Social Action Websites

Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism

The official website of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism can be searched for resolutions, initiatives, and information on the social action themes of Passover.

NFTY

NFTY’s “Social Action Presence on the Web” contains materials for social action chairs of youth groups around the country. The above link goes to NFTY’s Program Bank, which provides programs under categories including Children’s Issues, Hunger/Homelessness, and Political Action.

Kesher: Connecting Reform Jews on Campus

Kesher provides a Social Action Resource page with programming ideas in a number of areas, including Hunger, Environment, Gun Control, Literacy, and more. They also include links to other major Jewish and social action oriented organizations.

Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life

Hillel provides opportunities for Jewish students to explore and celebrate their Jewish identity through its global network of over 500 regional centers, campus Foundations and Hillel student organizations. The Hillel website provides a wide variety of materials for college students and beyond. Following the Jewish resources page, then clicking on “Holidays and Rituals” will link to the Passover section. Hillel offers extensive resources, readings, Divrei Torah, and Seders available for use.

MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger

MAZON offers a number of readings and resources relating to issues of hunger for use during Passover and throughout the year.

Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life

The Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL) promotes environmental education, scholarship, advocacy, and action in the American Jewish community. It’s website provides environmental program ideas for congregations and individuals during Jewish holidays, including a special Haggadah, available at: www.coejl.org/celebrate/pass_hag.shtml.

The Shalom Center

The Shalom Center contains a number of excellent Social Justice Haggadot. Examples include The New Freedom Seder and Seder for the Children of Abraham, Hagar, and Sarah. Consult the website for the most current programming ideas and newest publications.

Rabbis for Human Rights

Rabbis for Human Rights (RHR), founded in 1988, is an organization of over 100 Israeli rabbis and rabbinical students committed to defending the human rights of everyone in Israel and in the territories under Israeli control: Israelis and Palestinians, Muslims, Christians and Jews, young and old, rich and poor, citizens and foreigners. RHR includes members of the Orthodox, Conservative, Reconstructionist, Reform and Renewal Movements. RHR has no affiliation with any party or ideology. The North American rabbinic associations of the Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist movements have endorsed RHR. The above link includes many additional readings and resources for the Passover Seder.

Jewish Social Justice Network

Established in 2000, the Jewish Social Justice Network (JSJN) is a national network of Jewish organizations that promote the involvement of Jews in local social justice work across the United States through community organizing, advocacy, activism, training and education. JSJN's 2003 resource guide includes alternative Haggadah readings and Divrei Torah. The selections speak boldly, eloquently and at times with humor, about slavery, tyranny and oppression; freedom, liberation and resistance. Throughout they affirm that, “we remember our past in order to be engaged with our present,” and that Jewish history, ritual and traditions compel us to tikkun olam, the healing and repair of the world.

Socialaction.com

Socialaction.com is an online magazine dedicated to pursuing justice, building community, and repairing the world. A wealth of materials for social action-based programming, readings, and supplements related to Passover and other holidays can be found at the above link.

AVODAH: the Jewish Service Corps

AVODAH: the Jewish Service Corps is a yearlong program combining front-line anti-poverty work, Jewish study, and community-building.   It provides an opportunity for young adults to live out and deepen their commitments to Jewish life and social change through a year of work in low-income communities in New York City or Washington, DC. Its website contains the two sample text studies related to Passover and social action concerns which are included in Appendix II.

Foundation for Family Education

A Jewish Free Resource website, run by Rabbi Barry Dov Lerner. A Passover Guide and Seder Supplement are available with many types of readings and ideas.

Myjewishlearning.com

A great site for general information, applications, and study materials surrounding the observance of Passover.