Tikkun Olam: Repair the World

There are many ways to fulfill our responsibility to "repair the world." Many members contribute as individuals to community efforts, whether through volunteering time and energy, or making financial contributions; and some contribute to communal Kol Hadash efforts as well. Some ways are listed here; we encourage members to make suggestions and organize tikkun projects that are particularly meaningful to them.

 

Young Families Tikkun Olam Group

A Tikkun Olam group for families with young children met several times last year to participate in nearby State Park trail maintenance work days. The trails were not too rigorous, and all ages were able to participate. The Families Tikkun Olam group is coordinated by Karen Kramer and Cliff Rechtschaffen.

Darfur

Kol Hadash has participated in several demonstrations during 2006 in San Francisco on behalf of the people of Darfur. We believe it is important to keep the issue alive so that our government representatives can continue pressuring the Government of Sudan, and China—whose importation of Sudanese oil helps to support the status quo in Sudan. It is important that Jewish people stand up against genocide, wherever it may occur. Contact person for Darfur events is Joyce Lewbin. For questions, you can email Joyce.

Tzedaka

Kol Hadash encourages all attendees of our monthly shabbats to bring nonperishable items for collection and donation to a food pantry in Berkeley. It is being coordinated by Harper Puziss; he can be reached by phone or by email.

GreenMinyan

GreenMinyan is a new ecologically-focused Kol Hadash group which met for the first time in November 2007. The group was conceived as an "ecological conscience" for the congregation, a place for ideas and action. How we can be more ecologically responsible as individual households and as a community? What educational opportunities are out there for us, and how can we pass that on to our congregation? What hands-on ecology work (for example, weeding in a park or working to help recycle materials) or activism should we become involved with to make positive changes in our world? Attendees will be brainstorming what they are interested in doing. If you are interested in joining us, call or email Alana.