Social Action

Tikkum Olam—repairing the world—is central to our community and our faith.  The Social Action Committee connects Kol Ha’Emek with the wider community through activities that support the needs of others.   The importance and the joy of Tikkum Olam are conveyed to our children from their earliest days in Hebrew School.  Members of the congregation can become involved in social action activities in a variety of ways and at a level of frequency that fits their time and interest.

There are many ways to get involved in UVJC social action:

• Purchase a Bimah Basket: a beautiful food filled basket to adorn the Bimah and party tables in place of traditional flower bouquets.
• Contribute to High Holiday Tzedakah: collected on Erev Yom Kippur to support one local organization and one Jewish or Israeli organization.
• Fill a bag for a Food Drive:  organized several times a year to help keep local food pantries stocked.
• Join The Haven’s Hixon House Dinner Team: help cook, serve, and share dinners with residents living at The Haven’s Hixon House scheduled for the third Monday of the month.  Contact Alice Berliner at alb172cs@gmail.com to volunteer.
• Join The Listen Dinner Team: help cook or serve dinner for about 100 people at the Listen Center in White River Junction the fourth Tuesday of the month.  Contact Susan Cohen at sncohen037@gmail.com to volunteer

Other activities supported by the Social Action Committee:

Hebrew School Coordination: inviting B’nai Mitzvah students to share the stories of their Mitzvah projects in the Connection.

UVJC Immigrant Support Committee:  For many in our congregation, the plight of immigrants and refugees deeply resonates with our Jewish history.  The UVJC Immigrant Support Committee works to support and advocate for immigrants.    For more information, contact Carolyn Gordon at csgordon@dartmouth.edu

United Valley Interfaith Project (UVIP):  The UVJC is a member congregation of the UVIP, a consortium of local faith-based organizations working for social justice through community organizing.   Past and some current work of the UVIP has focused on Immigrant Justice, Economic Justice and Aging with Dignity.    The UVIP invites your input on other issues to address.   One possibility under consideration is Climate Change.   For more information or to get involved in the work of UVIP, contact Carolyn Gordon at csgordon@dartmouth.edu.

Consider attending a Social Action Committee meeting, sharing your ideas with a committee member or helping plan and organizing one or more of the activities listed above.  To get involved contact UVJCSocAction@gmail.com or a member of the Steering Committee:

Chair:  Lynn Schwartz  lynn.s.schwartz@gmail.com

Secretary:  Iris Berezin  irisberezin@myfairpoint.net

Carolyn Gordon  carolyn.s.gordon@dartmouth.edu

Alice Berliner  alb172cs@gmail.com

Pamela Hausler  pamela.hausler@gmail.com

Roseanne Kramer  roseanne.kramer@gmail.com