West End Synagogue: Social Action

Social Action at WES

At West End Synagogue we are committed to the principle that it is not our responsibility of finishing the work of Tikkun Olam (perfecting the world) but that we are not free to desist from it either.

The Yad Mordechai Social Action Committee of West End Synagogue is concerned with promoting Tikkun Olam and the pursuit of social justice. It works actively with other Synagogue committees and is particularly involved in adult and children’s education as it relates to social issues. The Social Action Committee plays a leadership role in energizing the congregation and promoting and participating in social action activities locally, in Israel and elsewhere in the world. The Committee has undertaken a major program to develop and expand on the individual social action efforts of the members of the Congregation.

The domestic program of the Social Action Committee includes monthly food collections of nonperishable foods for City Harvest and special food collections at Passover and Yom Kippur. There is also an annual Blood Drive. The Committee sponsors guest speakers and has made a major effort promoting Fair Trade Coffee and energy saving light bulbs; solar cookers for Darfur and mosquito netting for tropical Africa. It has also worked to develop active relationships and better understanding with other congregations — Jewish, Christian and Muslim.

From funds that it administers, the Committee has donated to different programs domestically, in Israel and in Africa and through microloans to various developing countries. Giving has included the New Israel Fund and the North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry.

The program of the Social Action Committee calls for building on our past programs by continuing our ongoing activities and expanding on them.

Monthly Food Drive, October 2009 - Kol Nidrei FoddDrive

WES & Congregation Bases Community Organization (CBCO)

WES is a member of the Congregation Based Community Organization, Manhattan Together. Another read more...

WES Collaborating with TDfoundation
WES's Social Action Committee has joined efforts with TDfoundation which is dedicatd to the improvement of the lives of Iraqi children. Every month we shall collect a good or a service in support of the foundation's goals.
During the month of January we will be collecting children's vitamins.

The collection box is in the synagogue lobby and is accompanied by information about the TDfoundation.

For additional information about the TDfoundation, visit their website TDfoundation.org

------------------------------------------

Buy Environmentally Friendly Paper Products

Environmentally friendly paper towels, toilet paper, tissues and paper plates & napkins, contain a minimum of 80% post-consumer recycled materials as of this year. Not only does it save trees; but it also reduces landfills and uses less water than virgin paper.

You can always bring food to the synagogue: Please bring one or more of canned food items to the synagogue. It is our custom to donate food collected by City Harvest for distribution to our less fortunate neighbors.

The Association For Community Empowerment - Yedid

WES is proudly involved and supports Yedid, an NGO based in Israel, promoting social justice through community empowerment. Please check their activities and let us know what will be of interest to you.

Volunteer Opportunities

Do you have a few hours to spare each week? The Social Action Committee has opportunities for meaningful volunteer work including:

tutoring school children
helping with Rutgers Church shelter on Thursday nights' supper for the needy of NYC
working with New York Cares in any of a variety of programs.

For more information please call Andrea Bardfeld or the office and leave a message for Andrea.

Genocide in Darfur: What Can We Do?

The Social Action committee is urging you to look into the Darfur Resource Kit (researched and compiled by Mark Nazimova) to learn more about this tragedy and ways to help!

Links to excellent overviews have been added in the Articles section of the Resource Kit.

Recommended site is American Jewish World Services.