High Holy Day Social Action

By Rabbi Avi B. Fine

Our central work during the High Holy Days is the process of teshuvah, of repentance. It is incumbent on us to reflect on our actions in the past year, assess where we missed the mark and where we succeeded, and redirect ourselves in the coming year. This, too, is the case when it comes to our pursuit of Tikkun Olam.

The pursuit of justice extends from interpersonal interactions to where we spend and donate our money to our support of structures that affect everyone. I invite you to reflect on where you succeeded and where you could improve in your acts of justice. How do you want to be different in the new year? What can you commit to?

Here are some specific questions to ask yourself or discuss as a family, as well as some timely volunteer opportunities:

• Where did I/we donate money this year? What percentage of my income did I donate?

• How did I/we improve life for others this year?

• Do the places I spend money or the institutions that hold my money reflect my values?

• What structures and systems benefit me, and which ones disadvantage me?

• What are some of the greatest challenges facing our community/country/the world? What is my role in being a part of the solution?

• What justice issue do I want to learn more about?

• If you have children, what do you want to teach them about Tikkun Olam this year?

• What Tikkun Olam am I committing myself to do in the year 5784?

Jewish Family Service (JFS) Food Drive and Sort

As in previous years, we are participating in the JFS Food Drive. You will be able to pick up a bag at Rosh Hashanah services, fill it with non-perishable food items, and drop it off at either campus on Yom Kippur. Sunday, October 15th will be a communal food sorting event at JFS.

Yom Kippur Hunger Reflection

The organization MAZON: a Jewish Response to Hunger invites us to use our fast on Yom Kippur to reflect on hunger in America and all those who do not have enough nutritious food to eat. Whether or not you refrain from food, one possibility is to donate the money you would normally spend on food to MAZON or a local food bank.

You can support our social justice work via a donation to the Siegal Tikkun Olam Fund during this year’s Annual Campaign. Learn more about the campaign on page 22.