Social Action and Social Justice
A “mitzvah is where God and humanity meet.” – Abraham Joshua Heschel
Our Values in Action work strives to balance responsiveness to emerging issues with focus.
We invite you to attend our monthly Values in Action community meetings. The agenda varies from deep dives into particular areas and programs to broad check-ins across Temple Isaiah initiatives.
Much of our work happens in coalition. Our primary partner is the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC), and its state network RAC-CA. As part of the Reform Movement, Temple Isaiah has become a Brit Olam (“eternal covenant”) congregation, meaning we have committed to pursuing tikkun olam strategically in our local context, while knowing we are part of hundreds of Reform synagogues across the nation doing the same.
Your Values in Action Isaiah Leadership,
Co-Chairs: David Bressler, Direct Service. Judy Carney, Advocacy. Leslie Shafton, DEI.
Clergy: Rabbi Aaron Torop
Get Inspired. Get Involved. Make A Difference.
- Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to our Values in Action (VIA Isaiah) Monthly Email Newsletter: Your Quick Guide to improving our community and the world at Temple Isaiah.
VIA ISAIAH IS…a collection of groups within Temple Isaiah who offer opportunities to temple members to serve those in need and to make our community more just through education, advocacy and direct service. Our efforts are grounded in the Jewish values of tikkun olam, repairing the world. Everyone is welcome and needed in this effort.
Monthly Newsletter Archive
November 2024
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December 2023
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December 2022
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December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021- Direct Service
At Temple Isaiah we seek to engage in acts of tikkun olam throughout the year and make a positive impact on hunger, homelessness, education, and more. We partner with the following community organizations to help those in need in our community.
High Holy Day Food Drive for Hunger in Contra Costa County:
Each year our High Holy Day food drive helps to provide over 5,000 pounds! Donations needed are nutrient-rich, shelf-stable foods in cans, plastic containers and boxes within labeled expiration dates.
Contact: Nadav Rave at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)Contra Costa Food Bank
Please check your mailbox or click here for the annual Turkey Drive mailing each year to feed the hungry in our county during the holidays. Each year our congregations combined help raise over $100,000!Hope Solutions (formerly Contra Costa Interfaith Housing)
Hope Solutions mission is to provide permanent, affordable housing and vital support services to homeless and at-risk families and individuals in Contra Costa.
• Spirit of Giving Holiday Drive.
• School Supply Drive - Join fellow congregants for our annual school supply drive for high school kids who are a part of Hope Solution.
• Tutoring for Homework Club: Adult tutors are needed for children of all ages in the after school program. Homework Club hours: Mo, Tu & Th. 2:30-5:00 p.m.; Wed. 1:00 -5:00 p.m.
• Quarterly Tenant Dinners: help prepare, deliver and serve dinner to Garden Park Apartment tenants for their tenant meeting. Approx. 25 adults and 10 kids.
• Projects to Repair and Refurbish the Facilities - help the staff make minor improvements to the facilities - projects may include a clean up day, painting, a handyman day etc.
• One-time events and projects - garden and work projects; office volunteers for mailings; committee work for fund raising.
Contact: Amy Faltz at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), (925) 932-4137Jewish Coalition for Literacy
Can you read this? That means you can help a child who can’t. In just one hour a week you can help a student learn to love reading. Take part in this rewarding tikkun olam program and help a child succeed. Join the Jewish Coalition for Literacy as a volunteer reading tutor and make a difference in a child’s life. Register for our next free tutor training workshop at http://www.jclread.orgJewish Family and Community Services of the East Bay
Help New Afghan and Ukraine Refugees JFCS can use our help with the following:
1. ESL Tutors – This can be in person or via Zoom
2. Grocery Shopping for newcomers - buy groceries at your own expense and deliver them to clients.
3. Adult Bikes – JFCS needs adult bikes in any condition.
4. Gift Cards – Target, Visa, Amazon and Safeway are preferred but they are grateful for anything. You can send them to the JFCS office at 2151 Salvio Street, Suite 350, Concord CA 94520 attn: Volunteer Services.
Please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) if you are able to help with any of the above.
If you have questions contact Lisa Hirsch at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or visit https://jfcs-eastbay.org/refugee-resettlement/Loaves and Fishes
Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa operates five dining rooms from Martinez to Oakley where it serves free hot lunch Monday-Friday. Its free food pantry distributes over a ton of groceries each week.
• Help Serve Meals - Join fellow TI congregants to prepare food for approx. 2 hours the 3rd Thursday of every month from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Work takes place at the catering kitchen at Loaves and Fishes in Pittsburg.The Loaves and Fishes dining room in Pittsburg also seeks 5 to 6 volunteers for a fun and rewarding experience serving a hot buffet meal with other volunteers.
• First Thursday of each month from 9:30 AM to 1:15 PM
• Fourth Thursday of each month from 9:30 AM to 1:15 PM
The Pittsburg. dining room is located at 1415 Simpson Court in Pittsburg.
Interested individuals can email Elle at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call (925) 708-4257.Mt. View Emergency Family Shelter
Serving homeless families with children in need of emergency housing, this shelter supports up to 13 families at any given time. Join the WOI as they provide nourishing dinners for the residents. Dates and details at http://www.temple-isaiah.org/values-in-action/shelter-dinners/
Contact: Gail Walden at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or Lynn Harrington-Gold at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)Multi-faith A.C.T.I.O.N. (Advocates & Communities Taking Initiative 4 Our Neighbors) Coalition
Temple Isaiah is a proud member of the Multi-Faith ACTION Coalition, dedicated to addressing the root causes of poverty in Contra Costa County through advocacy and policy change. The coalition grew out of a meeting of faith groups at Temple Isaiah five years ago, and we have been active participants ever since. MFAC members take many actions to bring light to the injustices that keep people in our community in poverty and to change state and local policies to ease their burdens. These actions include speaking out at public meetings, writing or calling legislators, and attending informational town halls and forums. Among other issues, coalition members advocated for the Veterans and Affordable Housing Act, increased funding for anti-poverty programs in the state budget, and banning the box regarding prior incarceration on job applications. To get involved, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Details at http://www.multifaithactioncoalition.orgWinter Nights Rotating Shelter
Temple Isaiah hosts the Winter Nights Shelter for homeless families with children each year during winter break. Hundreds of volunteers are needed for: set up/take down; meals and food; activities for kids; a Christmas celebration, and more. Practice gemilut chasadim, “acts of loving kindness,” by joining Temple members in this rewarding community mitzvah. Sign-ups begin each October at http://www.temple-isaiah.org/values-in-action/winter-nights
Contact: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).- Social Justice
Civic Engagement
Temple Isaiah believes Unequivocally, Black Lives Matter.From the Talmud, we learn:
“Whoever can protest to his household and does not, is accountable [for the sins] of his household; if he could protest to his townspeople, he is accountable for their sins; if he could protest to the whole world, he is accountable for the whole world.” (Shabbat 54b)From this, we learn: if we have the ability to raise our voice, it is our obligation to do so. So it is with every human, and so it is for us as a community. Since Temple Isaiah has the ability to raise its voice for justice, we do so urgently.
Joint statements
https://urj.org/press-room/reform-jewish-leadership-statement-black-lives-matter-jewish-value
https://temple-isaiah.org/values-in-action/interfaithandmultifaith/
Values in Action Racial Justice Team
Pursuing justice means flexible and timely communication. We want you to know when and where you can act - if you would like to opt-in to receive Rapid Response opportunities, please subscribe to the “Values in Action: Rapid Response” list. Questions? Contact Values in Action co-chairs Leslie Shafton or Adina ZinnSocial Justice Partners
- Youth in Action
Social action and social justice are an integral part of our education and youth programs at Temple Isaiah.
The youngest members of our community learn about and practice being part of a caring community through the Angel Network, Adopt-A-Preschool, Mitzvah days, and more at Gan Ilan preschool.
Our Kulanu families with children in grades K-6, Camp Kefli campers in grades K-8 and youth groups (Anachnu, Simcha and LAFTY) participate in local opportunities, such as The Urban Farmers and Winter Nights Shelter, and initiatives with a broader scope through NFTY - The North American Federation of Temple Youth.
Our JQuest program for kids Pre-K-7th grade is rich with social action and social justice education and engagement. Please click here to learn more about Tikkun Olam at JQuest. Each JQuest class also helps our Temple Isaiah community directly through the Angel Network, Buildings and Grounds Committee, and more.
Contra Costa Emergency Shelter lunches
The 1 hour Mitzvah that feeds 65 people! JQuest sponsors a project that reaches out to the hungry in our own community. On several Sundays throughout the school year our JQuest families have the opportunity to work together preparing lunches for an adult transitional shelter in Concord. This is a shelter where the lunch meal is not usually provided. We are the only agency providing lunch and our efforts are greatly appreciated. In addition, toiletry donations are always welcome and can be brought to the Temple Kitchen on the dates of the shelter lunch program.7th graders are immersed in social action throughout the year with innovative Mitzvah Corp opportunities including; Save The Bay, Glide Memorial Church, JFCS, a 7th grade fund grant making curriculum, and more.
Our b’nai mitzvah teens work closely with our clergy on a meaningful mitzvah project, as an important part of of their right of passage into adulthood.
10th graders go to Washington D.C. each year as part of the Religious Action Center.
11th and 12th graders now have the opportunity to participate in a Tzedek (Justice) internship to enhance their leadership skills learned during the 7th grade Mitzvah Corp program.
For more information, please contact .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)