THe Social Action committee
CAI Volunteers spend a summer day planting, seeding, and weeding at Montclair Community Farms, and assisting in its work of engaging the community in urban farming, sustainable agriculture, affordable food access, and healthy foods
The Social Action Committee was established to engage the CAI community in performing acts of Tikkun Olam (Repair the World), and to implement a foundation for strong values.
OUR MISSION is to promote justice and compassion within the Jewish community and society-at-large. This includes activities with other religious groups and diverse communities.
SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE is a participating member of the following organizations:
• Interfaith Hospitality Network
• Northern New Jersey Sanctuary Coalition
• Local Community Food Pantries, including
Toni's Kitchen in Montclair
Caldwell Food Pantry
• Habitat for Humanity
• Montclair Community Farms
ANNUAL AND ONGOING EVENTS include
• Hosting temporarily displaced families on site within the synagogue. This includes all aspects of daily life; sleeping, meals, and activities. Our CAI and local community volunteers come together to assist in this program.
• Providing assistance to individual asylum seekers through the following methods: transportation, medical/dental treatment, job leads, daily activities, computer access, clothing, as well as interfacing with governmental agencies for advice and counseling
• Perpetual food drive for the local community food pantry
• Programming to discuss modern day issues
• Constructing homes in surrounding communities with Habitat for Humanity
• Collaborations with other CAI volunteer groups, including:
The Interfaith Committee
The Environmental Committee
The Israel Committee
CAI Religious School
ON BREAK FOR THE SUMMER
Soup Kitchen with First Presbyterian Church
Our Lady of the Valley, a Roman Catholic Church, operates a soup kitchen for the food insecure in the Orange area. This has been an ongoing ministry at First Pres for several decades. Due to increasing need and costs, CAI has joined in the effort to provide meals every Thursday. (Note: There are also signup slots for Saturday, but CAI is focused on the Thursday slots). Volunteers supply entrees, sweets, hard-boiled eggs, and sides, and/or volunteer to serve at OLV. Click Here for more information.
(Note: Because this is a partnership with First Pres, instructions don't assume a kosher kitchen, but please volunteer for meals you can prepare in your own kitchen).
With a vast array of engagement opportunities that incorporate our Jewish values in repairing the world, we encourage you to contact us and get involved! Contact the Social Action Committee
upcoming events
Family Promise Gift Card Collection
The CAI Social Action Committee is on the calendar to host displaced families for Family Promise of West Essex for the week of July 9-16. Since FPE is no longer permitted to use the parking lot and back entrance to the building where the FPE offices are housed, they can no longer accept large-item donations. They have respectfully requested that host congregations provide ShopRite and DoorDash/Grubhub gift cards for the families. There are currently 4 families in the temporary shelter program, and they are made up of 2 dads, 3 moms, and 8 children — ranging in age from 3-14.
The success of our commitment involves the generosity of our congregation. Any gift card amount that you can contribute will be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for your help with this important act of kindness. Please drop gifts card off at the Main Office during regular office hours (M-Th: 9-4; F: 9-2) by Monday, July 8.
