Social Action is an integral part of the Beth El community. We frequently hold Social Action events and encourage the entire membership to get involved in helping our surrounding community in need.
Gemilut hassadim, acts of lovingkindness, and tikkun olam, repairing the world are both fundamental to Judaism and its mandates for social action. The Torah tells us to feed the hungry, relieve suffering, promote justice, and respond to the needs of our fellow human beings in as many ways as we can.
Our Social Action Committee’s current main focus is Hunger/Nutrition and Child Poverty. We support various organizations and programs concerned with relief efforts in these fields. Click here to make sure you are up-to-date on all current and forthcoming events and issues by joining the Social Action Google Group. After joining, you can configure the settings to your particular preferences. Click here for information on specific programs and be sure to watch for updates as more projects are added throughout the year. Many projects are supported through the generous donations given to our Mitzvah Fund.
Purpose:
- Beth El’s Social Action Committee organizes and sponsors a variety of social action projects such as food and blood drives, days of service and fundraisers.
- Our goal is to cultivate a culture of social action and community engagement at Beth El through the planning and promotion of opportunities for volunteering, donating and becoming educated about issues impacting the community-at-large.
- The Committee also serves as a central information point for individual and group volunteer opportunities, and a resource of collected information on social action engagement.
- Social Action partners and collaborates with Jewish and interfaith organizations.
In addition to our year-round and annual hunger/child poverty relief efforts, programs include:
- Ongoing food drive (click here for an updated list of requested items and guidelines)
- Cooking and serving meals in local shelters
- Participation in the local CROP Walks
- Our annual Yiddish Songfest benefiting Durham Urban Ministries
- MLK Day of Service
- Annual Blood Drive in cooperation with the Red Cross
- We also have a knitting chevra that makes hats, sweaters, and other items for those in need, and also collects other clothing. Our Social Action committee participates in many other programs of local and international agencies which positively affect the lives of others.
- Mensch of the Moment: Please help us to identify worthy individuals who we can honor as a “Mensch of the Moment.” A mensch is a decent, responsible and honorable person who works diligently in the Beth El community without a lot of fanfare or notoriety. For more information, please contact Norma Gindes or Lisa Berley. To nominate a person that you feel deserves this title, click on one of the following applications: Mensch Application: Word / Mensch Application: PDF
- Beth El is a member of Durham Congregations in Action (DCIA), the Interfaith Council of Chapel Hill (IFC), and the HIAS Welcome Campaign.
If you have any questions or are looking for ways to get involved, please contact our Social Action Committee Chair:
- Hope Hartman – email or 919-937-9542
