As the year moves on, Temple Israel’s Social Action Committee continues its commitment to Tikkun Olam – Repairing the World. Thanks to the financial and volunteer support of so many of our members, our Food Drive and Tzedakah Lecture were both successful – delivering more food for the hungry than ever before, and raising $13,151.00 for local organizations providing food, goods and services to those in need. As these good works continue, we hope to go beyond Social Action and actually get involved in implementing Social Change. The Union of Reform Judaism is committed to having its congregations explore congregation-based community organizing. Rabbi Jonah Pesner, former Assistant Rabbi of Temple Israel, is the Founding Director of Just Congregations. Its goal is to organize local Jewish communities to advocate for the issues of social and economic justice that reflect our most deeply held Jewish values. Across the country, congregations of all faiths have engaged in a transformative social justice model based on the principles of community organizing. Last spring, a number of clergy and members from Temple Israel and other area synagogues met with Rabbi Pesner, other members of Just Congregations and representatives of the Connecticut Sponsoring Committee (CSC), which is made up of lay and clergy leaders of all faiths. The goal of the meeting was to gain an understanding of how these organizations work and how Temple Israel could become part of the group as it continues to grow.After a one-on-one meeting with CSC organizer Pat Speer, I agreed to represent Temple Israel at a series of training sessions with CSC and members of other area congregations, which have just ended. Together we trained, and grew in trust and our commitment to the building of an organization of leaders engaged together in social change around common issues. The focus was on how one-on-one conversations and house meetings can help us get to know each other better as a congregation and ultimately lead to addressing the systemic causes of social justice issues. For me and Temple Israel VP Emily Glasberg, it was an inspiring experience. To date, more than 30 area congregations are involved in CSC, with more than 200 leaders already trained. On December 10, Rabbi Pesner will be returning to Fairfield County to meet with the synagogues committed to CSC. The meeting will take place at Congregation Beth El in Fairfield. The Clergy and Social Action Committee of Temple Israel hope that a group of our congregants will participate in that meeting. A meeting will be scheduled at Temple Israel for those interested before December 10. For additional information, please contact me at socialaction@tiwestport.org.