbors.

Through Panim el Panim, B’nai Jeshurun’s Community Organizing and Advocacy Initiative, we utilize community organizing strategies to build deeper relationships among congregants, identify issues of shared concern, and advocate for social change in partnership with other communities.

Our four direct-service programs, the BJ/SPSA Homeless Shelter, Judith Bernstein Lunch Program, BJ Reads, and the BJ/Ralph Bunche School Partnership – offer concrete ways to address the immediate needs and improve the lives of others in our community.

Under the name “BJ Responds,” we take additional opportunities to “pray with our feet” through one-time events and by responding to global and national crises including the genocide in Darfur.

We invite each of you to carve out your own path at B’nai Jeshurun, to serve God and to live the mitzvot of our tradition.

Social Action/Social Justice Department
Contact: Channa Camins, Director of Social Action/Social Justice, x259.

Social Action/Social Justice Steering Committee

Chair: Rochelle Friedlich
Contact: Channa Camins, Director of Social Action/Social Justice, x259.

The Social Action/Social Justice Steering Committee brings together our direct-service programs, community organizing and advocacy work, one-time events and responses to crises. The Committee seeks to integrate our work into a comprehensive whole and maximize our impact by fostering relationships among our volunteer leadership and deepening the Jewish spiritual foundations of our work together.

Sign up for BJ Social Action/Social Justice Update

BJ’s Social Action/Social Justice Update connects BJ members and congregants to action opportunities in support of our service projects and advocacy campaigns. As an e-activist, you will be able to stay on top of local social justice issues, find out about volunteer needs, take action in support of our advocacy campaigns, and much more. Updates and special action alerts will be sent no more than twice a month.

Sign up for Social Action/Social Justice Update

For more information about Shelter Advocacy  call Director of Social Action/Social Justice, Channa Camins at x259.

Upcoming  Social Action/Social Justice Events

Komen Race for the Cure

Sunday, September 12 | 8:00AM | 88th Street Sanctuary and Central Park
Mark your calendars now for the 2010 Komen Race for the Cure. It only takes a minute to register and you will be part of building a large BJ community team and contributing to the fight against breast cancer. Visit the Komen website, click on “Join a Race Team,” and select “Congregation B’nai Jeshurun.” We will start the day at BJ with breakfast and prayer, and then walk together to join the race. For more information contact Andrea Bigelisen Riskin.