The Social Action Committee (SAC) provides opportunities for congregants to fulfill our obligation for Tikkun Olam through local, statewide and national activities designed to better the lives of those struggling with contemporary issues such as homelessness, hunger, and social isolation.  As one illustration, SAC volunteers with the Interfaith Housing Initiative (IHI) which works in conjunction with other Greensboro congregations to find housing solutions for those in need in our community.  Currently, the committee’s main endeavors are immigration reform and voter education, which are two of the priorities for Reform Judaism as well.  Another interest is mental health awareness and education.  Which they have worked on through their Kavanah Project and partnership with The Kellin Foundation, whose mission is to strengthen resilience among children, families, and adults through trauma-informed behavioral health services aimed at supporting mental and emotional well-being. It does this by providing free services to about 12,000 individuals each year, extending behavioral health services to those who otherwise lack access to this essential care.  In addition, SAC is responsible for certain cyclical events, including the annual Martin Luther King Jr. service and the Feast of Caring, as well as for time-limited projects (food drives, for instance).

 

Key Initiatives

 

Temple Emanuel is part of the IAHI (Interfaith Affordable Housing Initiative), a network of local congregations in Greensboro who have come together to address issues of affordable housing.

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Immigration Reform, aims to welcome the strangers among us by speaking out and supporting our immigrant neighbors through a variety of initiatives, such as visiting detainees at the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, GA, and hosting educational events for the congregation. Temple Emanuel has become a part of the Interfaith Immigrant Justice Coalition of Greensboro, where faith communities all throughout Greensboro work together to support initiatives and organizations in Greensboro that work directly with the immigrant populations of our local community.

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Voter Engagement:

With an eye on inclusivity in our electoral process, the committee is working to foster greater voter participation. Yearly the committee hosts candidate forums to educate voters on our local city and county elections.

 

For further information about the Social Action Committee or to get involved in one of its initiatives, contact Shira Snyder in the Temple office.