Working for justice and peace through community service and by addressing social justice and human rights issues here and around the world
The activities of the Social Action Committee are among many at Beth El that aim for
tikkun olam, repairing the world. Our activities promote community service and address social justice and human rights issues locally, nationally, and globally.
View our
Social Action calendar for the year.
The Social Action committee sponors Can for Cans - Beth El's year round food drive, an annual oral rehydration kit preparation project, and other activities such as working towards a fair wage in Virginia and ending the genocide in Darfur. To find out about volunteer opportunities, click on a link below or contact the Social Action chair.
Nothing But Nets Buy a net; save a life. The Union for Reform Judaism is partnering in an effort to eradicate malaria. This disease infects nearly 500 million people each year, kills more than one million of those who become infected and is the leading killer of children in Africa. Further, malaria significantly burdens health care systems and costs approximately $12 billion a year in lost productivity throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, it is preventable. When families use insecticide-treated bed nets, a protective barrier against mosquitoes that carry the disease is formed. One bed net can keep an entire family safe from malaria for up to four years for only $10. And each $10 contribution will be matched by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Beth El Social Action, BEFTY and other groups will be holding fundraisers all year to help the URJ meet its goal of $500,000 for Nothing But Nets.
The Religious Action Center The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC) has been the hub of Jewish social justice and legislative activity in the nation's capital for over 40 years. It has educated and mobilized the American Jewish community on legislative and social concerns as an advocate in the Congress of the United States on issues ranging from Israel and international religious freedom to economic justice and civil rights, to international peace and religious liberty.
American
World Jewish Service AJWS is an independent not-for-profit organization
founded in 1985 to help alleviate poverty, hunger and disease among
the people of the world regardless of race, religion or nationality.
It breathes life into Judaism's imperative to pursue justice and helps
American Jews act upon a deeply felt obligation to improve the chances
for survival, economic independence and human dignity for all people.
V.O.I.C.E .of Northern Virgina - A New Dominion for Justice and Political Participation Beth El is one of the founding members of Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE) of Northern Virginia. This is a broad-based, multi-faith, multi-issue, strictly non-partisan citizens' power organization dedicated to making change on social justice issues (affordable housing, healthcare, immigration) affecting the lives of low- and middle-income residents in four Northern Virginia jurisdictions: Prince William, Fairfax, and Arlington counties as well as the City of Alexandria.
Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger MAZON allocates donations from the Jewish community to prevent and alleviate hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds. Join the tens of thousands of American Jews, and hundreds of synagogues across the United States, in the fight against hunger. MAZON funds emergency food providers, food banks, multi-service organizations and advocacy groups both in this country and abroad.
ALIVE! ALIVE! is the largest private safety net for those in need in Alexandria. Formed in 1969, it is an organization primarily staffed and managed by volunteers representing 40 congregations, including Beth El. Funds are mainly provided through donations and fundraisers like their spring gala/silent auction. Beth El is a sponsor of the Step ALIVE Walkathon held the first Sunday in May to benefit the ALIVE! Child Development Center. Beth El is also responsible for picking up and delivering furniture in September. For more information contact Deborah Schaffer, congregational representative, at
schaffer4@gmail.com
Lunch at the
Bailey's Community Shelter provides its short term residents three meals a day, case management,
and access to Fairfax Country services. It also has an outreach program
for those needing assistance on a drop-in basis. For those who live
outside and resist the structure of a shelter environment; the outreach
service provides a meal, a shower, and laundry facilities. Beth El members
prepare and serve lunches at Bailey's Shelter on the first Sunday of
each month. This is a wonderful family community service project, and
we can always use new contributors. Call Judy Jankowski at (703) 256-6215,
Judy Kramer at (703) 931-9098, or Ruth Perlstein at (703) 978-9341 to
volunteer your help.
Help at the
Carpenter's Shelter The Carpenter's Shelter was written up as one of Washington's 20 Good Local Charities by Washingtonian magazine. On the third Sunday of every month, our congregants (18 years old and up) volunteer as receptionists. We answer the phone, buzz residents in, and generally allow the staff time to work. This commitment lasts for just four hours, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm or 1:00 to 5:00 pm. If that doesn't fit your schedule, please consider receptionist duty at other times during the weekend, or taking children on weekend field trips or other activities.
Contact Social Action Chair Deborah Schaffer via e-mail at or via telephone at (703) 823-0998 for more information.
