Social Justice
Social Justice
One of Dorshei Tzedek’s Core Values is that of Tikkun Olam, Repairing the World. Our congregation’s name means “seekers of justice,” and, as that name implies, we strive to create a just and kind world by pursuing a variety of social action initiatives and projects both within our congregation and in conjunction with the broader community. We view such actions to end injustice and oppression as core to our spiritual journey and as a cornerstone of our ethical and moral tradition.
At Dorshei Tzedek, pursuing justice takes place in many different forms including personal, social and political. We welcome all and encourage individuals to pursue existing efforts or bring new ones to explore. Join one of the events or meetings, or, for more information, contact us at tikkunolam@dorsheitzedek.org.
Current congregational focuses:
- Israel Palestine Peace (IPPeace) was organized in 2016 and focuses on topics related to Israel and Palestine. The group is especially dedicated to furthering our learning about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its ramifications, and to considering actions that might contribute to ending the occupation and achieving a just and lasting peace. IPPeace seeks to foster respectful dialogue across different points of view. The group maintains a listserv open to all members of CDT and hosts programs providing information, perspectives, and possible pathways to action.
- CDT’s Criminal Justice Task Force (CJTF) participates in a statewide Campaign for Criminal Justice focusing on replacing the carceral state with programs that treat people as human beings no matter their transgressions. We work to change unfair and ineffective laws, such as mandatory minimums for drug offenses. The CJTF also affiliates with the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization and the Jobs Not Jails Coalition.
As part of the CJTF, Dorshei Tzedek members volunteer at the Prison Book Program (PBP) in Quincy every two months, sending reading material in response to incarcerated citizens’ requests from across the country. - CDT’s Understanding Racism (UR) group was formed to provide a supportive environment for CDT members to explore issues of racism and white privilege, to educate ourselves and our congregation, and to listen to each other as we unwrap our own misunderstandings in these areas.
- Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO): Since 2003, Dorshei Tzedek has been a member of theGreater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO). GBIO is a broad-based coalition of area churches, synagogues, mosques, unions and community organizations that have built a loving and action-oriented community on the basis of shared values and a strong commitment to economic justice. GBIO is one of the only organizations in the area that brings people together across racial, ethnic and religious lines in relationships of equality to work together toward a common vision of justice.
- Ongoing supporting of the work of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute by participating in the annual Mother’s Day Walk for Peace.
In addition to these efforts, CDT continues to support the Food Matters initiative begun in 2009 through the following:
- Garden Project: CDT grows food for Local Food Pantries CDT maintains a community garden in conjunction to grow produce to donate to the Newton Food Pantry and Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen in Waltham. There are opportunities for involvement by adults and kids, for any amount of time you wish.
- In partnership with Sindyanna of Galilee, CDT members have the opportunity to make regular purchases of Sindyanna’s certified organic, fair trade and kosher (for Passover) olive oil and za’atar which supports this non-profit organization led by a team of Arab and Jewish women working to create social change from the ground up. Sindyanna’s goals are to produce outstanding olive oil and other premium food products, while enhancing Arab-Jewish cooperation, promoting Fair Trade, creating economic opportunities for Arab women, and assisting local growers and producers.
- Participating in Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Since 2010, Dorshei Tzedek, together with other area congregations, has partnered with Red Fire Farm to connect consumers with the source of their food, and promote local, sustainable, and organic agriculture. These memberships allow the farmer to pay for seeds, fertilizer, water, equipment and labor, and the consumer thus shares both the risk and the bounty of the growing season with the farmer. In return, the members get a weekly share of the farm’s harvest throughout the growing season.
- Supporting the Coalition of Immokalee Workers. CIW is a worker-based human rights organization internationally recognized for its achievements in the fields of social responsibility, human trafficking, and gender-based violence at work. Built on a foundation of farm worker community organizing starting in 1993, and reinforced with the creation of a national consumer network since 2000, CIW’s work has steadily grown over more than twenty years to encompass three broad and overlapping spheres: The Fair Food Program, The Anti-Slavery Campaign, The Campaign for Fair Food.
Past efforts include Climate Change and Behind the Labels.
See the CDT calendar for upcoming Tikkun Olam meetings and related events.
Wee People's Chalk the Walk Family Day of Action
On Sunday, May 31, members of CDT's Nitzanim/Gan class, our 3-5 year-olds and their parents, participated in Wee The People's "Chalk the Walk Family Day of Action," in response to racial injustice. We hope you are inspired by our youngest activists!
Sun, January 24 2021
11 Shevat 5781
Upcoming Events
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Sunday ,
JanJanuary 24 , 2021
Sunday, Jan 24th 12:30p to 5:00p
Join this Virtual Day of Learning with Reconstructing Judaism, including a panel discussion with Rabbi Toba. -
Wednesday ,
JanJanuary 27 , 2021Torah Study
Wednesday, Jan 27th 8:00a to 9:00a
Start your Wednesday mornings with Torah Study! Join Director of Congregational Learning Earnest Vener for a weekly hour-long study of the weekly Torah portion on Wednesdays at 8am. You are welcome to drop in or come weekly. All are welcome and no prior knowledge is required. Please email Earnest at e.vener@dorsheitzedek.org with any questions. -
Thursday ,
JanJanuary 28 , 2021Is The Talmud Racist?
Thursday, Jan 28th 1:30p to 2:30p
In this presentation, Herbert D. Katz Center for Advanced Judaic Studies director Professor Steve Weitzman will introduce the series and its goals. Following that, Mira Wasserman will explore concepts of race and racism as they relate to the foundational source of Jewish tradition, the Babylonian Talmud. This is part of a Reconstructing Judaism free online lecture series on Jews, Race, & Religion. -
Thursday ,
JanJanuary 28 , 2021Tu B'Shvat Seder & Celebration
Thursday, Jan 28th 7:30p to 9:00p
The holiday of Tu B'Shvat, the “new year of the trees,” is a time to celebrate the natural world and the diversity and abundance of the earth’s resources. Come celebrate the fruits of our Tikkun Olam labor this year at CDT, including the Voter Mobilization Project, GBIO and more. Bring your own figs, dates, olives, pomegranates, grapes, etc. -
Saturday ,
JanJanuary 30 , 2021
Shabbat, Jan 30th 10:00a to 12:00p
This "Shabbat of Song" we mark the Israelites' crossing of the Reed Sea and celebrating with the Song of the Sea. Our morning service will feature new recordings from CDT Sings, and song and Torah learning with special guest Arielle Korman of Ammud: Jews of Color Torah Academy. -
Sunday ,
JanJanuary 31 , 2021
Sunday, Jan 31st 10:00a to 11:15a
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Sunday ,
JanJanuary 31 , 2021
Sunday, Jan 31st 12:00p to 12:20p
We need your help for the CDT Purim Shpiel! Sign up to work with CDT Purim Shpiel creator Sheree to create scenes for our first (and hopefully last) Zoom Purim shpiel. The first session, January 21st, will be a 20 minute info session. The following three sessions will be one hour on Sundays after Religious School and during February break: Feb. 7, Feb. 14, and Feb. 21. -
Sunday ,
JanJanuary 31 , 2021Adult Hebrew Part 2: Rooting In Hebrew
Sunday, Jan 31st 1:30p to 3:00p
A five session Hebrew class for anyone who has learned the letters of the Alef Bet, recently or years ago. We will focus on becoming more proficient at reading and pronouncing Hebrew while simultaneously growing our skills at making meaning of Hebrew words and relating personally to the language of the siddur (prayer book). Payment for this course will be on a sliding scale and participants will need to purchase a book. -
Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 3 , 2021Torah Study
Wednesday, Feb 3rd 8:00a to 9:00a
Start your Wednesday mornings with Torah Study! Join Director of Congregational Learning Earnest Vener for a weekly hour-long study of the weekly Torah portion on Wednesdays at 8am. You are welcome to drop in or come weekly. All are welcome and no prior knowledge is required. Please email Earnest at e.vener@dorsheitzedek.org with any questions. -
Wednesday ,
FebFebruary 3 , 2021
Wednesday, Feb 3rd 5:30p to 5:45p
All are welcome to join Rabbi Toba for a moment of calm each week. The content will vary - a brief teaching, a meditative moment, some music, or another contemplative practice. We will start promptly at 5:30pm each Wednesday, but feel free to drop in at any time. Each session will end with an opportunity for those in mourning or observing a yahrzeit to recite Mourners Kaddish. Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/97091443951?pwd=dVk4bFZIVitMcDViYllNQnRIdmhmZz09