Social Action Committee

Mission

Priorities 2009-10

Israel

Objective: To help build an Israel that reflects our values: egalitarian, fair, and committed to tikun olam

Toronto Downtown Core

Objective: To address the Toronto downtown core's Jewish needs

Protecting Communities

Objective: To address discrimination and anti-semitism

Roles and Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on services for the needy in our neighbourhood.
• Provide opportunities for Jewish observance and connection to Jewish elders in local nursing homes.
• Focus on tikun olam links to holiday celebrations, such as collecting food for the hungry on Yom Kippur.
• Choose charities for each year's Yom Kipur appeal, make the appeal, and properly disburse the funds collected.
• Provide opportunities for Narayever congregants to participate in other activities for tikun olam, such as fund raising and/or outreach for emergencies on local to global scales and "hands on" activities.

Communication

Communicate tikun olam opportunities and successes to Shul members and the public, through the website, newsletter, and Narayever Net.

Ongoing Activities

• Out of the Cold
• Kensington Gardens
• Community Supported Agriculture: The First Narayever Congregation organizes a Community Supported Agriculture program in partnership with Tuv Ha'Aretz and Everdale Organic Farm and Environmental Learning Centre. For additional information please contact Andrea at andrea.most@utoronto.ca.
• Mitzvah Day: June 6, 2010

Tzedakah

Source of Funds

Each Yom Kippur, we ask those attending services to pledge contributions for select organizations. We collect the pledges over the next few months, and then distribute the funds collected. We appreciate prompt pledge fulfillment to limit collection costs.

Selection Process

Recognizing there are many worthy causes for The First Narayever Congregation to support, the process of selecting such causes is carefully managed. Applicants will be approved by the board on the recommendation of the Social Action Committee, which will evaluate each application for its appeal to our members, its likely effectiveness and its consistency with our priorities and values.

Organizations wishing to apply for funds should consult the funding application form and instructions

1. First, we will earmark most of our fundraising for a small number of designated partners. These organizations will be selected based on an annual application process.
2. Second, a certain percentage will be set aside for multiple smaller grants.

Funding Recipients