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.

Refugee Shabbat

Friday night, March 13, CBI will join the global celebration of Refugee Shabbat, sponsored by HIAS.

This commemoration is an opportunity for us to reaffirm our support for refugees, asylum seekers, and all immigrants.

Our guest speaker will be Musse Olol, founder and president of the Somali Council of Oregon (SACOO.)

Throughout the months of February and March, the Social Action Committee is collecting menstrual pads to be donated to SACOO.

Bins for your donations will be available in the foyer of the Chapel and Sanctuary.

Bins will also be onsite during the Purim Schpiel on March 3 and Women’s Seder on March 29

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, generally on at 3:00 PM on the first Wednesday of each month. Our CBI calendar will have ongoing details.	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
Somali American Council of Oregon: $3,000
Annual Community Holiday Dinner Food Distribution: $3,100

Social Action Spotlight

Menstrual Products Drive

Access to menstrual products is a matter of dignity and daily life. Throughout March, CBI is collecting new, unopened menstrual supplies for the Somali American Council of Oregon. We have set up donation bins in the Main Sanctuary and outside Pollin Chapel.

Thank you for showing up for our neighbors; small items make a meaningful difference.

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