HEALING THE WORLD
The Jewish value of tikkun olam, healing the world, is at the heart of CBE’s identity. From our rapid response to Hurricane Sandy, which spurred our CBE Feeds program, to our study series on systemic racism in America, which led to our Dismantling Racism Team, to our partnership with Council member Brad Lander that led to the #GetOrganizedBK initiative, which has led thousands of our Brooklyn neighbors to work to protect human rights, stand with vulnerable communities, and defend democracy.
If you would like opportunities to do good and create change in the world, from acts of kindness to service, from giving to mitzvot, from advocacy to community organizing, CBE is a place to get involved. We welcome you to bring your skills, commitments, and heart to any or all of our social justice initiatives.
Neutrality when life is at risk is not a Jewish value. Silence in the face of injustice is not a Jewish value. The Jewish thing to do is to take a stand, to speak, to act. —Rabbi Rachel Timoner
ONGOING INITIATIVES
Looking for a concrete way to protect our planet for generations to come? Contact CBE Members, Margery Cooper or Emily Sachs to learn more about this initiative.
The Dismantling Racism Team (DRT) is part of CBE’s larger history and commitment to pursuing social justice for all. We have two main working groups that we warmly welcome all interested members of the congregation to become part of. The group is open to non-members as well. If you are interested in learning more and/or attending please email: cbedismantlingracismteam@cbebk.org
-The Antiracism Working Group focuses on CBE’s own congregational norms, practices, and policies, with the goal of making CBE an antiracist congregation and a more inclusive community for all, including congregants, worshipers, family members, guests, and students.
-The Advocacy Working Group is actively engaged in advocacy, in alliance with more directly impacted groups, for reforms of the state and local criminal legal system. The group’s efforts have included participating in the Raise the Age coalition to sharply curtail the prosecution of teenagers as adults, helping pass laws eliminating cash bail, and more recently, advocating for police reforms to end police brutality.
On March 1, 2021 as part of CBE’s speaker series “Member Mondays,” the DRT presented “#LessIsMoreNY: A Conversation on Combating Racism Through Parole Reform”. Click here to watch our presentation
CBE’s Refugee Task Force (RTF) consists of CBE and community members committed to supporting refugees and immigrants. Most of us are descendants of immigrants ourselves, and we feel grateful for the opportunities our ancestors were given. We believe that every newcomer to this country deserves to be treated fairly and justly, and we cannot stand by and watch people’s rights be violated.
Here are some of the ways we work to support our neighbors and how you can get involved:
- Distribute food to the hungry (sign up to volunteer with CBE Feeds for one or more slots)
- Join the Action Network, where you can indicate what type of help you’re able to give. This way, when a need arises, we’ll be able to contact a specific group quickly. You can always decline if the timing or ask doesn’t work for you. Please fill out this form to join the network. And if you know of someone who can use help, please let us know.
- Host events or volunteer to help furnish apartments (with Ruth’s Refuge)
- Hold drives for essential items such as coats, toiletries, and metrocards
- Host book/film events
- Stay abreast of relevant policy initiatives here:
- Make sandwiches for hungry neighbors or help distribute food with CHiPS
- Advocate for fair and just policies at the city, state and national levels
Meanwhile, we are watching the policies coming out of Washington closely, and we’re working with our interfaith community to plan additional activities in response. Please check back here for real-time updates!
Want to get involved or join our listserve? Have ideas? Contact us here: cberefugetaskforce@gmail.com
Additional Volunteer Opportunities
Ark Immigration Clinic at CBST. Trains volunteers and attorneys to assist with asylum and work permit applications, translation, accompaniment to USCIS interviews, direct support for our immigrant neighbors, and more. Many of those we work with are LGBTQ and/or HIV+. Clinics are Wednesday evenings.
Website | Volunteer Info email: sanctuary@cbst.org
Educational Alliance. Provides a wide variety of services for new immigrants. Volunteers are needed to support Work Authorization Clinics, the ReLoved Boutique, and Welcome to New York Sessions.
Locations and Volunteer opportunities | Volunteer at Educational Alliance’s Work Authorization Clinic | Donate Clothing
HIAS Direct Service Volunteer Program. Engages volunteers in supporting asylum seekers through one-on-one mentorship and English language tutoring, research projects, interpretation & translation, accompaniment, and more. We ask interested volunteers to attend an hour-long informational webinar to learn more about volunteering with HIAS to begin the onboarding process.
Website | Volunteer Info & Sign-up
Masbia Soup Kitchen Network’s Emergency Food Programs. Serves over 2 million meals a year in two main categories: hot, sit-down dinners to clients at restaurant-like soup kitchens, and emergency care packages equivalent to 9 meals worth of groceries for every member of the family.
New Neighbors Partnership. Reimagines in-kind giving by turning what is normally a one-time, blind donation into a long-standing relationship between families. By partnering with a newly arrived family to contribute ongoing hand-me-down kids clothes, you can help a family feel welcomed and supported in their new life here.
Website | Volunteer Info | Partner with a Family
New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC). Advocates for the rights of immigrants in New York State. Volunteer to help with events, legal, and language support.
Team TLC Pro Se Asylum/TPS Legal Clinic at Plymouth Church, 75 Hicks Street, Brooklyn. Monday evenings. If you know people who can use assistance, please have them email legalteamtlcnyc@gmail.com or send a WhatsApp to 917.270.1023
For nine weeks each year, CBE operates a shelter in the Rotunda of our Sanctuary building, providing a warm, safe place to sleep, along with a hot meal, for our guests. The shelter is run entirely by volunteers, coordinated by CBE congregants, and supported by members and non-members alike. Volunteers may sign up to provide dinner, dessert, or stay overnight. A volunteer Evening Coordinator each night assists with the dinner and overnight volunteers. Talk to your friends about volunteering together! This is also a community service opportunity for teens; we are glad to provide a letter for schools. The signup calendar is now live. Questions? Email shelter@cbebk.org or Carol Shuchman.
Thanks to our community’s generosity, the CBE K’far Aza Healing Committee has raised $300,000 for our sister community in Israel. But our support—and prayers—are still needed.
More information: https://cbebk.org/kfar-aza/
Vote Reform at the World Zionist Congress
Pledge to Vote March 10-May 4
When the World Zionist Congress—aka the “Parliament of the Jewish People”—convenes this year, ultra-orthodox religious fundamentalists will be voting to chip away at Israel’s democracy; strip Israeli Reform clergy of their rights; and block any hope of Palestinian self-determination and safety. As we’ve seen since October 7, what happens in Israel impacts all Jews. Now, with the next chapter of Israeli and Jewish history about to unfold, do you want to be written out of it, or at the table writing it? CBE is setting an ambitious goal of 1,000 votes for the Reform Movement slate from our community. Will you pledge today to be one of them? Join this pivotal campaign to shape Israel’s future.
GET INVOLVED
Click the button below to stay in touch with the Tikkun Alliance and learn more about social justice opportunities with CBE.
Are you interested in becoming a member of CBE? Click here to learn more about membership.