“We bring Torah into the world when we strive to fulfill the highest ethical mandates in our relationships with others and with all of God's creation…We are obligated to pursue (tzedek), justice and righteousness, and to narrow the gap between the affluent and the poor, to act against discrimination and oppression, to pursue peace, to welcome the stranger, to protect the earth's biodiversity and natural resources, and to redeem those in physical, economic and spiritual bondage. In so doing, we reaffirm social action and social justice as a central prophetic focus of traditional Reform Jewish belief and practice.”

A Statement of Principles for Reform Judaism, Central Conference of American Rabbis, 1999

A basic principle of our faith is Tikkun Olam, “to repair the world,” a concept that is a hallmark of Reform Judaism. This year, Temple Ahavat Shalom is reinvigorating its commitment to Tikkun Olam through a new, comprehensive and integrated approach to social action that makes Tikkun Olam a centerpiece of the Temple’s culture and infuses this priority throughout congregational life.

A Renewed Commitment

TAS’ Social Action Committee has recently been reorganized around this renewed commitment, to be anchored in the creation of deeper, lasting relationships with key organizations pursuing important work toward Tikkun Olam in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, and around the globe. The new framework includes the following elements:

• TAS Social Action Partners: TAS will be developing more extensive, long-term relationships with organizations that are addressing important issues and human needs such as poverty and social services; housing and homelessness; hunger; the environment; international human rights; and Israel. TAS will partner with these organizations and help mobilize congregants to become volunteers and active participants in their activities. Our initial partner organizations include:
  
  
  • SOVA Food Bank: The SOVA food bank in Van Nuys, a program of Jewish Family Service of LA, provides free groceries and supportive services to thousands of men, women, and children every month.
  • MEND (Meeting Each Need with Dignity): This organization works to transform the lives of the neediest residents in the San Fernando Valley, providing emergency food, clothing, medical, vision, and dental care, job skills training and job placement assistance.
  • Jewish World Watch (JWW): JWW works to mobilize synagogues, their schools, their members and the community to combat genocide and other egregious violations of human rights around the world through education, advocacy, and refugee relief.
    
    
• Education and youth programs: Tikkun Olam will become a more significant and structured component of TAS’ Religious School curriculum and youth programs. There will be new opportunities for youth to pursue social action activities based on TAS’ Social Action partnerships. Tzedakah box contributions can directly support the activities of our TAS Social Action Partners as well, and these new partnerships can also offer specific opportunities for Mitzvah Projects that will contribute to TAS’ overall social action commitment.
  
  
• Social Action Shabbats: Approximately once per quarter, Social Action Shabbat services will be held with a special focus on Tikkun Olam, including speakers from TAS’ Social Action Partner organizations. The services will also explore the links between TAS’ social action activities and Torah, Jewish tradition, and Jewish thought.

We Need Your Participation!

This ambitious social action program at TAS offers exciting new opportunities for congregants to get involved and make a difference in our communities. In addition to participating in the activities listed above, the Social Action Committee is seeking volunteers who want to become an active part of planning TAS’ Tikkun Olam program. Please join us at our Committee meetings, typically held on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the TAS Chapel. You can become involved in any of the following ways:

• Serve as a liaison with one of our Social Action Partner organizations
• Become a hands-on volunteer with one of our Social Action Partners
• Help coordinate youth involvement in social action activities
• Assist with organizing a Social Action Shabbat or Social Action speaker event
• Work with TAS students on Mitzvah Projects for their Bar or Bat Mitzvah
• Organize special social action projects helping people and communities in need