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Social Justice

Social Justice

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Temple Beth-El prides itself on being a welcoming community for Jewish and interfaith households to experience an uplifting and joyful sense of belonging. The I.D.E.A.S Committee (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Support) was formed to ensure this mission is met for all congregants and visitors to Temple Beth-El. From school and Temple facility signage to progressive programs and guest speakers, the I.D.E.A.S committee will focus on actions that better support everyone in our community.

If you would like to join the committee, or have suggestions for consideration,
please contact Dan Berman or Rabbi Jenn Mangold.

IMPORTANT: Purchase of the book is strongly encouraged and recommended for the courses.
Purchase The Social Justice Torah Commentary by Rabbi Barry H. Block HERE.

coalition members of...

 

Jewish Press Pinellas Article Below:

LOCAL GREEN BOOK AIMS TO BUILD UP BLACK COMMUNITY

tbe & fast walking the walk...

At Temple Beth-El, as part of our Interfaith Social Justice Coalition, FAST, we are walking the walk, and not just talking the talk, to fight against racial profiling within our local police departments. I encourage you to watch this brief video that explains the issue and shares our “one small step to freedom" from Rev. Robert Ward (Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church) and Rabbi Michael Torop (Temple Beth-El), 
Co-Chairs of the FAST Criminal Justice & Mental Health Committee.
 

Brotherhood Making an Impact...

When the Covid-19 pandemic began impacting our area, Temple Beth-El Brotherhood had already purchased food for upcoming events. Knowing there were families in south St. Petersburg that had been disadvantaged by the pandemic, TBE Board Member and Social Justice Chairperson, Joshua Bean, brought to the Brotherhood's attention a great organization called Pay It Florida - Pinellas.

After identifying the largest area of need that could be impacted, the Brotherhood made the easy decision to donate over 200 pounds of food to Atwater's, a long-time BBQ and soul food restaurant in south St. Petersburg. Marc Tucker and Steve Jenkins loaded up the donations of frozen meats, cheeses, tater tots, fries and other items and took them to Eric Atwater, fourth generation owner of Atwater's. Eric and his team spent the day preparing baked and fried chicken, mac and cheese, potatoes and collard greens. And while he could have decided to make a profit for all this hard work, Eric and his staff boxed up the meals into individual portions and handed them out to anyone in the community that needed them...for free! People came from all over St. Pete...walking, biking and driving up, knowing they could get a made-with-love hot meal from this 4th generation St. Pete restaurant. it was so incredible to see our donation go immediately to those who needed it!

Tampa Bay Times caught wind of what our Brotherhood had donated and even included a "shout out" to them in the May 7th edition. A huge THANK YOU to our Brotherhood for taking quick action to make a huge impact to so many in our community!

CLICK HERE to read the full article.

HIAS REFUGEE SHABBAT FOLLOW-UP

April 30, 2020

Dear HIAS Refugee Shabbat Participants,

I hope you are doing well and finding as much of a rhythm as possible in these challenging times.

We can hardly believe that HIAS Refugee Shabbat was just last month. Thank you for your commitment to participating in this significant showing of support for refugees and asylum seekers: nearly 350 communities and thousands of individuals across the United States, Canada, Mexico and Europe signed on! We know that you all worked hard to create meaningful events for your communities, and we want to acknowledge that much of that effort may have gone by the wayside in the face of COVID-19. So many of you showed inspirational resilience in the face of limitations on the ability to gather on person, instead coming together for livestreamed services lifting up refugees and asylum seekers or even arranging for pick-up dinners catered by refugee-owned and operated catering companies. If you are still sorting out how to reschedule your Refugee Shabbat, please do be in touch if we can help you think through virtual options.

Over the next few days, we will launch HIAS@Home, a set of offerings to help you take action for refugees and asylum seekers from home. From briefing calls with HIAS’ refugee experts and partners in the field, to the HIAS Book and Film Club, to educational and training opportunities for Welcome Campaign members, there are many ways to continue learning about, advocating for, and serving refugees and asylum seekers around the globe. We hope you will share these opportunities with your communities. More information will be forthcoming on the HIAS email listserv (sign up at www.hias.org if you don’t already receive our emails).

Speaking of the Welcome Campaign, we invite you to add HIAS’ **NEW** website badge to your synagogue homepage, designed specifically for members of HIAS’ Welcome Campaign, and make your support for refugees and asylum seekers known to visitors your website. Please feel free to be in touch with HIAS Grassroots Campaign Officer Janna Diamond at Janna.Diamond@hias.org with any questions.

Once again, thank you for your commitment to taking action for refugees and asylum seekers. Wishing you strength and health as you navigate the weeks and months ahead.

All the best,

Rabbi Rachel Grant Meyer

____________

Rabbi Rachel Grant Meyer (she/her/hers)
Rabbi-in-Residence

212-613-1363

HIAS Welcome the stranger. Protect the refugee.

Sun, February 5 2023 14 Sh'vat 5783