Social Justice is the unifying mandate of Reform Judaism, central to who we are and what we do in contributing to Tikkun Olam, repairing the world -- through direct service, Tzedakah (Righteous Giving), and advocacy.
Join us!
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An international crisis is unfolding before our eyes. We were helping them before the war. Now they need us even more. The alarming images coming out of Ukraine are heartbreaking and cause for deep concern for the wellbeing of the country's entire population, including the Jewish community. We are working closely with The Jewish Federations of North America to join hands and hearts in this relief effort to create a united response. Please click here to make a secure donation to our Ukraine Emergency Fund. Early estimates are that an additional $16 million will be needed for immediate and short-term assistance. With your donation, we can continue to be a lifeline.
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“…morally speaking, there is no limit to the concern one must feel for the suffering of human beings, that indifference to evil is worse than evil itself, that in a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible.”
~ Abraham Joshua Heschel
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The Temple Israel Food Drive is now in its 14th month fighting HUNGER – serving our Overtown/Wynwood/Liberty City neighbors because the need is HUGE. More than 38 million Americans are food insecure at this very moment – perhaps your own neighbors or co-workers! Do not for a moment doubt the need for our help on an ongoing basis! It is so easy to buy an extra $10-15 worth of needed items when you do your own grocery shopping – to share your blessings with people who literally go hungry every day.
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This month we are doubling down in support of the Overtown Community Fridge & Pantry (@The Optimist Club of Overtown/1896) -- where Give & Take is the order of the day, serving the homeless as well. MUCH-NEEDED non-perishable items: Tuna, canned vegetables/fruit/beans, granola bars, peanut butter, canned tomato products, pasta sauce, pasta/rice, crackers (Ritz, saltines, Triscuits), healthy snacks. Please be generous, somebody out there is truly depending on you!
Contributions can be dropped off at TI during Shabbat services, Torah Study & Religious School OR during office hours M-Th/9-5 PM and Fridays until 4 PM, adhering to Covid protocols. To give from the comfort and safety of your homes, use INSTACART. Select the non-perishable items, pay online, and have the groceries delivered directly to Temple Israel...Thank you!
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Temple Israel of Greater Miami
137 NE 19th St.
Miami, FL 33132
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BREAKING NEWS: We will resume our time-honored tradition of serving dinner once-a-month at Chapman Partnership (Empowering the Homeless) every 4th Monday of the month from 4:30 - 7:00 PM beginning on Monday, March 28th! If you would like to join our Chapman Team, please contact Elaine Litvak (elitvak273@aol.com). Every volunteer MUST also register in advance HERE. We also sponsor that meal via the Charles Held Jr. Memorial Fund to Feed the Hungry, DONATE HERE.(NOTE: Temple Israel has been associated with the Chapman Partnership since its inception in 1996 as the Homeless Assistance Center.)
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(Register HERE to receive RAC updates directly, and then take a moment to find a way to do your part...EVERY VOICE COUNTS!)
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WHY SHOULD JEWS CARE? Life is sacred in Judaism. Banning potentially life-saving medical procedures and interfering with a patient’s decision-making and moral agency runs contrary to the Jewish commandment to protect life. This belief, combined with biblical and rabbinic emphasis on human dignity, has led the Reform Movement to view the life of the pregnant individual as paramount, placing a stronger emphasis on protecting existing life than on potential life (Exodus 21:22-23).
(NOTE: Take action locally for Repro Rights via NCJW Miami!)
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In December, we collected much needed and much appreciated healthy snacks for the Paul K. Dunbar K-8 Center in Overtown, a school of about 300 kids just blocks away from Temple Israel built when TI member William Lehman z”l was on the Dade County School Board fighting for desegregated schools. Let's keep going by helping with other projects that dedicated teachers have outlined HERE – like “Essential Supplies Needed” for glue sticks, journals, erasers, paper, and scissors in order for Mrs. Daniels’ students to complete their daily assignments. Go, Tigers!
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TZEDAKAH: We are commanded to use our resources to help make the world a more just and compassionate place. While tzedakah is often translated as “charity,” it is derived from the Hebrew root tzadi-dalet-kuf, which means “justice” or “righteousness.” So much more than a financial transaction, tzedakah (righteous giving) builds trusting relationships and can include contributions of time, effort, and insight – from which the giver benefits from giving as much or more than the recipients. Tzedakah is an ethical obligation central to Judaism and who we are.
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As part of the Centennial “Lev of Legends” series, Temple Israel celebrated its rich Social Justice history on January 28th by calling the names of 12 “Keepers of the Flame” who have made exceptional contributions to Tikkun Olam and upon whose shoulders we stand – role models whose selfless commitments to the greater good light our path into the future. Each did so in their own compassionate, fearless way – some behind the scenes and others front-and-center. They showed us how we can help repair the world with intention and purpose, serving those less fortunate than ourselves in the name of human dignity and civil rights. You can watch the full presentation HERE. And you can read those stories in our Social Justice Handbook, which is online HERE and will be mailed to the home of every congregant. Our “Keepers of the Flame” honored Temple Israel by allowing us to call their names, share their stories and be inspired to write our own. There is still a lot of work to be done!
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Social Justice Committee: Gary Brown, Patty Craven, Everton Dias, Raziel Levidis, Diane Lindner (Virtual Tzedakah Box), Elaine Litvak (Chapman Team), Aidan McAdams (TIFTY), Alice Miller (Lotus House), Carla Neufeld, Grace Wright-Pazdra (RAC), Is Perlman, Michael Sagmeister, Julie Scheingoltz (Religious School), Rebecca Stanier-Shulman (Unity), Suzie Sponder (Chapman Xmas Eve Mitzvah Project), Judith Stopek (Homestead), Bunny Uriarte, Tom Wharton, Paula Xanthopoulou (Chair), Julia Zaias.
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