Social justice and advocacy are as integral to who TSTI is as worship. Our congregation has longstanding commitment to and passion for tikkun olam — a commitment that has significantly increased in recent years. Members of all ages lead, participate and act on issues of import to our society, our congregation and the world. From anti-bias programs sponsored by the Social Action Task Force to exciting opportunities to partner with neighboring faith communities, together, we will build this world from love.
Social Justice Task Force
In February 2019, Rabbi Cohen, Cantor Moses and 29 members of the Temple participated in a Civil Rights tour in Mississippi, Georgia, and Alabama. So inspired, the group turned this experience into action, creating the Social Justice Task Force to advocate, inform and engage the Temple community and the community-at-large, and to promote social justice through education, collaboration, and action.
Since its formation, the Social Justice Task Force has focused on issues such as immigration, antiracism and anti-bias, and voter registration. Clergy-curated antiracism educational materials are available for all ages.
The Social Justice Task Force meets the third Wednesday of each month September – June (on Zoom for now) from 7:30 to 8:30 pm. To receive a link to join and check us out, contact Alison Oxman prior to a scheduled meeting.
Religious Action Center (RAC) & RAC-NJ: Advocating for policy change in our home state!
TSTI is proud to be a partner to RAC-NJ, which works to organize across lines of difference to ensure that our Reform Jewish values, including pikuach nefesh (saving lives), chesed (compassion), and tzedek (justice), are included in policymaking as our state leaders work to build a more just and compassionate society for all New Jersey residents. For more information, or to get involved, contact Barbara Schwartz, Mark Lowenthal, and Aaron Bernstein.