Outreach

Together we can make a difference: JRF's Sustainable Synagogue Initiative

Lisa Tuttle — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:43:57 -0500

With the enthusiasm around JRF's Omer Learning Initiative, as well as the solid response of JRF congregations in the Climate Change Initiative, JRF is continues to deepen its greening work with member communities next year.

Our hope is to motivate and educate our congregations in sustainable practices, with the goal of reaching 100 percent participation in the years ahead, recognizing those JRF communities who excel at sustainable practices at the JRF Convention in Boston, 2008.

Learn about the Sustainable Synagogue Initiative on the JRF website's environment pages at jrfSustainable_Synagogue_Resources and jrf.org/climate.

For more information contact Rabbi Shawn Zevit, Director of Outreach and Tikkun Olam, SZevit@jrf.org

JRF Signer of Multi-Agency Thank You Letter to the United Methodist Church

Lisa Tuttle — Tue, 13 May 2008 23:42:01 -0400

Twenty one Jewish agencies, including the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, have joined together in a letter of thanks to the United Methodist Church (UMC) for sincere strides made in areas of concern to the Jewish community, including Jewish-Christian relations and peace and reconciliation in the Middle East.

The recent work with the United Methodist Church is an example of one of the many coalitions and cross-agency initiatives for which JRF represents our member communities.

Read more to see the full letter.

To: Delegates of the United Methodist Church General Conference:

We wish to express our appreciation for the recognition given by the United Methodist Church's General Conference for Holocaust awareness and commemoration, fighting anti-Semitism, and opposing proselytization of Jews. These are most welcome actions that we receive as further demonstration of a commitment to the continuing and valuable Christian-Jewish relationship.

We also sincerely welcome the action taken by the United Methodist Church related to divestment. Thank you.

The broad range of agencies that join in this letter share with the United Methodist Church the goal of peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians as expressed through a two-state solution. This goal requires us to work toward solutions that foster dialogue and negotiation, and that enable economic and physical security to take the place of suffering and terrorism.

Methodists across the country have opened their hearts and minds to concerns expressed by the Jewish community. We appreciate the opportunity to share our thoughts with our Methodist brothers and sisters and to hear your concerns. Many Jewish and Methodist leaders have been in conversation on these issues for years. For others, the conversation is relatively new. We are committed to continue working cooperatively to build a brighter future for Israelis and Palestinians.

We have made many new friends along this journey and look forward to maintaining a positive dialogue on Israeli-Palestinian issues as well as other issues of mutual concern.

Signed:

Americans for Peace Now
American Jewish Committee
American Jewish Congress
Anti Defamation League
B'nai Brith International
Brit Tzedek V'Shalom
Central Conference of American Rabbis
Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization
Israel Policy Forum
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Jewish Reconstructionist Federation
National Council of Jewish Women
National Council of Synagogues
Progressive Jewish Alliance
The Rabbinical Assembly
Simon Wiesenthal Center
Union for Reform Judaism
United Jewish Communities
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
Women's League of Conservative Judaism
Women of Reform Judaism

"Thoughts on the Task of Peace Making: A Message to Our Methodist Friends"

Lisa Tuttle — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 10:51:24 -0400

The Jewish Reconstructionist Federation is among eight national Jewish agencies issuing an open letter this week to the United Methodist Church (UMC). The document, entitled "Thoughts on the Task of Peace Making in the Middle East: A Message to Our Methodist Friends,” offers talking points for the Jewish community and can be used as a leave-behind document for Methodists.

The full document is attached to this announcment and can be copied and disseminated.

Topics addressed are Shared Goals, Divestment, Troublesome UMC Materials on the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, and Balance and Peace Making.

Participating agencies: American Jewish Committee, Anti-Defamation League, B'nai B'rith International, Hadassah, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, Union for Reform Judaism, and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.

Kol HaLev to Co-Sponsor “Sounds of Justice” Havdalah Concert and Advocacy Event for Darfur

Lisa Tuttle — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:56:56 -0500

Start: Feb 9 2008 - 7:30pm

End: Feb 9 2008 - 10:00pm

Please join congregation Kol HaLev and more than 20 congregations and organizations throughout the Cleveland, OH area for a special community-wide event: “Sounds of Justice” Havdalah Concert and Advocacy Event for Darfur, featuring JRF's director of Outreach and Tikkun Olam, Rabbi Shawn Zevit.

Saturday, February 9th at 7:30 pm, B’nai Jeshurun Congregation, 27501 Fairmount Blvd., Pepper Pike, Cleveland, OH.

THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY

Help spread the word - download and post the event flyer.

Following the concert, which will emphasize the theme of tikkun olam, there will be hands-on activities for everyone to work together to encourage an end to the genocide in Darfur:

Write letters to the media, local and national legislators and the Chinese government
Decorate symbolic refugee tents with prayers, words of support, and images for a better world
Make donations to American Jewish World Service to provide much needed items for Sudanese refugees through Jewish World Watch

For event coverage in the Cleveland Jewish News see: http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/articles/2008/02/01/news/local/darfur0201.txt

and

http://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/articles/2008/01/28/news/local/rally0125.txt

Learn more about JRF's work to end the genocide in Darfur, Sudan at http://www.jrf.org/darfur