Social Action and Advocacy within the Diversity of Congregational Life

By Rabbi Karyn Kedar

BJBE is privileged to have members who are passionate and active in matters of social action and justice. Social Action at BJBE manifests itself through individuals and groups of people engaging in g’milut hasidim (acts of loving kindness and compassion) as well as tzedakah (the organizing and raising of money and resources to give away). Those who are passionate about social justice engage in activities such as advocacy and political engagement. Because of the political nature of advocacy and political involve an interesting conversation has emerged which continually raises the following questions: what is the nature of Social Action at BJBE; who has the right to represent the congregation in the public forum; when there are diverse political opinions, how does that conflict get resolved?

I have outlinedthirteen principles which represent my beliefs and can serve as a guideline for discussion.

  1. The synagogue is a diverse community with a wide spectrum of political views and social agendas.
  2. Discourse, argument and support for various points of view must be established within an atmosphere of freedom of expression without bullying, disrespect, and slander of the people who hold diverse points of view.
  3. Sub-groups within the diverse congregational community have the right to form and through study of Torah and commitment to matters of social conscience, work together to bring about political and social change.
  4. Despite the fact that there will often not be consensuses on a particular point of view, the solution to diversity is not silence. Leadership must stand for something and not be passive.
  5. Activism, diversity and tolerance do not mean that everything and anything is permitted in the name of the congregation. There are matters of principle which are defining and cannot be crossed. For example:
  • support for Israel
  • equal rights for GLBT
  • equal rights for women
  1. When there is a conflict or question concerning an ideological boundary, the Board is the arbiter of what is expressed in the name of the congregation. The Board must exercise this right with extreme caution and in rare cases.
  2. The Rabbi has freedom of the pulpit and the right to express ideas, opinions and take stands without seeking permission of the Board or community.
  3. Leadership on the Board or its committees must behave under the guidelines of the Covenant of Leadership and in the spirit of sacred partnership. If they do not they are to be relieved of their leadership position.
  4. In the congregation, there must be a balance of initiatives involving social action, advocacy and tzedakah without one group negating the other. The coordinating body is the Board who delegates the organizing to the Social Action Committee.
  5. The Commission on Social Action and the ReligiousActionCenter and the IsraelReligiousActionCenter are the official organizations within the Reform Movement. Publicly they are the voice of Reform Judaism, even though not every Reform Jew agrees with all the initiatives and platforms.
  6. UPJA does not speak for the Reform Movement. However, its work is supported by the Reform Movement under Just Congregations (a program within the URJ) and by Congregation BJBE who has voted to be a paying member.
  7. Any member of BJBE, or member of the clergy or staff, does not have to participate in a program or initiative of the above organizations if he or she does not agree with the principles of the program or initiatives. This is to be respected without question and without reproach.
  8. Reform Judaism from its inception has as its core value a commitment to Social Action and change. BJBE categorically affirms this commitment.