1. Home
2. Community
3. Social Justice

Social Justice

Mission and Vision of the Tzedek Council

Mission:
Congregation Emanu-El’s Tzedek Council responds to the indignities impacting our community by translating our Reform Jewish values into social justice action that will transform our world into a more just society.

Vision:
The Tzedek Council offers a variety of social justice service and partnership opportunities to catalyze congregant action, integrates Tikkun Olam throughout all Temple programming, and provides a place for Emanu-El members to build community and engage more broadly to bring healing and justice to our world.

What is the Tzedek Council?

The Congregation Emanu-El Tzedek Council was launched in August 2015 as a congregant, board, and clergy run group, charged with the task of raising our participation and impact in the social justice arena. 

Contact Rebecca Reiner ([email protected]) if you are interested in finding out more about Tzedek Council! 

I pledge to vote 2020

As Jews and Americans, we have an obligation to participate in elections to ensure that policies at the local, state and national levels bring us closer to achieving our vision of a world where all people experience wholeness, justice, and compassion. Rabbi Yitzhak taught, “A ruler is not to be appointed unless the community is first consulted” (Talmud, Brakhot 55a). To ensure that our voices and commitment to social justice are heard in the public sphere, we must educate ourselves on the voting process, register, and show up at the polls. We also have a responsibility to engage across lines of difference and ensure that access to voting is a reality for all.

This year, Emanu-El is setting a goal to have 100% of our congregation vote. We’ll be working over the coming months to give everyone in our community the information and encouragement to vote. This effort is non-partisan. Our goal is not to elect particular candidates or parties, but rather to encourage every eligible citizen to vote and ensure that they are able to do so. This voter pledge form is a way to make a commitment to yourself that you plan to vote. It’s also an easy way to ask for help with how to vote, especially given the uncertainty around our elections during COVID. The information is private and won’t be shared outside of temple leadership who are organizing these efforts.

I pledge to vote 2020 here!

Thank you for your participation,
Rabbis Ryan Bauer and Jason Rodich

Share your bread with the hungry, and take the wretched poor into your home; when you see the naked, clothe them. (Isaiah 58:7)

In Judaism, the mitzvah of Tzedekah (giving to those in need) is not considered a good deed or a generous act—instead it is considered something that should be done simply because it is the right thing to do. At Emanu-El we want to help you achieve this goal through our partnerships with various local non-profit agencies who care for others during their time of need.

The Homeless Crisis in San Francisco

Youth experiencing homelessness need your advocacy now!

Our long-standing partner Larkin Street Youth Services faces devastating budget cuts from the state of California to its emergency services and housing programs. Larkin’s 904 youths are now at risk of getting put back out on the streets.

We’re asking you to contact Governor Gavin Newsom and urge him to restore the Homeless Youth Emergency Services and Housing Program in his budget.

*In California, over 12,000 young people are without a safe place to sleep. Over 80% are young people of color and 46% identify as LGBTQ+.

Support youth experiencing homelessness with a Sunday night dinner delivery!
Sunday Dinner delivery to G-House
Sunday evenings, 5:00 pm 
Sign up here

For over two years, every Sunday night Emanu-El congregants have provided dinner for the youth living at G-House (a transitional home for youth experiencing homelessness run by Larkin Street Youth Services), by bringing food and then breaking bread together. While these dinners at G-House have been cancelled due to social distancing, we still need your help supporting the youth living there.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Emanu-El volunteers are continuing to do this mitzvah by ordering a Sunday night meals (a lot of pizza!) from local restaurants and having it them delivered to G-House. These dinners are very meaningful, as each dinner we give lets the youth know that our Emanu-El community continues to care for them despite the current challenges.

We look forward to resuming these in person dinners at G-House when it is safe for all. 

It was a pure pleasure to be with the team at G-House on Sunday night. Like with most volunteering, I think I got more than I gave. Seeing these amazing youth how they are trying to navigate their lives was inspiring. What a privilege to be able to bring some lasagna, salad and amazing snacks to fill their bellies and have authentic conversations. It made me proud to be part of the Emanuel community.
– Emanu-El volunteer

Our youth really enjoy volunteers cooking (bringing dinners too) for them, taking time out of their busy lives and engaging in their home. As you can see our residents are amazing human beings, strong, bright and talented! It’s a beautiful thing to see different cultures, community getting together and breaking bread so to speak and filling the room with pure unconditional love and humanity. Thank you all!
-G-House staff

The Tzedek Council is excited to start a new partnership for the new year with the Homeless Prenatal Program.  Throughout the year there will be opportunities for congregants to support the work and families of HPP. 

The Tzedek Council is grateful to be working with the Homeless Prenatal Program (HPP) this year.  
Opportunities to help HPP coming soon!

Year-round Collection Bins
We have clothing and household collection bins year-round at Emanu-El for St. Anthony’s and non-perishable food collection bins for both the San Francisco Food Bank and Jewish Family and Children.

Update – June 24, 2020
Donations are not being accepted at this time.