Congregational Tikkun Olam Opportunities at Biennial

This year’s Biennial will provide many opportunities to learn about social justice issues and ways to engage your community in action and advocacy. This year at Biennial, the Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) track will feature 40 social justice-themed learning sessions, a keynote and an exciting plenary program. There will be ample opportunity to learn about how your congregation can commit to engaging in Tikkun Olam this year. See below for some ways highlights at Biennial:

GreenFaith

Learn about how to engage your congregation in environment justice at Biennial. Join Stacey Kennealy from GreenFaith, Rabbi Shoshanah Conover of Temple Sholom in Chicago, Illinois and Rachel Landman, Legislative Assistant at the Religious Action Center in a discussion about meaningful sustainable initiatives for congregations. The workshop, “Environmental Justice: Engaging Your Entire Congregation in Meaningful Initiatives,” will be held on Wednesday, November 4 from 1:30 - 2:45 pm.

GreenFaith, an interfaith organization that helps houses of worship join in environmental stewardship, has partnered with the RAC since 2010 to engage congregations in sustainable practices. This session will focus on ideas to green your congregation and lifestyle through actions such as energy audits and community gardens, and also explore environmental programing and advocacy. 

Can't attend Biennial? Find tips to green your congregation through GreenFaith's resource center. You can also take action by urging your representatives to support the Green Climate Fund, an international fund that aids developing countries in climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies. 

Transgender Inclusion

At Biennial, the URJ will consider a proposed resolution on the rights of transgender and gender non-conforming people. The RAC, in partnership with Keshet, is also launching an in-depth congregational guide for transgender inclusion. This guide will cover topics from worship services, life-cycle events, programming and educational opportunities and more.

At Biennial (at the RAC booth and in transgender related workshops) and online, a shorter resource is  available outlining the first important steps that congregations can take to become more inclusive of transgender and gender non-conforming people.

Advocacy for People Experiencing Homelessness

Congregations around the country are finding innovative ways to provide shelter for those experiencing homelessness while also helping move individuals and families into permanent housing. At Biennial, on Friday November 6 from 11:15 AM-12:30 PM Rabbi Robert Levy and Diane Bear will speak about their synagogue’s approaches to providing these vital services. If you can’t attend Biennial but still want to help combat homelessness, take action by urging Congress to fund the National Housing Trust Fund to provide housing to low income families.

Hope to see you at URJ Biennial 2015. If you cannot join us in Orlando Florida next week, you can livestream many of the plenary sessions. In addition, many of the resources presented at the biennial workshops will be available for your use on the URJ Yammer page. Hope you take advantage of all of these resources in your communities.