| Social Action Activities and Programs
Social Action Committee Mission:
The mission of the Temple Sinai Social Action Committee is to educate and develop a community of synagogue members committed to social justice, consistent with the Jewish mandate of Tikkun Olam. We encourage the discussion of issues related to fairness and equality for all people, and take action, including advocacy and direct service.
Family Table Monthly: This Project of Jewish Family and Children’s Services (Waltham) is delivering two weeks of food monthly to approximately 150 families. Each month, Temple Sinai has been providing 30 packages of raisins and 30 packages of crackers (whole wheat preferred). Some food is collected by Religious School Classes. You may deliver additional food to the Family Table container in front of Heidi Smith Hyde's office. Additional food is purchased as a result of donations made by the Board of Trustees. The food is then delivered each month to Family Table in the week prior to the scheduled distribution. This year our food contributions will add up to approximately $1,500.
Environment: The goal is to increase recycling at Temple Sinai and to provide information that will help the greening of Temple Sinai and the community. In collaboration with temple administrator Linda Katz, we have purchased recycling wastebaskets for the Religious School Classrooms and some offices and placed them in strategic locations. Linda has initiated other environmentally-friendly changes, among them using only recycled paper for office and bathrooms and switching to more efficient light bulbs wherever possible. We are continuing to work on effective recycling to try to substantially increase the recycling of 1) paper and cardboard and 2) bottles, cans, and plastic. New environmentally-friendly guidelines are provided for the Onegs.
Past Social Action Related Activities (Sept, 2008 - present)
Areas and Sub-Committees
Environment: See details (above) of this on-going activity.
Healthcare: Continued following of the Massachusetts Healthcare for All program.
Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO): Attendance at various functions to provide information to help us to evaluate whether we will eventually join.
Handicap Elevator : To improve access to the handicap elevator. New signs have been added to each of the elevator locations. This is still a work in progress.
Iraq War (Nancy Greene, Chair): To keep the congregation informed about on-going activities. Information was provided on the Iraq War Rally and March sponsored by United for Peace and Justice in October 2008.
Muslim Initiative (Enid Shapiro, Chair, with Rabbi Vogel): To enhance interactions and understanding.
Publicity : To keep the congregation informed of all activities related to Social Action, updated information is published in the Sinai News and on the web site. Information is also included in the weekly Sinai Update when an event draws near.
| Temple Sinai members rally in support of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts. |