Our congregation is passionately committed to Tikkun Olam (Repairing our World). This includes advocating for racial and economic justice, fighting for women’s and LGBTQ rights and inclusion, championing climate activism, and partnering with diverse local groups to change our world for the better!
Here’s a run-down of social action projects either currently in place or planned for the future at RSNS. If you are interested in participating in any of these efforts, or to join our robust Social Action Committee, please contact Cantor Eric (). We need your imagination, dedication, and participation to help RSNS help the world!
Through our membership in TANS (The Tikkun Alliance of the North Shore), we participate in partnership collection drives throughout the year.
We also collect non-perishable food for the Harry Chapin food bank during the High Holidays, and for the Community Needs Bank of the Sid Jacobson JCC throughout the year.
Approximately 6 times per year, a member of our clergy team leads our community in a fun, intergenerational Sunday morning making 200 sandwiches that go into 100 bag lunches for Our Lady of Fatima Social Outreach.
B’nai Mitzvah Social Action Projects – Every student at RSNS commits to undertaking a social action project as part of their journey towards becoming b’nei mitzvah. They are given resources to help them find a project or a cause that is personally meaningful to them, and they speak about their efforts the Friday night prior to the service when they are called to the Torah.
Our Social Action Family Havurot program joins together to build connections, create community, and help make the world a better place. Each seasonal Havurah meets three times for social action experiences.
RSNS Junior and Senior Youth Groups (Or Hadash and Kesher Hadash) engage in a number of social action projects throughout the year, such as volunteering at a NYC soup kitchen, working with Habitat for Humanity, and supporting local fundraising efforts (walks, drives, etc.)
RSNS has been a congregational leader in greening efforts. We were an early adopter of energy efficient lighting, and through our membership in the Jewish Greening Fellowship, we undertook a complete high-efficiency upgrade of all general purpose lighting in our building. We also continue to use compostable plates, cups, and flatware made from natural material at all synagogue events. Our community is also committed to advocating for global change, and many of our members have participated in Climate Marches.
Mitzvah Day – Every year RSNS members come together to participate in a wide variety of social action projects in and around our community. Our hope is that this will not be simply a one-day experience, but will lead to continued and expanded social action engagement for our members. In addition to our own Annual Mitzvah Day, RSNS participates in the SJJCC Day of Service on Martin Luther King Day, and the Port Washington Community-wide Mitzvah Day, which brings together participants from every synagogue in Port Washington to perform acts of loving kindness, meet new people, form new friendships and work together in the spirit of community service.
Through our active partnership with Bend the Arc, our community has been involved in successful campaigns to raise the minimum wage, and fight for justice in the criminal justice system.
Our congregation is in the process of becoming a HIAS Welcome Circle, and we have made the act of welcoming and resettling a refugee family a priority goal for the coming year.
