Darkei Tzedek Committee News

Beth El’s Darkei Tzedek (Social Justice) Committee met January 31 to identify vital issues and campaigns on which to focus in 2010.

Rabbis Davis and Olitzky attended the meeting, offering valuable ideas and support. Among the areas for practical action discussed were hunger, homelessness, state health-care legislation, and weaving environmental sustainability into Beth El’s forthcoming expansion/remodeling.

The Twin Cities-wide interfaith Joint Legal Religious Committee—on which Rabbi Olitzky serves—holds its annual “Day on the Hill” at the State Capitol on Thursday, March 25. Lobbying to promote equitable public policy, its immediate focus will be on urging lawmakers to reverse the more detrimental effects of funding unallotments announced last year. To learn how to participate, go to www.JRLC.org, or e-mail Rabbi Olitzky.

The Social Justice Committee encourages congregants interested in discussing Jane Goodall’s new book, A Reason for Hope, as a catalyst for social action to attend next month’s meeting, Sunday, March 7, at 9:30 a.m. Read the book, and come prepared to engage in a lively conversation.