Tzedek Tirdof and Social Action

In keeping with the Jewish foundational belief that each person is created B’Tzelem Elohim, in God’s image, our Beth Sholom community is committed to the values of justice, equity, and tikun olam (repairing the world). Our committee actualizes these values through advocacy endeavors and hands-on activities, including but not limited to:

• Addressing food insecurity through volunteering at local and county-wide initiatives, as well as through advocacy efforts with MAZON. 
  • We prepare and serve dinner four times a year to nearly 200 adults at the Hackensack Family Shelter.
  • We regularly unload and distribute items at Christ Episcopal Church's Faith, Hope, and Love Food Pantry in Teaneck.
  • We grow fresh produce with our hydroponic "Tower Garden," which we then donate to local food pantries.
  • We run multiple food drives during the year, including at Kol Nidre and leading up to Passover.
• Engaging in non-partisan actions protecting voting rights & democracy and promoting voter engagement & education, in partnership with nonpartisan groups such as the Religious Action Center and the League of Women Voters.
• Helping vulnerable populations by participating in county-wide Chanukah toy drives, collecting essential goods for a domestic violence shelter, and partnering with the Jewish Federation on volunteer and mitzvah activities.
• Racial Equity and Inclusion: Running educational programming and book groups to help develop our race consciousness as individuals and as a community and striving to build a welcoming space at Beth Sholom for Jews of all identities.
• Addressing Reproductive Justice through a Jewish lens.
• Through partnership with HIAS, Masorti Olami, and other institutions, engaging in refugee resettlement and advocacy activities.