Suggested Ingredients to Synagogue Social Justice Initiatives

The list below is obviously based on ideals. It is a standard to strive for, rather than a list of expected outcomes for every social justice engagement. Nonetheless, reviewing these questions before and after engaging in a social justice activity may stimulate some helpful reflection on what was achieved, as well as a way to plan thoughtfully for the future.
 

Planning: Laying the groundwork and vision.
 

• The Social Action Committee has a strong infrastructure, including:
  
  • Clear roles
     
  • Financial resources
     
  • Representation on synagogue board
     
  • Staff support as needed.
     
• Communication about social justice programs and coordination among programs is a high priority.
   
• The synagogue mission statement reflects its commitment to social justice work and is effectively publicized to the congregation.
   
• The project planners and/or the Social Action Committee have developed goals and a plan for accomplishing them.
   
• Social justice programming includes time for planning, education, action, reflection, and evaluation.
   
• An individual or group has responsibility for publicity (collecting and sharing knowledge) about social justice initiatives throughout the congregation.
   
• Appropriate training is provided to all volunteers.
   
• Internal feedback and evaluation mechanisms are present.
   

Leadership: Getting the right people involved.
 

• The rabbi, synagogue staff, and board provide leadership and support as needed.
   
• Responsibility for project oversight is shared among different people.
   
• More than one person plays a central leadership role.
   
• Several people play supporting roles.
   
• Future leaders are actively cultivated.
   
• Leaders representing different constituencies (religious school, Sisterhood, etc.) within the congregation are engaged to support social justice initiatives.
   
• Leadership strives towards the long-term sustainability of initiatives.
   

Congregational Involvement: Involving the different parts of the congregation.
 

• There are a significant number of volunteers and clear strategies for recruiting new volunteers.
   
• People are provided with a range of ways to volunteer, recognizing availability and interests, including both one-shot and ongoing projects.
   
• There is coordination among youth group, sisterhood, brotherhood, preschool, Religious School, senior citizen groups, adult education, and others.
   
• Opportunities are geared toward various populations, including youth, adults, seniors and families.
   
• Families are provided with opportunities to engage in social justice work together.
   
• The congregation sees the social action committee as the nexus of social justice activity in the congregation.
   

Partnership: Working with others.
 

• Social justice work is done with a partner agency (usually non-profit and community based) that is experienced with the problem and/or population the synagogue is intending to work with.
   
• The team (synagogue and partner) has developed a shared understanding about their joint work plan and each other's roles.
   
• Regular communication between the partners occurs about their respective needs and resources.
   
• Training is provided for leaders on building strong partnerships.
   
• Partners are large and diverse enough to meet your need.
   
• Partners have experience working with volunteers and are willing and interested in developing new projects.
   

Education (Jewish and Issue-Based): Learning about the context of the work.
 

• Social action projects are a manifestation of the synagogue’s Jewish values and reflect the ruach (spirit) of a covenantal community committed to justice and Tikkun Olam. Congregants publicly articulate this perspective.
   
• Volunteers lead and participate in Jewish learning as an ongoing component of their work.
   
• Volunteers have opportunities to deepen their understanding of root causes of the issues on which they are working.
   
• Volunteers have had opportunities to develop an understanding of the community in which they are volunteering.
   
• Educational opportunities are varied (lectures, articles, etc.).
   

Action: Making change happen.
 

• Volunteers meet actual needs that are known and can be articulated.
   
• The work of volunteers has some impact on the larger social issues that could be measured.
   
• Volunteers have opportunities to provide a service for others. The service is empowering (taught a valuable skill, promoted self sufficiency, etc.).
   
• Volunteers have opportunities to engage in advocacy efforts to change public policy.
   
• Synagogue members have the opportunity to join in a community organizing campaign, where the purpose is to work alongside others and build power (such as the civil rights movement or affordable housing coalitions).
   
• Opportunities for grass roots, hands-on work exists in the greater community.
   
• Volunteers have the opportunity to develop a relationship with someone different than her/himself (socio-economically, racially, ethnically, etc.)
   

Reflection: Looking inward.
 

• Time is allotted for reflection activities.
   
• Reflection activities are designed to help the participant make connections between the education they received about the issue, the Jewish learning they did, and the action they took.
   
• Reflection activities challenge participants to think in new ways, explore issues deeply, but within a “safe” environment.
   
• Reflection activities are continuous - before, during, and after taking action.
   
• Reflection activities are varied: individual and in groups; structured and free form; with peers, coordinators, and the community organizations; using various skills and interests (art, writing, photos, prayer, etc.).