Justice, Justice, You Shall Pursue

Written By Jeffrey Cammisa

Many may wonder why “justice” is so ingrained in Jewish culture and teachings. Jewish people believe this connection is tied to a popular biblical verse from Deuteronomy. The verse reads, “Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof,” which translates to, “Justice, justice, you shall pursue” and it serves as a moral compass for Jewish life.

“Tzedek, Tzedek Tirdof” has been a way of life for generations among Jews. American Jews played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement in the sixties. So much so that the Union for Reform Judaism and Central Conference of American Rabbis founded “the RAC,” or Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. The RAC has fervently supported social justice causes, from civil rights to contemporary issues over LGBT equality. As a historical footnote, the drafting of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 both took place in RAC’s conference room in Washington D.C.

Community Synagogue of Rye (CSR), which just celebrated its 70th anniversary in the Rye community, is one of many synagogues in Westchester with close ties to the RAC and other social justice programs. CSR’s board president, Sue Zeitlin explains it like this: “As one of our core principles, our synagogue’s vision is to be a caring Jewish community that adds meaning and purpose to our lives, and helps to repair the world.” Zeitlin goes on to add, “to do this we engage on issues of local, national and global concern; we participate in interfaith coalitions and activities; we speak out on behalf of the vulnerable; and we seek justice for all. It’s who we are. It’s what we do.”

This calling for “Justice, justice, you shall pursue,” resonates with all members of the synagogue. Recently, CSR’s tenth grade students from many of the Rye and Rye Brook schools, together with CSR’s Youth Director Yael Farber, attended the RAC L’Taken seminar on social justice in Washington, D.C. Neither the government shutdown nor a blustery snowstorm could keep this energized group from Capitol Hill to use their voices to address public policy issues and advocate for social change and repair of our world.

CSR congregants lead the charge on many other social action fronts. Congregants are working with the Community Resource Center, which serves the immigrant community by helping promote cultural, economic, educational and professional integration into the Westchester community. CSR members are involved with the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, a Jewish American nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian aid and assistance to refugees within the community. Synagogue members are also active in Soul Ryeders, an organization that provides support and resources to people in our community affected by all types of cancer. This organization runs programs like the wig exchange, Soul Strong to focus on exercise, nutrition, art therapy and emotional support for cancer survivors, and Soul Cares for those undergoing treatment.

Members of the synagogue are also involved with Helping Hands, which lends support to the homeless and hungry in Rye. Yes, believe it or not, there are people in our surrounding community in need of shelter and food. Helping Hands sponsors programs like Undie Fundie, which provides undergarments for adults and adolescents, Third Thursday Sandwiches at a Soup Kitchen, Dinner at Noon, Project Refresh, which provides full-sized toiletries to shelters and Mission Backpack which provides full backpacks for school children.

Jewish communities today continue to work on behalf of civil rights, not only for people of color, but of women, people with disabilities, the disenfranchised, homeless, and gay and lesbian, bisexual and transgender. At Community Synagogue of Rye and synagogues throughout the country, social justice is ingrained in their DNA.

If you’d like to find out more about getting involved in social justice programs within our community, reach out to the individual organizations, or contact Community Synagogue of Rye at comsynrye.org.