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Beth Emet The Free Synagogue - Social Action Committee History
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Achievements of the Beth Emet Social Action Committee
Since its first meetings in the early 1950's, the work of the Social Action Committee has always been intertwined with the overall mission of Beth Emet Synagogue.
Especially at this congregation, which was created with a passionate concern for freedom of speech, both social service and "social action" have been key components of the organization's life.
The Social Action Committee has been involved throughout its history in numerous local, state and national issues and organizations:
Mitzvah Day (day-length projects of many kinds with 20 institutions in the Chicago area; total staff provided = 200 men, women, children and pets!) inaugurated (1998)
Founding member of United Power for Action & Justice (1998)
Food drives and soup kitchen assistance (continuous)
Annual and semiannual blood drives (continuous)
Supported passage of Illinois Gun Control Ordinance (1982)
**Supported passage of Evanston's Nuclear Free Zone
Founding member of Evanston Housing Coalition
Organized the Sanctuary movement to help Guatemalan refugees (mid-1980's)
Supported organization of Illinois Jewish Alliance for Choice
Helped found Evanston Avenue of the Righteous
Developed Beth Emet Tzedakah Fund (1987); manage fund (1998)
Supported passage of separation of religious practices in District 65 schools (1957)
Endorsed passage of the Civil Rights Bill (1964)
Sponsored in-depth investigation of North Shore discriminatory real estate practices (early 1960's)
Developed Soviet Outreach Committee to support Soviet Jewry
Developed environmental policies, including recycling program at Beth Emet
Sponsored blood drives (first one in 1951 was called Beth Emet's Chanukah gift to the Armed Forces!)
Organized High Holiday Food Drive
Sponsored Jewish-Black pulpit exchanges
Organized synagogue involvement in area soup kitchens
Sponsored anti-racism workshops
Sponsored Jewish-Christian dialogs
Organized political forums (first one in 1956)
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