1972 NW Flanders Street, Portland, Oregon 97209 | (503) 222-1069
1972 NW Flanders Street, Portland, Oregon 97209 | (503) 222-1069
Congregation Beth Israel’s Social Action Committee works with Rabbi Joseph to promote social justice and set priorities for CBI’s call to action through programming and volunteer opportunities. This group provides a myriad of programs that support causes through education, advocacy, direct service, and interfaith coalition building. This committee is only open to members of CBI.
A particularly beautiful CBI tradition is our annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Shabbat Service, where leaders of the Civil Rights Movement (previous speakers include Congressman John Lewis, activist and journalist Myrlie Evers-Williams and acclaimed public interest lawyer Bryan Stevenson ) speak and our choir joins with the NW Gospel Choir to honor Dr. King’s memory, work, and enduring legacy. Our 2021 service will take place via Zoom. Experience moving moments from past Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Shabbat Services and hear from current city and state leadership.
You may view a recording of this event here.
The Social Action Committee is responsible for recommending allocations from the Social Action Tribute Funds to the CBI Board.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic we have allocated over $83,000. Most of these funds have been directed to organizations that have pivoted their activities to meet immediate increased needs (especially food insecurity) related to the Pandemic. The CBI Board approved the following allocations.
From Food Fund:
February 2021
Blanchet House – $2,000
Sunshine Pantry – $1,000
Native American Rehabilitation Association (NARA) – $1,000
Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) -$1,000
January 2021
Blanchet House – $2,000
Oregon Food Bank – $1,000
July/August/September 2020
Lift Urban Portland – $2500
Sunshine Pantry – $2500
Urban Gleaners – $2500
Northeast Emergency Food Pantry – $2500
May/June 2020
Portland Backpack Project – $ 1,000
Urban Gleaners – $ 3,000
Oregon Food Bank – $ 8,000
Stone Soup PDX – $ 2,000
Lift Urban Portland – $ 2,500
From General Social Action Tribute Fund:
January 2021
North By Northeast Community Health Center – $1,000
Interfaith Alliance on Poverty -$500
Lift Urban Portland (Holiday Gifts) – $300
Holiday Gifts for NW Towers Kids – $333
July/August/September 2020
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (for Every Voice, Every Vote) – $700
May/June 2020
Partners for Hunger Free Oregon – $ 5,000
HIAS (Humanitarian Aid and Advocacy for Refugees) –$ 7,500
CODA (Treatment for Substance Abuse Disorders) – $ 1,000
Rose Haven (Day Shelter for Women and Children) $ 2,000
More information about these organizations and the work they are currently doing is available in the Social Action content on the CBI website.
From the Robert Peltz (z”l) High Holidays Funds for Food:
Robert Peltz was the energy, passion and conscience of our High Holidays Funds for Food from the time of it’s inception until his unexpected death earlier this year. The fund has been renamed as a tribute to his efforts.
Robert’s widow Leslie Peltz, and his good friend Jim Richman, carried Robert’s legacy forward this year. Under their thoughtful and dedicated leadership the fund had a huge increase in both the number of donors and the amount of money raised.
Number of donors – 191
Total Donations – $35,304
Allocations:
Lift Urban Portland -$5,000
Sunshine Pantry – $3,000
Oregon Food Bank – $6,804
Urban Gleaners – $1,500
Stone Soup – $1,500
Northeast Emergency Food Programs – $1,500
Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) – $4,000
Native American Rehabilitation Association (NARA) – $4,000
Sunshine Division – $4,000
Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center – $4,000
Southern Oregon fire victims continue to need our support.
CBI has a tradition of providing for others at Thanksgiving and during the winter holidays. This year we are unable to host our two usual events, the Thanksgiving Dinner for our neighbors at NW Towers and the Lift Urban Portland Community Christmas Dinner. Many of us will miss being a part of these celebrations; all of us can still make a difference.
Our Social Action Committe reports that, thanks to the generosity of our community, we have been able to support several organizations that are providing food and vital services to those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Now we are asking for CBI to join with Temple Emek Shalom of Ashland to help the many Southern Oregon residents who have suffered devastating losses due to Almeda fire in September. The towns of Talent, Phoenix and Medford were especially hard hit by this catastrophe.
Please consider giving generously to an organization assisting fire victims, such as Rogue Food Unites (via United Way of Jackson County), Ashland Emergency Food Bank, or by sending a check payable to Jackson County School District #4 to
Phoenix-Talent School District Fire Relief Fund*
PO Box 937
Medford, OR 97501
And please help CBI to track our efforts.
If you donate please send an email with “Fire Relief” in the subject line and your name in message to:
SAC@BethIsrael-PDX.org
(No need to include amount of donation).
*The Phoenix Talent Fire Relief Fund is organized by the Talent Phoenix School District where an estimated 50% of the student population has lost their homes. All contributions go directly to families.
CBI is a Brit Olam (Covenant with our World) committed congregation, joining over 200 other Reform Congregations in linked social justice work.
Our Beth Israel Community has a full slate of social action activities, from direct service to advocacy, that reflects our social justice teachings.
Your help is needed. Volunteer for an event or ongoing activity, or to help with the development and implementation of new programs. Participation in the Social Action Committee is open to all congregants. The following is a description of some of our programs.
The Social Action Committee welcomes requests for allocations from the Social Action Food Fund, Robert Peltz (z”l) High Holidays Funds for Food, and the Social Action General Tribute Fund. Please click to learn more and to submit a request.
Even in this time of physical distancing, we have ongoing projects to support our community. We continue our neighbors at NW Towers, including assisting with the resident-run food pantry.
With a long list of activities, there are always opportunities to help our community. These projects are open to the larger Portland- area Jewish community.
Click here for opportunities to volunteer.
Questions about how you can get involved with the Social Action Committee? Email SAC@bethisrael-pdx.org or call Program and Communications Coordinator Tracy Manaster Alifanz at (503) 222-1069 to learn how you can make a difference!
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