Social Action
The Religious (Social ) Action Committee keeps the congregants of Temple David aware and involved in a variety of programs and activities that are all focused on the Jewish principle of “Tikkun Olan” (repairing the world). These activities include educational programs and discussions of problems facing persons in the Pittsburgh region, providing donations to local food banks and women’s shelters, sponsoring events to raise funds for local charities and organizing an annual Religious Action Shabbat Service that explores a social action theme in depth. Through the many programs sponsored by this Committee, Temple David members increase their awareness of a variety of issues facing our world, and offers great opportunities for social action, long a part of the Jewish tradition.
Some of the activities sponsored by the Committee in 2011-2012 include:
- The High Holiday Food Drive for the Crossroads Food Pantry which surpassed all other years in the amount of food donations
- The Fill the Need “Food Bank” experience which received a grant from the Men of Reform Judaism to support a “soup kitchen” basic meal program that involved the cooking of homemade soups by members of Temple David and the Greater Pittsburgh Moslem Center and a Sunday gathering to to live the “soup kitchen” experience and raise funds for needy families. Over $500 was raised for area food banks operated by the Monroeville Assembly of God Church and the Garden City Methodist Church.
- Participation in the Jewish Social Action Roundtable led by Temple David member Marc Yergin
- Applied for a grant from the Millstein Foundation to make the bima accessible
- Involvement with PIIN (Pittsburgh Interfaith Involvement Network) including Shabbat Service
- Sponsoring a Disability Service led by Temple David member Susan Bortz featuring and featuring Jessica Feldman Director of the Howard Levin Clubhouse – a warm, welcoming community where adults whose lives have been disrupted by mental illness come together to discover and develop their strengths and abilities, build self-confidence, and gain valuable social and vocational skills that prepare them for more productive, rewarding, meaningful lives
We greatly appreciate as many Temple David members as possible to help us with our exciting and rewarding programs!
- Ann Cohen, Chair