At Beth Chai, social action is considered an integral — rather than ancillary — congregational program. This is in keeping with our humanist values:
“The freedom and dignity of the Jewish people must go hand in hand with the freedom and dignity of every human being.”
Both our rabbi, through his moral leadership, and our Sunday School director, through use of the weekly tzedakah collection, are directly involved in social action issues and activities. As an independent, relatively small congregation, Beth Chai must be selective about committing our limited resources to particular issues; but those we choose, we commit to fully. Social action at Beth Chai is a democratic effort — the Social Action chair coordinates, but does not impose, projects. All members are welcome to participate, and new ideas are definitely welcome. For information, questions, etc., please contact current Social Action Chair Howard Feinstein, at socialaction@bethchai.org / (301) 564-9482. A summary of annual, current, and selected previous activities follows.
LATINO TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
Beth Chai has a long-term working relationship with Washington, D.C.-based Latino Transitional Housing Project, a non-profit organization that provides housing and related services to immigrant families. Every fall, Beth Chai members participate in a Help-The-Homeless Mini-Walk to raise funds for LTHP’s programs. Those funds, matched 100 percent by overall sponsor Fannie Mae, have increased annually.
Beth Chai representatives met recently with the LTHP staff to plan this year’s additional activities, which include:
ANTI-DISCRIMINATION PROJECT
Consistent with Beth Chai’s emphasis on being an inclusive, egalitarian community, we have undertaken a major effort to combat discrimination and exclusionary policies wherever they appear in the Washington metropolitan area. We have sent letters of support, given legal advice, and raised funds for targets of racially and religiously motivated vandalism, including an African-American church in Charles County, Md.; a synagogue in the District of Columbia; and the Washington Area Jewish Council. Any incidents of this type should be reported to the Social Action chair promptly.
Complementing our projects with Latino Transitional Housing Partnership, Beth Chai has tried to fight anti-Hispanic prejudice, which has risen with the anti-immigration wave in our community. While people can reasonably disagree with regard to national immigration policy, we will not tolerate discrimination against particular ethnic groups generally. And we have engaged in discussions with the Center for Multicultural Human Services, in Falls Church, Va., and other organizations on this issue. As we recite in our Kol Nidre service:
“You shall not wrong the aliens who reside within your land, but shall treat them like the native-born, for you yourselves were once strangers in a foreign land.” — Leviticus 19
OTHER ANNUAL PROJECTS
During the High Holy Days, we collect grocery and prescription cards, as well as non-perishable food items, for distribution through the Jewish Social Services Agency. Each spring, we hold a Community Work Day. This event gives members the opportunity to take part in activities such as cleaning up Sligo Creek in Silver Spring, Md.; making gift baskets for Revitz House, a residence for seniors and people with physical disabilities adjacent to the Jewish Community Center in Rockville; and making and collecting toys for the Children’s Inn at the National Institutes of Health.
ISSUE ADVOCACY
Because of our status as a non-profit, religious organization, Beth Chai does not take part in electoral politics, legislative lobbying, or related activities. We do, however, take stands on issues in accord with our fundamental belief in humanitarian principles. Beth Chai remains actively involved in the campaign against genocide in Darfur: We participate in the noontime demonstration that takes place each Wednesday at the Embassy of the Sudan in Washington, and we have collected signatures on petitions to the White House supporting an aggressive American position on this issue. We also signed on to an international petition calling for a ban on torture, in addition issuing our own statement:
“We oppose the use of torture of any kind, and call upon the President, the Attorney General, and all world leaders to treat all prisoners humanely.”
KING DAY PROGRAM
At our Adult Education sessions on Martin Luther King holiday weekend, we present a special program dedicated to the importance of working, as a congregation and as individuals, toward a more equitable and just society. Speakers for this event have included Florence Isbell, former colleague of Rev. King and mother of Beth Chai member Peggy Robin; Juanita Evangeline Moore, whose parents, statewide Florida civil rights leaders, were murdered by the Ku Klux Klan 1951; Daryl Davis, a local civil rights activist who successfully “converted” Ku Klux Klan leaders away from their racist views; and various Beth Chai members active in civil rights initiatives.
OTHER PROGRAMS
In 2008 Beth Chai members will be providing entertainment, reading, discussion programs, and other services for residents of homes operated by the Jewish Foundation for Group Homes. We are also taking part in a program, initiated by the Jewish Community Relations Council, that brings together social action representatives from area congregations to compare program ideas and coordinate selected activities. Beth Chai board member Ron Leve attended a December 2007 conference kicking off this initiative.
In past years, the congregation has undertaken emergency efforts to aid resettlement of Hurricane Katrina evacuees in the Washington area; provided educational and financial assistance to immigrants from former Soviet Union nations; and other action as needs have arisen.