Social Action Down Under

Naomi Abelson is a Social Action Specialist for the Union for Reform Judaism.

For the past two weeks, I had the opportunity to meet with Union for Progressive Judaism (UPJ) rabbis, congregational presidents, board members, youth and social action committees in Australia and New Zealand to discuss congregational social activism and Nothing But Nets. And what an incredible experience it has been -- both personally and professionally!

Through presentations, meetings and workshops, UPJ leadership learned about tools and resources available to help their congregation articulate and implement social action goals. During these gatherings, I shared the incredible work being done by URJ congregations in North America: Fain Award-winning projects, Just Congregations community organizing campaigns, RAC L'Taken seminars and Mitzvah Corps experiences.

In addition, I had the pleasure of speaking about Nothing But Nets, our campaign to combat the spread of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa by providing $10 bed nets to families living in refugee camps along the border of Sudan. UPJ congregations have been involved in Nothing But Nets since 2008 -- and it shows! From sanctuary displays to bar and bat mitzvah projects, from young adult trivia night benefits to challah bake fundraisers, it is clear that UPJ is well on its way to reaching its goal to raise $50,000 for Nothing But Nets.
 

As I head back to the States, I realize I am bringing home more than I came with ... and I'm not just talking about gifts for family and friends. Through my travels, I have been inspired by incredible work and dedication of our sister congregations 'down under.' Beth Shalom congregation in Auckland, New Zealand has an on-site Biblical Garden and donates the harvest to a local shelter. North Shore Temple Emanuel of Sydney, Australia runs a successful, long-standing Aborigines literacy project. And I learned of many other congregations throughout Australia and New Zealand that are getting involved in Habitat for Humanity builds, asylum-seekers assistance programs and local issues of hunger and homelessness to name a few.

We may be separated by a vast expanse of water and a 15+ hour uncomfortable plane ride, but that should not (and will not) stop us from putting the Reform and Progressive Jewish value of "Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof" into action by sharing resources, learning from one another and building a global network of congregational social activism.