Social Action Committee - Congregation Agudath Israel

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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

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! Email our CAI Social Action Committee Co-chairs: Karen Eisenberg and Seth Fliegler

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November 28,2023 /
15 Kislev 5784

Synagogue Life

CAI members share their Social Action experience...

Each year, I feel so proud and grateful that the CAI Social Action Committee participates in the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Essex County, because it's the right thing to do. It enables us all to not just "talk the talk" but to "walk the walk". I think of our guests as a wonderful variety of distinct individuals, each with their own characteristics, stories, skill sets and struggles - just like we all have. I always find it curious that I sign up with a sincere desire to help those less fortunate and to make it possible for CAI and all of us to do this important work, but always I find that it is I who is uplifted and transformed. There is always at least one person or family who has touched me so deeply that the world will never be the same.

—Anne Luria Burg, Member of CAI

“Tikkun Olam”, the Jewish imperative to “repair the world”, is at heart of CAI's Social Action Committee. Each participant contributes a little of his/her time and compassion, and together we make a difference in others people's lives. I am proud to be a part of CAI's hosting of 3 to 4 displaced families every summer and participate in providing assistance to the asylum seekers. As these people are trying to cope with the stress of losing their homes, they find a warm welcome when they come to CAI and can take some comfort in knowing someone cares. The same can be said for the two political asylees the Social Action Committee has supported. Small gestures; like driving them to the DMV or inviting them to dinner takes an effort on my part but I know it is helping the political asylees make a new life in the U.S and conveys the important message they are not alone”

—Amy Dell, Member of CAI

November 28,2023 / 15 Kislev 5784