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October Flame

Social Justice Committee

By Carl Selkin

L’ Shanah tova!

I know that this is not the holy day to ask questions---but,:  Why was this Rosh Hashanah different from other Rosh Hashanahs?  One reason is the inspiring and wonderful young people on the bimah chanting Torah and Haftorah, and  recounting how meaningful our community has been for them.  Yasher koach to each and every one who took part. .  This  was  a testament to the ways in which PJTC centers young people, and it is a tribute to PJTC clergy and lay staff, parents and friends who nurture and support them. Remember, YouTube lets us watch multiple times!

What has this got to do with Social Justice? The Rabbi gave a thoughtful and moving sermon about the importance of putting aside distractions when interacting with people so that we see the person before us as a person, not as some generic functionary.  As I watched our future as a Jewish community on the bimah (and, yes, I did take advantage of YouTube to watch several times), I thought about the future these young people face. Rising anti-Semitism, the multiplicity of disruptions from climate change and social upheaval –these are among the challenges to our vision of a just world  that we need to take on.  

In our small but significant way, the Social Justice Committee seeks non-partisan ideas of how to address these issues. Jewish values and traditions inform what we do, including the great Talmudic tradition of arguing “for the sake of heaven.” make our SJC different from most other Social Justice groups.  Labels are irrelevant to us.  Good will, civility, and thoughtfulness are essential.   Feel welcome at our meetings and events.  No dues, no membership forms. Just be present.