Social Action
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Social Action can be defined as people coming together to help improve their lives and solve the problems that are important to their communities.
At Bet Torah, this means we cannot hold ourselves at arm’s length from those who are in need. Our work requires connecting with people who are vulnerable, listening to the stories that they share, and standing up for their needs.
Social Action at Bet Torah is diverse and layered. There are three separate initiatives or committees which function separately but work cooperatively.
They are the Social Justice, Community Service, and Interfaith Working Group.
“You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it (2:21).” Pirkei Avot
Social Justice
Leadership: Elaine Merker
Assistant leader: Linda Dishner
The mission of social justice is to mobilize our community, using Jewish principles of moral righteousness. We operate with respect for the diversity of opinions among our members, as well as respect for the inherent human dignity and worth of every human being.
The current areas of focus for the committee are: Immigrants Rights Initiative, Racial Justice Initiative, and Antisemitism Initiative, Women's Reproductive Rights, Voters Rights and Book Banning.
Contact: eemerker@aol.com
Community Service
Leadership: Michele Posner Supporting Our Community through Action
Community Service maintains year round programs which offer a meaningful volunteer experience for adults and youth, while providing needed services to the community. We do this by partnering with several local organizations. Our four primary partners are Emergency Shelter Partnership, Neighbors Link, The Mount Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry, and The Community Center of Northern Westchester in Katonah. Additionally, we work with the New York Blood Center, Midnight Run, and other initiatives as needs arise.
Contact: Micheleposner@gmail.com
Multifaith Working Group
Leadership: Sandy Kellogg
The Multifaith Working Group brings together Bet Torah congregants with members of other faith-based organizations to share events and information and explore our faiths in a meaningful and respectful manner. It is our hope that through personal interactions and working together, we will build bridges that will strengthen our community and create partnerships of understanding and resilience that will unite us. Born out of the Mount Kisco Interfaith Women’s Teas, Sandy Kellogg has forged this initiative. Since 2019, we have met as a group to discuss our religious practices, share ideas, and plan further initiatives.
If you are interested in finding out more, please contact Sandy Kellogg: sandy.kellogg@gmail.com.
Sat, October 5 2024
3 Tishrei 5785
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Be The Match - Save A Life
As Jews we are instructed to make a difference in the world, to heal, to reach out: not because we need to be recognized but because it is the right thing to do.
There is a great need for donors for Bone Marrow Transplantation. Most families do not have a match within their family, so the reach needs to go further. Unlike other transplants, to be a donor, you don't need to give up an organ. Your body regenerates the bone marrow you have donated. It requires being willing to join the registry, and go through a medical procedure if you are determined to be a match.
We have a congregant who has a close relative facing acute myelocytic leukemia, a form of blood cancer only treatable by bone marrow transplant. He is 30 years old, a young orthopedic surgeon with a full life ahead of him. His best chance for survival is a bone marrow transplant from a donor of Ashkenazi background between the ages of 18-40. If you are able and willing to join the registry for this individual and others, please go to this link: https://bethematch.org/support-the-cause/donate-blood-stem-cells/
It will require a brief questionnaire and receiving a kit to do a cheek swab.
What a mitzvah to simply join the Registry, what a Mitzvah to save a life.
contact us
Contact Liz Schonfeld (SocialAction@bettorah.org) for any additional information on Social Action