Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof
Justice, Justice, You Shall Pursue
(Deuteronomy 16:11)
This Jewish year of 5783 provides fertile ground for a deeper engagement in tikkun olam, the repairing for our world. Our world is full of pain and struggles. We might feel powerless in the face of the enormity of our society’s problems. Yet, Judaism urges us in every moment to pursue justice. Volunteering and working toward justice provide each of us agency and an opportunity to build connections with others.
To increase our impact and to bring the entire community together, we will focus our tikkun olam work in a few external areas: the environment and immigration/refugee support, as well as an internal focus on inclusivity and welcoming.
One of the ways we symbolically and practically demonstrate the importance of tikkun olam as a value is incorporating it as an essential part of the process of becoming B’nai Mitzvah. To support our young people engaging in tikkun olam, this year we will be working with the organization Tzedek America as part of the B’nai Mitzvah process. Tzedek America will find age-appropriate opportunities and support the students’ reflections on their experiences.
Below is an outline of events for the year. For ease of scheduling, the plan is to host a volunteering event on the first weekend of every month. So mark your calendars now! We’ll update this post with more information when it becomes available, and be sure to check our calendar for upcoming events.
As in previous years, we will continue to share volunteer and advocacy opportunities from other organizations. We will continue to have justice themed Shabbatot, including Repro Shabbat and Pride Shabbat. We will also continue to respond to current events through advocacy, education, and direct action. We hope you’ll join us!
Tikkun Olam Events For 2022-23:
September
- Candidate Meet and Greet: September 9
- High Holy Days Blood Drive: September 23-October 7
- JFS Food Drive: September 26-October 5
October
- Yom Kippur Voter Advocacy Sessions: October 5
- JFS Food Sort: October 16
- Angle Lake Stewardship planting event: October 30
November
- Interfaith Prayer Vigil on the Eve of Elections: November 7
- Cold weather kit drive with JFS: November 4-25
- Thanksgiving meal serving: November 24
December
- Tiny home construction: December 3, 9 AM-3 PM
- Chanukah Tzedek actions
- Christmas meal serving: December 25, 9:30 AM-12 PM at Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission
January
- MLK Weekend events with FAME: January 13-16
February
- JFS Tu Bishvat Gift Bag Delivery: February 5
- Angle Lake Forest Stewardship around Tu Bishvat: February 5, 2-4 PM
- Tu Bishvat Lobbying with the Jewish Earth Alliance: February 6 on Zoom
- Multifaith Restorative Justice Coalition Zoom Lobbying Day: February 15
- Repro Shabbat: February 17
March
- Elijah Initiative for Passover
- JFS Passover Snack Drive: March 24
April
- Community Passover Seder with FAME: April 6, 6 PM
- Beautifying Our Bellevue Campus: April 23, 10 AM
- Angle Lake Forest Stewardship: April 29, 10 AM
May
- Tiny Home Building at Sound Foundations NW: May 7, 2 PM (registration closed)
June
- Pride Shabbat: June 23, 6 PM
- JFS Summer Market Gleaning: June 11-September 10
- JFS Summer Farm Gleaning: June 27-September 26
July-August
- Evaluate our accomplishments and plan for next year
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