“You are not required to finish the work. Nor are you free to turn from it.” This well-known saying from the Pirke Avot captures the struggle with tikkun olam (repair of the world) that contemporary Jews face — what to do? how much? for whom? At the SAJ, we have several ways of answering those questions.

Social Concerns Committee

The Social Concerns Committee sponsors a variety of activities through the year designed both to raise awareness of issues of social concern in the SAJ community, and to do what we can to alleviate these issues. The committee sponsors an annual Kiddush luncheon that focuses on a particular issue and initiative. At its 2007 luncheon, the committee launched the Maimonides Fund for Microcredit.

Other initiatives have included collections for Katrina victims, annual winter coat drives (in conjunction with New York Cares), and Yom Kippur food pantry drives.

Global Synagogue Partnership with the AJWS

The SAJ became the first synagogue to participate in the American Jewish World Service's new program of “global congregations.” This association affirms our commitment to be global citizens; that is, our concern reaches across the world to those in need anywhere.

Darfur Actions

Genocide in Darfur continues. To create more awareness of this tragedy, the SAJ participated in a Save Darfur rally in Washington, DC, on April 30, 2006. The SAJ also joins other synagogues and churches in our area that have hung banners proclaiming “A call to conscience / Save Darfur.org.” The banner refers people to a website with more information. The JCC in Manhattan has urged all Upper West Side synagogues to display the banner. For more information and specific suggestions on how to take action on Darfur, visit www.savedarfur.org.

“Who Knows One?”

“I urge you to join me at this rally to urge our country and the world
to act to stop the genocide in Darfur.”
—Rabbi Michael Strassfeld, on the 2006 demonstration
A Passover reflection by Rabbi Strassfeld will be of interest to everyone concerned about this Darfur, and all Darfurs.

Manhattan Together

The SAJ is a member of Manhattan Together (formerly Upper Manhattan Together), an organization composed by Manhattan synagogues, churches and nonprofit institutions.  Manhattan Together is involved in maintaining and building affordable housing, improving public school education and helping new immigrants.  SAJers attend meetings and participate in actions and advocacy on behalf of Manhattan residents.

See the calendar for information about upcoming Manhattan Together events.

Tikkun Olam Advocacy Network (TOAN)

The Tikkun Olam Advocacy Network is a group of SAJ members who conduct social justice projects and distribute social action information to a mailing list of TOAN members. In 2005-2006, TOAN raised more than $23,000 from fellow SAJers to provide malaria-prevention bednets to villagers in Malawi.

In 2007, TOAN, working with American Jewish World Service and The Stephen Lewis Foundation, will raise funds to support community-driven responses to the African AIDS pandemic, especially organizations run by women and people living with AIDS that use innovative approaches to providing home care for severely ill people and help support grandmothers and extended families caring for orphans and vulnerable children.

Friends of the Planet

SAJ Friends of the Planet works to raise members’ awareness of steps each person can take to help fight climate change. Simple steps are published monthly in “The SAJ E-Bulletin.” Friends participated in SAJ’s Hebrew School Chesed Day educational event. Also, we are in contact with City Councilwoman Gale Brewer’s Task Force, with JRF’s Sustainable Life Omer Project and with neighborhood synagogues to share experiences and information about individual responsibilities for reducing carbon emissions. Congregants who would like to create and implement educational/environmental projects are invited to contact Friends of the Planet through the synagogue office.

Hazon

The SAJ supports Hazon, a group that focuses on Jewish outdoor and environmental education, including bike rides, cooking classes, and other activities. For more information, contact www.hazon.org.

Mazon

The SAJ is a partner of MAZON, an organization that allocates donations from the Jewish community to prevent and alleviate hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds. For more information, contact www.mazon.org.