Jewish Reconstructionist Federation

The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation is once again enthusiastically joining Jewish communities, organizations and individuals from around the world in celebrating a month of social action and Jewish unity. The Hebrew month of Heshvan – which in 2009/5770 will be from October 19-November 17, 2009 – has been declared Jewish Social Action Month (JSAM).

In the words of JSAM in Israel: "The huge amount of social action work the JRF is involved in, at a global, national and local level makes your involvement and support of great import to this initiative."

Whether you call it Tikkun Olam, social action, chesed - Join thousands of Jewish organizations and individuals around the world of all backgrounds and affiliations for a month of unity through social action. Volunteer with children, rally for Darfur, clean up a river, feed the homeless, raise money for Sderot, paint a mural – or do whatever you are passionate about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFsWZgGmo4E

This year’s Jewish Social Action Month promises to be once again an amazing time of increased unity and positive action involving Jews from many countries and perspectives. Every group or individual is welcome to mark Jewish Social Action Month in the way that is most meaningful to them and their community. Heshvan can be a month to launch new social action projects or increase your existing efforts. The actions can be large scale projects or simple acts of individual kindness. They can be focused on the Jewish community, on tikkun olam, on the environment. Jewish Social Action Month presents endless possibilities for each individual, community and organization to make a difference. Each act is important in itself and helps strengthen this global Jewish effort to make the world a better place.

Jewish Social Action Month is an initiative of KolDor, a global network of young Jewish leaders and socialaction.com. Its launch two years ago saw a remarkable response. Political support came from the Presidents of both Israel and the United States of America, British parliamentarians, US senators and congressmen, Israeli Knesset members and others. A wide spectrum of Jewish religious groups (including the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation and Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association), major institutions, youth groups, communal organizations and many others from around the world endorsed the initiative and created exciting and widespread programs. Jewish Social Action Month was introduced into the Jewish calendar and into the lives of many. A few examples, such as the efforts to help the homeless of Britain and Brazil, environmental projects in Israel, seminars on social action in Mexico, assisting the victims of hurricanes in America and earthquakes in Pakistan, give some sense of the range of activities inspired by Jewish Social Action Month. See www.cheshvan.org and www.socialaction.com for a fuller indication of partners and projects.

JRF is particualrly excited about our renewed partnership given our Sustainable Synagogue and Birkhat HaChamah Initiatives, Darfur advocacy, Congregational Based Community Organizing, Anti-Poverty and Hunger coalition participation and many more resources that can be found at jrf.org/to.

For more information visit www.Cheshvan.org.

JRF RELATED ACTIVITIES

• Action to address the Darfur, Sudan crisis
• Omer Tikkun Olam Project
• Sustainable Synagogue Resources
• Anti-Poverty and Hunger resources
• Congregation-Based Community Organizing
• JRF Social Justice Partners
• JRF Social Justice Resolutions and Congregational Guidelines
• Tikkun Olam Resource Library
• Service Learning