Social Action

Be a part of our community’s ongoing work…

The Social Action Committee works to engage our CBI community in efforts to promote social justice. Our Jewish values guide us in education, inspiration and creating opportunities for action.

We are connected to the Religious Action Center (RAC) of the Union for Reform Judaism. The RAC’s vision of “a world overflowing with wholeness, justice and compassion” nurtures our Tikkun Olam partnership with Reform Congregations throughout North America.

All members of CBI are welcome to join the Social Action Committee.

Thank You, CBI

From Steve Netter on Behalf of the Social Action Committee

Today I’m reflecting on how great our December 25 Community Holiday Dinner was. More than 75 volunteers came together to successfully pull off another amazing holiday dinner for our community. The energy you all brought was positive, palpable and contagious. I know our guests felt it and appreciated it.

I hope that many of you were able to connect with our guests. I’m very appreciative of everyone who engaged with them and left them with a positive lasting impression. To our guests, this can be more than just a meal. It’s also about being seen and supported. It was a privilege to be together with our neighbors to celebrate the holiday season.

We packaged around 350 meals and had over 325 knitted hats and scarves available for our guests, lovingly created by our community. No one was turned away and the meals we didn’t distribute were delivered to the Portland Rescue Mission. Many people were supported because of your efforts this holiday season. Thank you!

There are too many people to thank. But a few I would like to give a special shout out to:

First, no amount of thank yous will be enough to Sally Rosenfeld, for once again taking the lead on organizing this tremendous event and for doing a fantastic job leading the cooking team. She amazes and inspires me!

A big thank you to the wonderful team at Lift UP, whose partnership on the holiday dinner is so incredibly valuable. From ensuring we have enough food and supplies to volunteering their time to help in the kitchen and beyond, their dedication is vital to ensuring the success of the event.

A huge thanks to Josh for all he does behind the scenes to support this dinner. And to the office and facilities staff at CBI who always go above and beyond to ensure our needs are met.

A ton of gratitude to everyone in the community who knitted gorgeous hats and scarves. Our guests were able to take the time to pick pieces that fit their personality and style, and we received many comments about how much they loved their knitted gift.

Thank you to Havurah Shalom who provided the oranges and continues to support this event every year.

Thank you to everyone who donated nut butters. The bin filled up throughout the day and will go to support our wonderful partners at Lift UP.

Finally, thank you to every volunteer! This event cannot happen without your dedication, positivity and generosity. Thank you so much!

Tikkun Olam (repair of the world) is what we are called to do. Thank you all for participating in the repair.

Happy Holidays and best wishes to all of you for a wonderful 2026.

Steve Netter

Upcoming Meetings and Ongoing Projects

Social Action Committee Meetings	Interfaith Alliance on Poverty	Tikkun Olam Together: a CBI Circle
CBI’s Social Action Committee meets virtually on at 3:00 PM on the first Wednesday of each month.	We play an active role in the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty, which holds their meetings online at 12:00 PM on the first Thursday of each month (with the exception of an August summer recess).	For more direct action, our CBI Circle, Tikkun Olam Together, organizes monthly (and more) opportunities to pitch in for our community partners across the Portland area.
Click here to get in touch with our Social Action Committee	Click here for more on the Interfaith Alliance on Poverty	Click here to get in touch with Tikkun Olam Together

Social Action Allocations

Robert Peltz (z"l) High Holidays Funds for Food

This year (2025/5786), the CBI Community raised over $70,000 for the Robert Peltz (z”l) High Holidays Funds for Food, greatly exceeding our goal of $40,000. We have allocated these funds to support the efforts of the following community partners:

LiftUP: $10,000
Northeast Emergency Food Program: $7,000
IRCO (Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization): $5,000
Stone Soup PDX: $5,000
NARA (Native American Rehabilitation Association): $5,000
Sunshine Division: $5,000
Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center: $5,000
Urban Gleaners: $6,000
William Temple House: $5,000
Blanchet House: $5,000
PSU Smallwood Food Pantry: $3,000
Rose Haven Day Shelter and Community Center: $4,000
Fred Meyer Gift Cards for Clergy Distribution $2,000

Social Action Spotlight

Nut Butter Drive

Now through the end of January, please bring donations of nut butters to support the food programs of Lift UP. Collection bins are located in the Lipman Foyer and the foyer of the main Sanctuary.”

Support Our Work

CBI’S Social Action Funds	The Robert Peltz (z"l) High Holidays Funds for Food
Three CBI funds—the Social Action I Have a Dream Fund, the Social Action Food Fund, and the Social Action General Fund—support the work we do, and allow us to support our community partners in turn. If you are remembering a loved one or marking a special simcha with a donation to CBI, please consider ensuring that our efforts continue!	Each year, we mark the High Holidays with a Robert Peltz (z"l) High Holidays Funds for Food drive. Contributions to this fund go toward the purchase of food (including culturally-appropriate foods and emergency support) for our Partners in combatting food insecurity.
Click here to make a Social Action contribution Please note that CBI funds are listed on this form alphabetically; you will need to scroll down to the “S” listings for our Social Action Funds.	Click here to donate to the Robert Peltz (z"l) High Holidays Funds for Food

CBI’S Social Action Funds

The Robert Peltz (z"l) High Holidays Funds for Food

Three CBI funds—the Social Action I Have a Dream Fund, the Social Action Food Fund, and the Social Action General Fund—support the work we do, and allow us to support our community partners in turn. If you are remembering a loved one or marking a special simcha with a donation to CBI, please consider ensuring that our efforts continue!

Each year, we mark the High Holidays with a Robert Peltz (z"l) High Holidays Funds for Food drive. Contributions to this fund go toward the purchase of food (including culturally-appropriate foods and emergency support) for our Partners in combatting food insecurity.

Click here to make a Social Action contribution

Please note that CBI funds are listed on this form alphabetically; you will need to scroll down to the “S” listings for our Social Action Funds.

Click here to donate to the Robert Peltz (z"l) High Holidays Funds for Food

Donation Requests

CBI’s Social Action Committee manages two funds—the Social Action General Fund and the Social Action Food Food Fund—which, along with the Seasonal Robert Peltz (z"l) High Holidays Funds for Food, provide grants averaging $1,000 to organizations addressing pressing needs like hunger. Requests are reviewed twice yearly, with time-sensitive needs considered as they arise. Funding requests may be submitted online.

Click here to request support