Chairperson: Elyse Kalmans
The role of the Social Action Committee is to:
- Keep Social Justice and Social Action in the forefront of Congregation Emanu El's agenda
- Apprise congregants of issues and volunteer opportunities
- Sponsor forums on issues
- Undertake projects
- Encourage individual and congregational involvement;
- Recommend policy positions on issues of Social Justice to the Board of Congregation Emanu El
- Reaffirm that every day is Mitzvah Day
The Social Action Committee is a proactive resource of the congregation that is always interested to hear from you. In addition to the issues listed here be sure to check out Putting Our Faith into Action, the Social Action corner of the Bulletin. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions complete the “Request for Action” form at the bottom of this page.
On-line Resource Guide
Suspecting or learning that a family member has a disability can be very difficult. Today, many people turn to the Internet to discover what services exist to meet their needs. They also turn to their congregations, their local agencies and their community for resources. Jewish Family Service has developed an on-line introduction to the vast resources that exist in the Jewish and general communities, in the Greater Houston Metropolitan Area and beyond. Access it at: www.jfshouston.org/specialneeds.php
Cover the Uninsured
In Texas, out of a total population of 22,859,968 people, 24.2% do not have health insurance coverage. 20.7% of Texas children are uninsured (compared to the national average of 11.2%). Visit the RAC website for more information and local initiatives: http://rac.org.
WHAT’S A JEWISH ISSUE? Basically everything.
Motivated by Judaism's imperative to pursue justice, the American Jewish World Service actively works to build civil societies and alleviate poverty, hunger and disease among the people of the developing world regardless of race, religion or nationality. Active in the campaign to save the people of Darfur, AJWS provides humanitarian aid and advocacy opportunities. Find out how you can help. http://www.ajws.org/
MULTIPLE MITZVAH OPPORTUNITY: donate your empty pill bottles.
Pill bottles are desperately needed by Medical Bridges, one of Congregation Emanu El’s Mitzvah Day sites, to safely re-package donated pharmaceuticals for shipment overseas. Clean off the labels from your plastic pill bottles and bring the containers to the designated Temple collection spot.
Medical Bridges is a non-profit organization that procures medical & surgical supplies and equipment for donation to qualified providers of charitable medical care in developing countries. Since its founding in 1997, it has sent over $21 million of medical supplies to 76 countries. Learn more about Medical Bridges at: http://www.medicalbridges.org/index.htm
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism http://rac.org/ :
Frustrated by the news? Yes, there is something you can do: Take RACtion a web site sponsored by the Union for Reform Judaism. The RAC offers action alerts, research, opportunities, projects, programs, publications, updates, background, ready information on issues affecting Jews and all humankind. It is a fabulous resource - and beginning. Sign up for e-alerts today.
The Jewish Ethics Challenge . Our personal beliefs and ethical values are revealed in the judgments and actions we take. How do our personal values compare with important Jewish considerations? "The Jewish Ethics Challenge: Where do you Stand?" by Arthur Gross Schaefer [originally published in Reform Judaism, (Winter 1997)] is available on-line. It is thought-provoking, an opportunity to hold up a mirror, to discuss and consider. Access it at: http://reformjudaismmag.net/1197ag.html
Disaster Preparedness.We have developed a Disaster Preparedness Plan designed to prepare and secure the Temple prior to a natural disaster, e.g., flood, storm, hurricane. For a personal and/or family preparedness plan, check out our Disaster Preparedness Page.
PROJECTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Gordon Elementary School Arts Project. Co-chairs: Sandy Harris & Diane Dante. The program provides Cultural Arts enrichment to the students through field trips, on-site performances and experiential activities. Resources have included Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Symphony, individual artists and others.
Emergency Aid Coalition (EAC). http://eachouston.org 713-522-0879. A project sponsored by a coalition of 14 Main Street corridor congregations that provides free clothing, a food pantry and a "Lunch Line." Food donations to Congregation Emanu El are taken there.
Volunteer Opportunities: interview clients; sort, fold & arrange clothes; make sandwiches; work in the food pantry.
SEARCH
[Service of the Emergency Aid
Resource Center for the Homeless].
http://www.searchproject.org
713-739-7752. Liaison: Arlyne
Gimbel. SEARCH is dedicated to
helping homeless men, women and
children get off the streets and
into jobs and affordable housing.
It is focused primarily on education,
job training and employment. Congregation
Emanu El has strong ties to SEARCH,
was active in its inception and
continues to support it.
Volunteer Opportunities: Work
with children at the House of
Tiny Treasures; Do you enjoy reading?
Share the joy by teaching at the
Adult Literacy Lab; Help with
food preparation and packaging
- and more.
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