Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly now. Love mercy now. Walk humbly now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.

from the Talmud, Pirkei Avos (Ethics/Chapters of the Fathers) 2:16

Repairing the world, tikkun olam, social justice, racial, economic, and gender equity – these values have resonated deeply within the BHS community since our founding. Our activities range from the BHS homeless shelter, now in its 4th decade, to our ever-present and ever-responsive congregational involvement in battling racial injustice, to new initiatives suggested by individuals among us, like abortion access, the climate crisis, and so much more. Through both advocacy and direct action, we at Brooklyn Heights Synagogue work together and with partners to make real the vision of a fair and just world for all.
ON-GOING INITIATIVES

Here are just a few examples of the social justice work congregants are leading:

Climate Crisis
Working with Religious Action Center New York (RAC/NY) and other organizations BHS lobbied local legislators to pass key climate legislation, advocated for the passage of the first Environment Bond Initiative in 25 years, and urged our City Council (with Council Member Lincoln Restler) to approve an NYC climate protection resolution.

Expanding Abortion Rights
In response to the Dobbs decision, BHS members have partnered with other organizations including the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), to ensure that NY remains a place where access to abortion is protected.

Immigration Reform and the Refugee Crisis
From lobbying elected officials to donating needed items to helping settle newcomers, BHS congregants are deeply involved in supporting immigrants and refugees. We often partner with HIAS and the Synagogue Coalition on the Refugee and Immigration Crisis (SCRIC).

Reforming our Criminal Legal Systems
We work on parole reform, prison reform and other initiatives that seek to reimagine our criminal legal system. We’re proud to be a member of the Jewish Coalition for Criminal Justice (JCCJR).

Protecting and Promoting the Vote
Our activities include joining with partners at Center for Common Ground and Reclaim Our Vote on postcard-writing campaigns to get out the vote, often in black and brown communities where turnout is low, and other actions that protect this fundamental right.

JOIN THE EFFORT

The BHS Social Justice Committee organizes congregant volunteers, communicates to the larger BHS community about opportunities for involvement, and amplifies the social justice concerns and interests of our individual members. Share your interest and get involved by contacting co-chairs Andrea Feller at andfell718@gmail.com or Cliff Fonstein at chfonstein@gmail.com.

Members joined a protest demanding the closure of Rikers Island. Cliff Fonstein, co-chair of the Social Justice Committee pays tribute to Tarz Youngblood – a father of three who could not afford bail while awaiting trial and one of the 19 prisoners who died at Rikers in 2022.

EXAMPLES OF OUR PAST WORK

Here are some of the recent social justice actions, collaborations, and successes we’re proud to have played a role in:

Legislative Advocacy
BHS joined RAC in these legislative campaigns:
• Less is More, restricting the use  of incarceration for technical violations of parole, which impeded parolees from successfully reintegrating into their communities, with no measurable benefit to public safety  [2021]

• Repeal of NY Civil Rights Law 50-a, which prevented disclosure of police misconduct records [2020]

• Protect Our Courts, preventing ICE from making warrantless arrests in state courts [2020]

• Greenlight NY, enabling undocumented immigrants to obtain drivers’ licenses [2019]

• A BHS delegation lobbied representatives in both Washington D.C. and Albany on a range of issues including the Dreamer Act (allowing young children born in the U.S. to undocumented immigrants to stay here), reproductive freedom, gun violence prevention, equity for transgender people, and early voting. [2018-19]

Immigration and Refugees
• Sponsored a group of congregants to travel to Brownsville, Texas/Matamoros, Mexico border to help provide meals and legal and medical services to refugees waiting to enter the US [2020]

• Joined SCRIC, the Synagogue Coalition on the Refugee and Immigration Crisis, a local network of synagogues and other groups sharing information and advocating for refugees [2019]

• Adopted a resolution declaring BHS a sanctuary synagogue [2017]

• Collected donations of clothing and other items for refugees, such as a coat drive for Afghan refugees temporarily housed at Fort Dix, NJ [2021] and another for Venezuelan refugees [2021]

• Are members of “Brownstone Brooklyn Synagogue Refugee Project,” helping refugees resettle by raising funds and assisting with medical direction, school enrollment, and job search

Sustaining Democracy
• Participated in postcard campaigns to “low turn out” voters in vulnerable states in primary and general elections, hosted by Center for Common Ground in partnership with RAC/NY and working with BHS neighbor, First Presbyterian Church [2018 and on-going]

Anti-Semitism
• Supported “No Hate No Fear” Solidarity March with participation in rallies in Cadman Plaza Park and Foley Square, sponsored by UJA Federation of NY and NY Board of Rabbis [2020]

• Joined the virtual “Walk Against Hate” sponsored by ADL and raised funds for their anti-bias and anti-extremist education and advocacy programs [2020]

Racial Equity
• In 2020, observed MLK holiday and legacy with weekend programs including screening/discussion of James Baldwin’s “I Am Not Your Negro,” a film about James Baldwin and his work, and interactive/moderated discussion about “Learning to Dismantle Racism in a Post-King Era”

• In 2021, our MLK weekend focused on the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and the reverberations we see today.

MISSION STATEMENT
The Social Justice Committee plans and sponsors actions and initiatives to promote our progressive Jewish values to pursue justice and enhance civil and human rights in our broader community and the world. Our focus is wide-ranging, broadly encompassing racial equity and economic justice, and may address such topics as criminal justice reform, immigration rights, reproductive justice, efforts to combat discrimination, including anti-Semitism, voting rights, and gun control. Initiatives include educational programming, legislative advocacy, and community action. The Working Group often partners with URJ’s Religious Action Center (RAC), other like-minded faith-based organizations, such as other Synagogues and houses of worship, and unaffiliated advocacy groups. We seek feedback and ideas from BHS members concerning topics and initiatives. Consistent with legal and policy requirements, our endeavors are conducted in a non-partisan manner.