Panim el Panim: BJ’s Community Organizing and Advocacy Initiative

Since its inception in January 2003, Panim el Panim has brought the congregation together in conversation around social justice issues and provided a collective base of ideas and individuals from which we are deepening and expanding BJ’s efforts towards tikkun olam, healing the world.  More about the History of Panim el Panim. ReadPanim el Panim: Our Story.

Panim el Panim Task Force

Co-Chairs: Judith Trachtenberg and Jamie Emhoff
Contact: Channa Camins, Director of Social Action/Social Justice, x259

Panim el Panim aims to transform our congregation by facilitating deeper relationships among our members and between our BJ community and our citywide neighbors. Using community organizing principles and techniques, including one-on-one community conversations, house gatherings, leadership trainings, and strategic campaign development, we work in coalition with community organizations and faith-based groups to create lasting social change. This year, our four action hevras (friendship groups, or working committees) and their action campaigns are as follows:

Marriage Equality Hevra

Contact: Dale Bernstein and Lisa Safier
Campaign: Marriage Equality: Speaking out for equal rights and benefits for same-sex couples.

Do Not Stand Idly By: A Jewish Community Pledge to Save Lives
We invite you to join our Rabbis in participating in a national awareness campaign to create supportive Jewish communities that foster respect for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) people, young and old.   Please sign the Jewish Community Pledge to Save Lives that asks you to commit to treat everyone with dignity and respect and to take action if you see someone being bullied.

BJ Celebrates the seven blessings of Marriage Equality!
Thursday, July 14 | 7:00-9:00PM | 88th Street Sanctuary
This is going to be a “wedding” to remember. We will share our joy with our Rabbis, Hazzan, elected officials, friends, and partners in the victory of marriage equality in New York State. After the wedding ceremony we will celebrate, dance, sing, and enjoy refreshments. Hosted by the proud leaders of the Marriage Equality Hevra and Panim el Panim.  View the full invitation.

Manhattan Together Hevra

Contact:  Channa Camins, Director of Social Action/Social Justice
Campaign: This hevra will provide a central hub for communication, community, and strategy for all BJ congregants working with interfaith social justice coalition Manhattan Together on the development of two campaign areas including affordable housing and immigrants’ rights.

Domestic Workers’ Rights: B’nai Jeshurun Employers for Justice

Contact: Paula Galowitz and Judith Trachtenberg
Campaign: Members have pledged to provide a salary increase or specific additional employment benefit for the person who works in our homes and collaborate with Domestic Workers United and Jews for Racial and Economic Justice to work toward the implementation of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights in New York.

Predatory Lending/High Interest Debt Exploratory Team

Contact: Sandy Cheiten
Campaign: Working with the interfaith organization, Manhattan Together, Panim el Panim would like to initiate a conversation on the issue of high interest debt at BJ to gauge how our community is affected by high interest rates and predatory lending practices.

Affordable Housing Campaign Working Group
Contact: Josh Weisstuch and Renie Rutchick
Campaign: Aim to create and preserve affordable housing in New York City, specifically on the Upper West Side.

Editorial on Rent Regulation by Pratt Area Community Council, Executive Director in the The New York Daily News on June 8. 2011

Haggadah Insert

Adding new rituals and texts to the Passover Seder is a way to connect this ancient holiday of the liberation to contemporary struggles for freedom. This year we ask you to consider adding this ritual and text to your Seder to bring attention to the fight for marriage equality.  You can download a copy of BJ’s Marriage Equality Haggadah Insert.