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Congregation Shomrei Torah
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Social Action

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Postcarding for Democracy 2024

 

 

Congratulations! You stepped up to help and your participation in this project will make a difference in the November election.

In our just completed nine-week campaign, CST members hand wrote 6,290  postcards targeted to get out the vote in Georgia. This state has a documented history of voter suppression, especially in rural communities of color. We estimate that approximately 200 CST families participated in this effort.

Many upcoming races are very close and will be decided by a few thousand votes.

Thank you very, very much  for helping.

~The Social Action Committee

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Fall 2023 Series

Facing the Challenges... Together ("The Future") Presented on Nov 5th. This event was not recorded. In a community in conversation format, we explored ways minority communities can mutually support each other.


Racism: From Underground to "In Your Face" ("The Present") Presented on Oct 15th. Click Here to watch the recording. Antisemitism and anti-Asian racism is rising after staying underground for decades. How bad is it? How are we feeling the effects? How are our youth experiencing it? 


Sonoma Stories: Starting Over in a Strange Land ("The Past") Presented on Sep 10th. Click Here to watch the recording. Discover the fascinating histories of Jewish, Japanese, Chinese, and Filipino immigration to Sonoma County. 

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Spring 2023 Series

Latin Jewish history and the current experience of Latin Jews in the Bay Area with Jewtina y Co. Watch the Recording Here. Originally Aired January 22

Building an inclusive Jewish community for Black, African American, and mixed-race Jews with Be’chol Lashon. Watch the Recording Here. Originally Aired February 26

Sample an Asian Jewish Seder with LUNAR. Originally Aired March 11

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Click Here to volunteer for a shift at Elisha’s Pantry.

 

Check out a Social Action Committee meeting. For more info, contact the office.

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Social Action Committee Accomplishments in 2022 

January - August - We arranged and worked on the “Reclaim Our Vote” postcard campaign. Over 6500 postcards were sent to voters from Congregation Shomrei Torah.

June - Many Social Action committee members as well as other congregants marched in the annual Santa Rosa Gay Pride Parade. A phenomenal community event.

July - Several committee members attended the Reproductive Rights March in Santa Rosa. Some committee members participated in non-partisan political canvassing with NBOP in Petaluma.

October - Some individual members of the Social Action Committee did political canvassing work in Arizona, Nevada, and Central California.

November - We worked with the STaRS children and staff to prepare 500 bags of needed items to be handed out to those unsheltered in our community. A true mitzvah project for all of us. We will be doing more intergenerational work with the children into the new year.

December - We organized our annual successful Winter Clothing Drive for Elisha’s Pantry. Some committee members worked with the STaRS children at their annual Hannukah event.

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Ongoing SAC Projects

Elisha’s Pantry

We partner with Christ United Methodist Church and Bethlehem Lutheran Church to distribute food to people in need.  The pantry, which is at 1717 Yulupa Avenue, is open on Thursday afternoons. To sign up to work at the pantry, click here.

Other Projects

The Social Action Committee has presented films, forums, and panel discussions highlighting current issues. Past programs have addressed criminal justice reform, homelessness, election concerns, gun violence, money bail, immigration issues, the climate crisis and much more. If there is an issue of specific importance to you, please let us know – and join us. For more information, contact the CST office.

Social Action Resources

The Religious Action Center for Reform Judaism, California is a valuable resource with up-to-date analyses of key social justice topics through a Jewish lens. The RAC also has action guides for urgent social issues specifically within our state, read more.

Wed, April 30 2025 2 Iyar 5785