SocialAction
Social Action is central to our Temple's mission. We share the need to give in meaningful ways and we respond to the Jewish mandate to engage in tikkun olam, the repair of the world.
We reach out to the world to help – and we stay close to home as well, helping members of our congregation who are in need. We visit each other when someone falls ill. We pray and grieve together when a death occurs. We are a small enough congregation to be intimate, yet big enough to make a collective difference in our community.
Here are a few of our current Social Action projects:
SANDWICHES AT SINAI: Temple Sinai volunteers prepare bag lunches once a month for Be the Change - Sunday Meal an organization that provides a weekly meals for the needy. More hands are always welcome on preparation day, usually on a Sunday morning. Look in the weekly email edition of the Sinai Scroll for announcements of upcoming dates and join in receiving an unvoiced "thank you" from grateful recipients.
OUTREACH TO PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS AND BACKGROUNDS: Part of our strategy to combat hatred is building relationships with people of other traditions. Our Building Bridges program, supported by a grant from the Jewish Alliance, brings Jews and Muslims together in periodic gatherings to share our foods, culture, traditions, beliefs, and commitment to building a better world. Our Community Conversations program brings together members of Temple Sinai and Bethel A.M.E. Church in Providence in periodic meetings to discuss Black and Jewish history, culture and advocacy for social change. Discussion and action to address racism, anti-Muslim prejudice, and antisemitism is central to both programs.
RESETTLEMENT OF AFGHAN EVACUEES: The Social Action Committee is part of a community-wide effort led by the Jewish Alliance and other faith-based groups to aid refugees and evacuees. If you know of anyone who has an apartment or room to rent, please let the Rabbi know. This is of utmost importance, since there's a housing shortage in the state and it's hard to find places for the refugees to live. We also are raising funds for Afghan Resettlement (click here to go to our "Giving" page to make a donation). The funds we collect are used to buy gift cards for refugee to buy blankets, sheets, and kitchen supplies.
We reach out to the world to help – and we stay close to home as well, helping members of our congregation who are in need. We visit each other when someone falls ill. We pray and grieve together when a death occurs. We are a small enough congregation to be intimate, yet big enough to make a collective difference in our community.
Here are a few of our current Social Action projects:
SANDWICHES AT SINAI: Temple Sinai volunteers prepare bag lunches once a month for Be the Change - Sunday Meal an organization that provides a weekly meals for the needy. More hands are always welcome on preparation day, usually on a Sunday morning. Look in the weekly email edition of the Sinai Scroll for announcements of upcoming dates and join in receiving an unvoiced "thank you" from grateful recipients.
OUTREACH TO PEOPLE OF OTHER FAITHS AND BACKGROUNDS: Part of our strategy to combat hatred is building relationships with people of other traditions. Our Building Bridges program, supported by a grant from the Jewish Alliance, brings Jews and Muslims together in periodic gatherings to share our foods, culture, traditions, beliefs, and commitment to building a better world. Our Community Conversations program brings together members of Temple Sinai and Bethel A.M.E. Church in Providence in periodic meetings to discuss Black and Jewish history, culture and advocacy for social change. Discussion and action to address racism, anti-Muslim prejudice, and antisemitism is central to both programs.
RESETTLEMENT OF AFGHAN EVACUEES: The Social Action Committee is part of a community-wide effort led by the Jewish Alliance and other faith-based groups to aid refugees and evacuees. If you know of anyone who has an apartment or room to rent, please let the Rabbi know. This is of utmost importance, since there's a housing shortage in the state and it's hard to find places for the refugees to live. We also are raising funds for Afghan Resettlement (click here to go to our "Giving" page to make a donation). The funds we collect are used to buy gift cards for refugee to buy blankets, sheets, and kitchen supplies.
Rabbi Goldwasser works in coalition with other faith communities and faith leaders to advocate for social justice in Rhode Island.
FOOD COLLECTION: Food collection for distribution to West Bay Food Pantries is ongoing through the year. During the High Holy Days, we collect donated food at the Temple and online through the website of Jewish Collaborative Services' Kosher Food Pantry.
STATEWIDE ADVOCACY: Temple Sinai participates in statewide campaigns by faith organizations for laws to end the state's housing crisis, to provide adequate support for children in poverty, and to set standards for nursing home care. Rabbi Goldwasser is a leader in the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty, which brings together clergy and laypeople of all faiths to advocate for justice in the Ocean State.
Susan Sklar is the chair of the Social Action Committee. If you would like to be a part of the committee, attend meetings, or just make suggestions, please contact him. Hunger? Poverty? Disaster Relief? Is there a Social Action initiative you would like to see Temple Sinai participate in? Let us know. Put "Temple Sinai Social Action" in the subject line and email the committee at [email protected].
STATEWIDE ADVOCACY: Temple Sinai participates in statewide campaigns by faith organizations for laws to end the state's housing crisis, to provide adequate support for children in poverty, and to set standards for nursing home care. Rabbi Goldwasser is a leader in the Rhode Island Interfaith Coalition to Reduce Poverty, which brings together clergy and laypeople of all faiths to advocate for justice in the Ocean State.
Susan Sklar is the chair of the Social Action Committee. If you would like to be a part of the committee, attend meetings, or just make suggestions, please contact him. Hunger? Poverty? Disaster Relief? Is there a Social Action initiative you would like to see Temple Sinai participate in? Let us know. Put "Temple Sinai Social Action" in the subject line and email the committee at [email protected].
