Tikkun Olam and Social Justice at Temple B'nai Brith
Tikkun Olam means "repairing the world" and is a core part of our Jewish values. Some of the activities we participate in as a congregation are aimed at raising awareness of issues facing our world and at doing what we can to make it a better place.
ANNUAL HESCHEL/KING COMMEMORATION TALK
An annual presentation in honor of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., near Martin Luther King Day (which is also close to the Yahrtzeit of Rabbi Heschel.) Topics have included the diversity of Jewish experience across race, culture, and ethnicity, and human rights in Israel.
FAMILY TABLE
Our members provide donations of requested kosher food and help annually with deliveries for Family Table, a food pantry run by Jewish Family and Children's Service for Jewish families.
LITERACY PROJECT
A team of volunteers from TBB is assigned by the Greater Boston Jewish Coalition for Literacy to tutor children from the Healey School in Somerville in learning to read.
SOCIAL JUSTICE SPEAKER SERIES
Brunch discussions and evening presentations on matters of local, national, and global political interest, such as the connection between class and wealth, health care, labor, and events in Israel.
PROJECT EZRA
Jewish volunteers substitute for Christians at various local volunteer organizations on Christmas Day.
FILM SERIES
Thought-provoking films and discussions connected to Israel and other issues facing the Jewish community.
RESPOND BENEFIT CONCERTS
TBB has hosted or participated in many benefit concerts for Respond, a local battered women's shelter, or for other causes on occasion.
ANNUAL INTERFAITH STUDY SESSIONS
An annual study session with a Jewish, a Muslim and (as of last year, a Christian) scholar. Last year’s subject was on Tikkun Olam and Tzedakah/Zagat/Charity and Righteousness.
SAVE OUR HOMES WALK
A team of congregation members and childrens' school students particate each year in this walk to fight homelessness.
COMMUNITY LISTENING PROGRAMS
Community discussions on difficult issues such as those raised by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in which synagogue members can freely express their views and listen to one another.
TZEDAKAH
Each Purim, tzedakah is collected during the Megillah reading, often for a thematically appropriate cause. Monthly donations from the temple to charities also educate our members about giving opportunities related to our Jewish identity, social justice, and our community.
GREATER BOSTON INTERFAITH ORGANIZATION (GBIO) PROGRAMS
TBB participates in GBIO initiatives such as reforming health care, affordable housing and its campaign to end usury.
