Jewish Social Action Month is Oct. 9-Nov. 7, 2010
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When Cheshvan Falls Let Justice Rise
by Avi West

The journey of the Jewish year has a wonderful rhythm to it. An ear attuned to the rhythm can pick out themes that ebb and flow through each month, much as the moon influences the tides. The Hebrew month of Elul began a period of introspection; we contemplated our individual behavior and our relationship with the Creator and our fellow human beings. Tishrei followed with continued reflection on improving our lives as members of families and communities. But the other Rosh Hashanah theme of remembering the birthday of the world added nuances of human responsibility as stewards of God’s creation. Then Yom Kippur had us assemble publicly to plead before the heavenly Chief Justice to deal with us and the world through “justice overwhelmed with mercy.” Four days later we are asked to leave the comfort of our homes, reflect on the abundant harvests and gifts in our lives, observe the needs of society from our “observation booths,” and apply the virtues of justice (din/tzedek) and mercy (rachamim) to all who are welcomed into the Sukkah.

But many of us got no further than our backyard sukkah. For the most part, we only stretched to include more family and friends. What about the "other, the stranger who lives in our midst"? And just when we are contemplating these themes, the month of Cheshvan arrives with nary a reinforcing holiday in sight.

Like “Mother Nature,” power and ritual do not like vacuums. Jewish leaders from many institutions jumped on the chance to create a “jazz riff” on the rhythms established in the past two months. Justice kept dancing with mercy; “harvesting the benefits of this world” started doing a tango with “responsibility to the environment”; traditional mitzvot danced an “out-of-the-Box-Step” with creative rituals. In the innovative tradition of Abraham and Sarah, who were advocates of justice for all humanity and strangers themselves, the month of Cheshvan has been dedicated to applying all of the themes and all of the contemplation from Elul and Tishrei to the broader society. By declaring this month Jewish Social Action Month (JSAM) many organizations have created a global initiative to promote both social action (tikkun olam) and Jewish Peoplehood.

"Whether you call it Tikkun Olam (repair the world), social action, chesed (acts of loving kindness), you can join thousands of Jewish organizations and individuals around the world of all backgrounds and affiliations for a month of unity through social action. Volunteer with children, rally for Darfur, clean up a river, feed the homeless, raise money for education towards peace, paint a mural – or do whatever you are passionate about."

The following are suggestions that can involve the whole family:

For students:
• Make this Cheshvan your kick-off for the social justice project you will do towards your Bar/Bat Mitzvah or Confirmation.
• Round it off! Collect spare change, or round up what you pay at stores for food or entertainment, and collect it in a pushke, a "change for change" jar, you decorate.
• As you negotiate with your parents for this year's allowance, ask for chores with extra payment that you can give to just causes (ask your neighbors, as well, to double the mitzvah).

For parents:
• Create a BoGoBin at home, and when there is a buy-one-get-one free offer in the market, pick up the second item for a food bank.
• Select caterers for your party or simcha that bring leftovers to shelters or foodbanks and that have green profiles for recycling. Research a list of recipients for your own leftovers or doubled recipes.
• Check your child's school PTO (public, private, or congregational) to see if a group of parents can take turns selling healthy snacks with the profit going to the school's giving initiative.
• Sign your teens up for a Jewish youth philanthropy program like the JYPI Program through the Partnership. Click on www.pjll.org/content/jypi.

For grandparents:
• When you give your grandchild a cash gift for any occasion, add some money for tzedakah. Provide a few suggestions and information about your own designated charities.
• Honor your grandchild's birthday by providing a cake to a local soup kitchen. For local grandchildren deliver it together; for out-of-town family, take pictures and add to the birthday card.
• Appoint your grandchild your shaliach tzedaka, your "just-giving" emissary. It can be money to give directly or cash to use while running errands with parents for food or house wares. When the money is spent, ask them how they made their choices.

Local volunteer opportunities:
http://www.shalomdc.org/page.aspx?id=19652
http://www.1-800-volunteer.org/1800Vol/OpenIndexAction.do

National resources:
http://www.areyvut.org/
http://rac.org/
http://www.pursueaction.org/
http://jrf.org/to/jrf-tikkun-olam-2010-11
http://jrf.org/jewish_social_action_month.
http://jrf.org/fight-poverty-with-faith

Definitions and background:
http://joi.org/library/pubs/belin_4.shtml
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/practices/Ethics/Caring_For_Other s/Social_Welfare/Social_Action_Month.shtml
http://www.babaganewz.com/teachers/six-part-unit-on-social-learning-and-the-internet

Feed the hungry:
http://mazon.org
http://worldmanna.org
http://www.tabletotable.org.il