Social justice and advocacy are integral facets of our TSTI community. Our congregation has a longstanding commitment to and passion for tikkun olam — a commitment that has only increased in recent years. Members of all ages lead, participate, and act on issues of import to our congregation, and to our wider society. Inspired by Jewish values, TSTI strives to help build a more just world by partnering with our elected officials, community groups, and neighboring faith communities with the intention of improving the lives of those around us, safeguarding individual rights and freedoms, and helping all people to live their lives with dignity.
For more information about any of the initiatives described below, or to get more involved, contact TSTI’s VP of Tzedek, Mark Lowenthal.
TSTI Social Justice Initiative
The TSTI Social Justice Initiative is made up of a number of TSTI members who are working to identify and advocate for social justice issues and engage the wider TSTI community in this sacred work. We partner with RAC, NCJW and other local nonprofits to focus on nonpartisan issues with a goal of tikkun olam, healing what is broken in the world. This group is part of the Tzedek team, and all TSTI members are invited to join to focus on issues they care about.
Religious Action Center (RAC) & RAC-NJ
TSTI is proud to be a partner to RAC-NJ, which works to organize state-wide, 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.
The TSTI Green Team
Jewish tradition calls us to be shomrei adamah – guardians of the earth. As climate change continues unabated, that responsibility is more important than ever! The TSTI Green Team focuses on climate justice in partnership with the national Reform movement efforts, as well as environmental improvements to the TSTI campus.
Our Community Partners
Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
TSTI works closely with the ADL, the leading anti-hate organization in the world, as a Signature Synagogue. ADL’s Signature Synagogue Program ignites congregation-wide commitment to raising awareness of and speaking out against antisemitism and hate. Each year TSTI sends a delegation of congregants to the annual Never is Now Conference, the world’s largest summit on antisemitism and hate. In addition, the ADL provides programming that we bring to our TSTI community to learn about what is happening in our world and what we can do to combat hate. Read more at www.adl.org.
National Council of Jewish Women/Essex (NCJW/Essex)
NCJW/Essex is a grassroots organization driven by progressive ideals. They give back to the community, advocate for issues that drive economic and social justice aligned with our Jewish values, and connect with others to form forever friendships.
For more than 100 years the women of NCJW/Essex have worked tirelessly in the pursuit of social justice for our community. They strive to influence public policy and improve social conditions for women, children and families through lobbying, grassroots activism, coalition-building, and educational training. Read more at www.ncjw.org.
South Orange-Maplewood Interfaith Clergy Association
We are committed to the ongoing work of building bridges to our neighboring faith communities. Our clergy are all deeply engaged in this work and we offer programming, often around social justice issues, in partnership with other local houses of worship. For more information about these efforts, please contact Rabbi Klein.