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.
Mitzvah Day returns on Sunday, May 16 with a variety of service projects. Details here.
Announcing the launch of the Reform Movement’s 2021 Racial Justice Campaign: What You Need to Know.
On Mitzvah Day:
Beyond Mitzvah Day: Want to do more?
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 $100,000. 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:
April 2021
Mercy Connections – $2,000
Lift Urban Portland -$2,500
Sunshine Pantry -$2,500
March 2021
Urban Gleaners – $1,000
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
2020
Lift Urban Portland – $2500
Sunshine Pantry – $2500
Urban Gleaners – $2500
Northeast Emergency Food Pantry – $2500
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:
April 2021
Black Resilience Fund – $1,000
Cascadia Clusters – $2,000
Stone Soup PDX – $3,000
Sunshine Division – $2,000
Northeast Emergency Food Program – $1,500
CODA – $1,500
March 2021
Rose Haven Shelter for Women and Children -$3,000
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
2020
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (for Every Voice, Every Vote) – $700
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 5781:
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 in early 2020. 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
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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