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Social Action

The purpose of the Social Action Committee is to organize programs and projects that engage the congregation in the Jewish mandates of social justice and provide opportunities for tikkun olam. The committee offers the congregation community service opportunities and educational programs.

We strive to advocate for our social justice goals and affirm Jewish values that transcend partisan politics. Temple Beth El participates in many of the initiatives of the Union of Reform Judaism's Religious Action Center. We have action teams focused on immigrants and refugees, racial justice, voter engagement, and environment and climate change. 

The Social Action Committee meets monthly on the first Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm. We welcome new members to our meetings and activities.

Mitzvah Opportunities

 

High Holy Day Food Drive

Every year at Rosh Hashanah, we ask the congregation to remember those in our community without enough food by making a monetary contribution for food aid organizations. The Social Action Committee distributes these funds primarily to Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin along with our other partners fighting food insecurity. 

Thanksgiving Food Drive

We challenge our Religious School students and families to collect food to add to the Goodman Center Thanksgiving baskets, distributed to hundreds of needy families in Dane County.

Allied Wellness Center Personal Supply Drive

Twice a year, around Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, we ask for donations to purchase personal hygiene and cleaning supplies (items not covered by food stamps) for the Allied Wellness Center’s Essentials Pantry. 

Schools of Hope Tutoring

Through the Urban League and Madison public schools, we provide volunteers to mentor middle school students in math. Contact Betsy Abramson at betsy.abramson@gmail.com. 

Thoreau School

We are part of an interfaith project to help families at our neighborhood elementary school, Thoreau, packing and delivering food for school families in need. Contact Vic Levy at levy@uwplatt.edu.

Healing House

Healing House provides housing, meals and care for families experiencing homelessness when a member needs to recover from surgery, illness, or childbirth. We provide cooked meals for the residents four weeks a year. Contact Cathy Rotter at c.rotter.mail@gmail.com.

Catholic Multicultural Center

The Catholic Multicultural Center provides free meals every day to about 70 south side community members and people experiencing homelessness. The center buys and prepares the food, while volunteers serve the food and clean up. We help out the third Tuesday of each month. Contact Sue Levy at slevy51@gmail.com. 

Refugee Resettlement

Jewish Social Services provides case management, job help, and housing for newly arrived refugee families from a number of countries. Our volunteers work to set up their apartments with furniture and food. We also provide summer and after-school tutors for students from one family. Contact Sherie Sondel at sherie.sondel@gmail.com.

April 18, 2024 10 Nisan 5784