"It is not the study of Torah that is the essential thing; it is the doing of Torah; And, the doing of Torah means the doing of social justice. Tikkun Olam, the creating of a better world, provides a powerful answer to the question of why be Jews."

Enable synagogue members to integrate Jewish values into community services.
Promote social change in and out of the immediate community and provide help for people in need.
Incorporate Tikkun Olam into all aspects of the congregation and into all aspects of the congregants’ lives.

Meetings are the first or second Sunday of the month. They will be held in the CBSRZ social hall at 9:45 AM. The complete schedule can be found from this link.

Darfur
United We Serve
healthcare4every1
Nothing But Nets
Rabbi's For Human Rights
Shoreline Soup Kitchens

Help Restore Humanitarian Aid to Millions in Darfur

Sign the open letter to President Obama

With the rainy season in Darfur approaching and aid yet to be restored, we're calling for bold, agenda-setting leadership on Sudan. The Save Darfur Coalition, ENOUGH Project, and GI-NET have issued an open letter outlining a plan of action for President Obama.

We need bold leadership to restore aid and end the violence—click here to sign a citizen open letter to President Obama.

The government of Sudan recently expelled 13 international aid organizations from Darfur, putting the lives of millions in danger. The situation is dire and will require the entire international community to come together to avert rapid and substantial loss of life. American Jewish World Services (AJWS) is asking people of conscience to send a letter to their representatives in Congress.
Be a Voice for Darfur

President Barack Obama's opportunity to turn his promises into action has come. And our opportunity to hold him accountable has begun. Help us ensure that Darfur is a priority.

American Jewish World Services http://ajws.org/emergencies/darfur/

Save Darfur www.savedarfur.org

Genocide Intervention Network www.genocideintervention.net

United States Holocaust Museum http://www.ushmm.org/conscience/

United We Serve

Since his Inauguration, the President has called on all Americans to serve our communities and be a part of building a better future for our country. And given this unique moment in our history with the unprecedented challenges we are facing, there isn't a more important time than now for us to get involved.

That is why the President is announcing United We Serve -- a call to action for all Americans to volunteer this summer and be part of building a new foundation for America, one community at a time. Follow this link for more information.

Health Care For Everyone

Last year, CBSRZ joined with other faith groups in Connecticut to work towards passing legislation that would create a health care system that can better serve all residents of our state. Please join us in this endeavor. Complete details are available from this link.

Nothing But Nets Campaign

Malaria is preventable, but infects nearly 500 million people each year and kills more than one million of those who become infected. Ninety percent of deaths caused by malaria occur in Africa where the disease is a leading killer of children. Every 30 seconds a child dies from malaria. Children who are able to survive the disease are faced with physical and mental impairments, such as poor growth and development. ~ more information ~

Founded in 2002, Rabbis for Human Rights - North America (RHR-NA) is an organization of rabbis from all streams of Judaism dedicated to expanding support for the mission and work of RHR in Israel, and to education and advocacy on human rights issues in North America.

K'vod Habriot: A Jewish Human Rights Network Help us build a national network that will make universal human rights a core commitment of the Jewish community.

We are rabbis, communities, and individuals dedicated to the human rights of all. The name K'vod Habriot comes from the rabbinic concept of respect for the dignity of all people.http://www.rhr-na.org/

Take Action: Read about the recently released Torture Memos and find out what you can do to end torture for good

There are still steps we must take to end U.S.-sponsored torture for good. This June, communities across the country will observe Torture Awareness Month. We ask you to take action in your community to both remember all those around the world who have been victims of torture and to call for a Commission of Inquiry to investigate actions taken by the United States since 9/11 towards detainees. This year, we celebrate the accomplishments in bringing closer an end to U.S.-sponsored torture and take real steps to ensure that we never use these techniques again.

Steps you can take:

Support NRCAT's call for a Commission of Inquiry. Join other people of faith in calling for a bipartisan, independent Commission to investigate American torture policy since 9/11. The NRCAT page includes sample OpEds, a petition version of the call for a Commission of Inquiry, and a place for you to endorse.

Call the White House at 202-456-1111 and express your support for an investigation of American use of torture. Or email the President at http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/.

Jay Bybee, one of the authors of the Torture Memos, is now a federal judge. The New York Times has called for his impeachment. Join the Center for Constitutional Rights in demanding a hearing of the House Judiciary Committee on whether the grounds exist to impeach Bybee.

Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries

CBSRZ has been a partner of the Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries for many years. Our congregants volunteer at local meal sites, donate food weekly, and support our annual High Holiday Food Drive. In March of 2008 we added a “stuff-a-truck” event at the Stop & Shop in Old Saybrook. ~ more information ~