Social Action
Co-Chairs of
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Mission
In coordination with the clergy, the Social Action Committee furthers the Jewish ideals of social and political justice, serves as the arm of the congregation in tzedakah and mitzvah projects to help those in our community who need food, shelter, and caring, and fosters appropriate support of Israel and oppressed Jewry worldwide. The committee sponsors education programs and offers information on the public policy activities of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and the Northern Virginia Commission of the Jewish Community Council of Greater Washington (see the links at the bottom of this page). The committee also provides financial support to social service agencies, national and local Jewish organizations, and Reform Movement institutions in Israel.
Social Action Committee Activities
Mitzvah Day This day of service has been an annual event since 1996, dedicated to providing many different types of services to a variety of people and agencies around the metro area, including cleaning up parks and streams, home repairs for people in need, entertaining group home residents, and providing meals for low-income people.
Rabbi Richard Sternberger Social Justice Award In honor of Rabbi Sternberger and his dedication to and passion for social justice, TRS awards anually an individual or organization in the community that has contributed to the cause of social justice. The Committee solicits nominations from the congregation and presents the award at the annual Social Action Shabbat. (A few previous recipients include Lazarus At The Gate, SHARE, YACHAD, Falls Church Housing Corporation, Arlington Street People's Assistance Network (ASPAN), and others.)
Social Action Fund This fund is administered by the committee. Congregants regularly make voluntary donations to this fund, which allows the committee to provide support to social service agencies and social action projects.
Soup Caravan This group provides soup and sandwiches four times a month to residents of homeless shelters and a low-income senior citizens residence in Falls Church and to homeless people in Arlington. Regular and occasional volunteers are needed to shop, prepare the food, and deliver. We need drivers for our newest Caravan route, to Max's Place Shelter in Bailey's Crossroads.
Sukkot in April In partnership with Yachad, a Jewish housing and community development agency, we upgrade and repair one or two homes for needy families or individuals. For the last several years, this project has been part of Mitzvah Day, and we have also worked in partnership with the Arlington-Fairfax Jewish Congregation.
Winter Mitzvah Day This day of service traditionally taken place on or about December 25. In the past, we have prepared and delivered holiday meals and decorations for shelter residents, shut-ins, and our Sukkat Shalom family. More recently, we have focused on collecting and wrapping gifts for needy people.