All members of the Congregation strive to pursue the traditional Jewish values of tzedakah and tikkun olam. The Social Action Committee supports the Congregation in its pursuit of these mitzvot, creating opportunities for the Congregation to participate in a broad range of charitable activities, community service projects, and social justice initiatives:

Giving Tzedakah

We operate several annual donation drives, and respond to emergency requests for donations by Jewish organizations. With the help of our religious school children and temple youth groups, we donate food to local food pantries and soup kitchens; collect clothing, household goods and school supplies for programs serving Brooklyn's needy; and donate goods and money for international disaster relief. To supplement these drives, the committee has published a Guide to Local Giving, which provides CBE families with information on local organizations seeking goods donations throughout the year.

Each winter, with the help of religious school, early childhood and afterschool participants and families, we bake and deliver dozens of home-made pies to a neighborhood senior citizens' center for their Thanksgiving meal, and donate holiday toys and food to homeless Brooklyn families. Many Beth Elohim families spend Christmas day serving holiday meals to the needy, and scores of CBE members participate in our January blood drive. In the spring, we contribute to the New York Board of Rabbis' annual campaign to buy Passover foods for needy Jewish families.

Tikkun Olam – Repairing the World, Through Direct Action and Political Advocacy

The committee sponsors Friday night speakers and Sunday morning discussion forums on social justice issues. Speakers include leaders of national Jewish social service and advocacy organizations, as well as local political and civic leaders, authors, scholars, journalists and community activists.

The committee also sponsors hands-on community service and environmental improvement projects. These projects have included visits to local hospitals, nursing homes and UJA social service centers and a day of sharing our recreation facilities with children from local domestic violence shelters. They've also included a Prospect Park clean-up day, site preparation for low-income housing, marching in Washington to support stronger gun control laws, and handing out Census and voter registration forms. To supplement these activities, the committee has published a Guide to Volunteering, which provides information on local organizations seeking individuals and families as volunteers.

To minimize the impact of CBE's operations on the environment, our committee has assisted CBE staff in identifying suppliers of recycled products and improving waste reduction and recycling practices throughout the Congregation's operations.

Members of our committee have become leaders in the Social Action Committee of the UAHC/Greater New York Council of Reform Synagogues. We've contributed to the drafting of the Council's annual legislative agenda, participated in its petition campaigns, and played a major role in initiating and drafting two GNYCRS social action resolutions.

During the summer, members of the committee plan the coming year's programs and research potential future projects. New ideas and new members are always welcomed.