Social Justice

The Shir Hadash Social Justice committee engages in sustained effort to bring about systemic social change. An important part of its work involves participation in a faith based community organizing network.

The Social Justice committee is sometimes referred to as SHOC or the Shir Hadash Organizing Committee. In the PACT (People Acting in Community Together) network we belong to, member congregation’s social justice groups are referred to as an “organizing committee.” The Social Justice (SHOC) and Social Action committees are two separate groups, each with a unique mission.

What Can You Do?

Attend one of SHOC’s monthly meetings.

Meetings are the first Wednesday of every month, at 7:00 pm. See the online newsletter, eHadashot, for details.

For more information, contact .

Recent Accomplishments

• A community meeting at Shir Hadash on health reform with U..S Representatives Zoe Lofgren and Mike Honda The meeting was attended by over 300 people including a large interfaith group of clergy.
• Health care Shabbat service devoted to sharing health insurance stories and relevant Jewish law and tradition.
• Press conference urging the media to spread the news of the silent pain and creeping crisis in Silicon Valley caused by the state of our current health insurance system.

Learn more about health care reform at:

• www.coverallfamilies.org
• www.standupforhealthcare.org
• www.communitycatalyst.org
• www.americaspeaks.org

Method

In the PACT network, local organizing committees act on a range of social problems using a consistent cycle of organizing. This cycle involves leadership development, building relationships by listening to people’s concerns, research on alternative solutions to problems, and actions in the form of large meetings designed to educate, motivate and influence public decision makers and individual citizens.

SHOC reaches out to congregants through house parties and one on one conversations to learn what members are concerned about. Most recently, Shir Hadash congregants have expressed concerns about:

• Lack of health insurance coverage
• Disparity in the quality of education in different school districts
• Environment
• Problems of poverty, housing, immigration, transportation and senior/elder care.