Social Action Update from the URJ

Here are some things from the URJ for Social Action.  

Featured Projects and Events

Get Out the Vote 
It is our civic duty to register promptly, educate ourselves about the critical issues and vote. Visit ourwebsite for information about hosting a voter registration drive, issue night or learning the “do’s and don’ts of pulpit politics.”

Sweeten your New Year!
With the High Holy Days just around the corner, we’re here to help you incorporate timely social justice themes into your holiday observance with our Days of Awe: Social Action Guide for the High Holidays.

Shake This: Social Justice and Sukkot
Looking for a way to highlight social justice in your sukkah? Our Sukkot Social Action guide provides resources on how to incorporate social justice issues into this festive holiday. To view all holiday guides, see our Holiday Guides Resource. 

Tzevet Mitzvot: Young Adult Mitzvah Corps, December 20-25, 2008.
Do you know a young adult, aged 25-35 who is interested in joining fellow Reform Jews for an intensive week of volunteering, study and worship? Encourage them to join our Tzevet Mitzvot trip to help rebuild New Orleans this December!

Consultation on Conscience
Save the Date: April 19-21, 2009

Demand Health Care Reform as a Priority in your State
Help set the agenda! Invite candidates for your state’s legislature to your congregation to discuss their views on health care or organize a letter-writing campaign to support health care reform. Materials including sample letters and program suggestions available on our website.

Month-by-Month Guide to Programming

Plan ahead using our Social Action Calendar.

October 
15th Annual Children’s Sabbath, October 17–18, 2008
In the United States today, 9 million children do not have health care coverage and 13 million children live in poverty. The Children’s Defense Fund provides information and program materials for congregations to demand justice for future generations.

Jewish Social Action Month: Cheshvan, October 30–November 27, 2008
Cheshvan is known as MarCheshvan, a month of bitterness because it contains no Jewish holidays. By launching new social action initiatives, participating in community service projects or highlighting existing efforts, we can remove the bitterness from the month and make a difference in our community.

November
Stuff Your Thanksgiving with Social Justice! November 27, 2008.
Add an additional layer to this national holiday by incorporating tikkun olam into your celebration. For ideas, including creative food drives, hunger banquets and pulpit exchanges, view our National Holiday Guide.

December:
World AIDS Day, December 1, 2008.
World AIDS Day brings attention to the nearly 40 million people infected with HIV around the world. Programming materials are available at our World AIDS Day site.

Spread the Light of Chanukah: Ner Shel Tzedakah, December 22–29.
The Ner Shel Tzedakah (Candle of Righteousness) Project encourages families to devote the 6th night of Chanukah to learning about issues of poverty. For additional Chanukah program materials, visit our website.