Social Action Updates

Anti-Racism Resources

As Jews, we know only too well the experience of being brutalized, branded, and murdered because we were deemed to be a lesser form of life.  So let us be the first and the strongest in affirming the nishmat chayim in every human being, and join vigorously in the call for justice for people of color in America by saying “I can’t breathe unless we learn to let everyone breathe.”  Rabbi Dena Feingold

We are pleased to be able to share this list of Anti-Racism resources and program ideas. They are meant to be starting points for us all to engage in racial justice discussion, collaboration, and action.  The list was developed by our own Sari Kreines, as the Houses Program Manager for of Moishe House. 

Although this is not an exhaustive list, its original intention was as a resource for young adults across the globe to develop and implement independent study and community programming. *Only residents of Moishe House are eligible for the funding mentioned within.

We at Beth Hillel can use this list in our upcoming programming and as a basis for self-study and discussion among ourselves and others in our community.

Thank you, Sari for sharing this with us.

Anti-Racism Resources

On behalf of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism (CSA), it is our pleasure to inform you that Beth Hillel Temple has won a 2019 Irving J. Fain Social Justice Award for your outstanding initiative, Welcome the Stranger Campaign.

As you know, the work of tikkun olam is our sacred mandate, and that work merits recognition and appreciation. The Fain Awards will be presented at the URJ Biennial in Chicago, IL, December 11-15, 2019. It is our hope that representatives from your congregation will attend the Biennial and receive the award certificate during the RAC Leadership Reception on Thursday, December 12 at 5:00pm. As we shine a spotlight on your program at our Movement’s largest gathering, we hope it will serve as an inspiration to the greater Reform Jewish community, encouraging others to undertake similar inspiring initiatives. For more information and to register, please visit www.urj.org/biennial.

We are also excited to let you know that with your Fain Award, you will receive a poster to be displayed at the Biennial, which you will have the opportunity to discuss with other Biennial attendees during a networking session. Daphne Macy (DMacy@URJ.org), Communications Manager, Strengthening Congregations will be in touch within the next few weeks with more details and to gather details from you. Please note that if you see information about applying for a congregational poster at the Biennial, you should ignore it. Fain Award winners automatically receive a poster, and since each congregation is eligible for one poster, your Fain program will be representing your congregation. We are very excited about the opportunity to share your innovative program with the rest of the Reform Movement!