Social Action

A major focus of Humanistic Judaism is social action. Our purpose is to elevate the dignity of our fellow human beings. We can help empower people to navigate the courses of their lives.

We can be most supportive of those in need by performing social action on a regular basis. Our goal for CHJ this year is to increase the frequency and consistency of our enabling activities. Another goal is to enlist the help of our entire community by providing all members the opportunity to participate. We want to put ACTION into Social Action.

Hanukkah Party Gift Donations

As an adjunct to the CHJ Hanukkah Potluck Dinner Party 2022, participants were asked to bring a new, unwrapped gift to donate to under-privileged children. The gifts, and there were many of them as evidenced in the photos below, were delivered to the Holiday Store at the Ralphola Taylor Community Center in Bridgeport, CT. Approximately 100 children from low income families “shop” at the Holiday Store to buy presents for family members. The currency used by the children were points awarded for good behavior during after-school activities, and for completing their homework.

CHJ Journey to Social Justice
Invitation to complete a 1-hour training course

As part of the Journey to Social Justice, we are encouraging CHJ members to complete a virtual training called: Bystander Intervention – 5 things anyone can do when encountering harassment in public.

This training will help us all make a commitment to end harassment.

The one-hour, interactive training presents Hollaback!’s 5Ds of bystander intervention methodology. You’ll learn what to look for and the positive impact that bystander intervention has on individuals and communities. You’ll learn five strategies for intervention: distract, delegate, document, delay, and direct; and how to prioritize your own safety while intervening. We’ll have time at the end for practice, and you’ll leave feeling more confident intervening the next time you see Anti-Black, Anti-Asian/American or gender-driven harassment.

Hollaback has changed its name to Right To Be! See their schedule of upcoming workshops HERE! Then, sign up for one!

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Take Climate Action Now!

…as promised post- Climate Shabbat and Tu B’shvat seder

First –Tell your senators to pass the strong Build Back Better Act we need to fight climate change and create a healthy and fair future for America – sign petition:

https://www.climaterealityproject.org/act

Second – Join Dayenu – A Jewish Call to Climate Action: Become a member, opt-in to get info

https://dayenu.org/action#content

Third – Speaker Amy Larkin urged us to attend shareholder meetings of the big polluters (buy 1 share of stock or perhaps already own it) and demand reduction of carbon emissions, now!

The post-Inauguration Day Women’s March brought CHJers out in Washington DC, New York, Stamford, Florida, California… and wherever they found themselves.

With every mass shooting, Gun Safety jumps to the forefront of the country’s attention. But the proliferation of high magazine guns and assault rifles among ordinary citizens and the refusal of Congress to impose any limits on ownership has resulted in CHJ members voting it the issue most deserving of our activism. On Dec. 13, 2015, ten CHJ members joined a rally in Norwalk sponsored by Moms Demand Action, a campaign of Everytown for Gun Safety.

I Wearing a touch of orange, walkers are (front row): Lisa Finn, Barbara Jay, Joan Shaw, Marcia Kosstrin, Jeff Greenberg; (rear row): Steve Ulman, Cary Shaw, Nancy Barrer, Larry Gall. Present but missing from the photo: Donna Soucy, George Rockmore and Ava.

Community Plates is a “food rescue” organization that moves good food from stores and restaurants to food pantries and soup kitchens in our communities. Volunteers sign up as “food runners” to bring food from one location to another. CHJ can make a big difference in our and neighboring communities by committing to regular runs on certain days each week. Working with Community Plates achieves the following goals:

Opportunity for our members to help others in our own and neighboring communities
Sense of community from all of CHJ working on the same project
Regular, long-term commitment to community service
Appropriate for families, couples, friends, or singles
“Ease of use” – easy to sign up, short time frame for each run.

Community Plates is a new idea for Social Action. If you would like to join, please write to the Social Action chair. CHJ members also engage in less frequent but meaningful service activities throughout the year, such as participating in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk and collecting money for the CT Food Bank.

Our Sunday School schedules two Mitzvah Days each school year. Students make 100-200 lunches for a Bridgeport soup kitchen and some of the students hand-deliver them.

Throughout the year, we make volunteer and tzedakah opportunities available to our members through our own programs and also through partnerships with other congregations and local social agencies. The Committee presents a number of Adult Education or evening programs as well as interactive presentations to the Sunday School during their Shalom sessions. All CHJ members are invited to organize and engage in Social Action. There are numerous opportunities to teach, share your passion for volunteering, and address matters of social justice in the Jewish community, the Fairfield County community, and the world at large. Join us! Let the Social Action chair know how you can participate.