The Social Justice Committee views its mission as "Tikkun Olam" repairing the world. Simply, Social Justice is putting our faith into action.

Objectives:

• Encourage congregational and individual involvement in important issues affecting the entire Houston community
• Keep congregants updated on important social issues
• Undertake projects that affect the larger community
• Sponsor forums or workshops on issues relevant to the community and to our congregation
• Recommend policy positions on social justice issues to the Board of Directors of the congregation

It is our belief that whatever happens in our community affects us, not only as Jews, but as interested and concerned citizens, and that it is our responsibility to act as a resource, as leaders and as a source for good and for justice.

New committee members are always welcome. For more information or to find out how you can get involved, contact:

Rabbi Mark J. Miller
mmiller@beth-israel.org

Committee Co-Chairs:
Linda May
lmay@thesimmonsfoundation.com

Chip Rothschild
ghrothschild@marathonoil.com

Current Projects
Current projects are listed below. However, suggestions for additional social justice efforts are always welcome.

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Braes Food Pantry
Beth Israel supports the local food pantry by providing financial contributions and donations of non-perishable foods. Additionally, a congregant acts as liaison to the Pantry and serves on its Board of Directors. There is always room for more involvement…hunger does not go away and in the city of Houston, the majority of people fed by hunger programs are employed full-time at wages insufficient to cover basic living expenses.

SEARCH
SEARCH is a local organization that serves the homeless, and Beth Israel provides a representative to serve on the SEARCH Council. Homelessness is a persistent community issue, and support services are needed and appreciated.

JCC-Meals on Wheels
Beth Israel helps provide drivers for the Meals on Wheels Program through the Jewish Community Center. Volunteers are needed. A commitment may be as little as four (4) hours a month or as many as two (2) hours or more a week. The infirm and elderly need nutritious meals 365 days a year.

Summer Internship Program
This program places Beth Israel high school and college students in nonprofits, government social service agencies and in businesses and corporations for several weeks over the summer. Because the student interns are serious about learning and contributing, the host organizations are eager to take advantage of their help.

Disaster Relief
In times of local need and disaster, Beth Israel historically steps up to help the community and encourages its members to assist in whatever ways they can. In 2005, our congregation mobilized our members to help with the local Katrina/Rita disaster relief efforts—volunteering at various agencies, working at the Astrodome and the Convention Center evacuation centers, etc. Many in the New Orleans Jewish community came to Beth Israel for help. Shlenker School opened its classrooms to more than 40 displaced children. Many families stayed, making Beth Israel, Shlenker and Houston their home.

Mitzvah Day
Although we believe every day should be Mitzvah Day (that is, helping someone in some fashion every day of our lives) we set aside one day a year during which our congregation provides hundreds of volunteers across the city.

There are hundreds of volunteer choices providing a wonderful opportunity for families to engage in humanitarian work together…children, parents and grandparents. There is always work to be done—on a grand scale and in smaller ways, each meaningful.

The Metropolitan Organization (TMO)
This organization provides an avenue for congregants to be involved in large-scale issues that have an impact on our entire community such as healthcare, education, safety and immigration. Working together with a broad spectrum of religious institutions from across the community, along with professional and other affinity groups, we have the opportunity to interact in a meaningful way with others on issues that affect our families, our neighborhoods, our schools and our community.

For more information on this organization, click on TMO of Houston.

Due to the large response of interested congregants, TMO has become the largest subcommittee of the Social Justice Committee, and is active year round. It is clear that our involvement in TMO is meeting a need within our own community to become deeply engaged in issues as a congregation. New committee members are always welcome.

Joint TMO/Beth Israel Seder
As part of our TMO involvement, in 2006 Beth Israel initiated its first TMO-Beth Israel Seder. It afforded those involved in TMO an opportunity to join us in celebration and observance of Passover. TMO guests were able to share our traditions with the Social Justice Committee and Beth Israel Board members in a spirit of mutual respect and understanding. Check our calendar for the date of our second annual TMO/Beth Israel Seder.