SYNAGOGUE EXPLORES PERSONAL STORIES TO INSPIRE ACTION FOR JUSTICE
What: Congregation-wide Assembly
When: Sunday, December 2, 2007; 9:15 - 11 am
Where: Temple Shir Tikva, 141 Boston Post Road, Wayland, MA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Julie Kniznik (508-358-5287)
(Boston, November 27, 2007)
Hundreds of synagogue leaders will gather on Sunday at Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland, to share their personal stories of coping with common concerns as caring for aging parents, providing guidance for children and increasing alarm about environmental issues.
"You would be surprised at how many people, even in our suburban community struggle with difficult issues that are shared by people from all socio-economic levels," says Beth Sackstein, co-chair of social action at the temple. "In my family we face the dilemma of finding care for our aging parents. Our goal is to inspire our community to take action for change. We hope that policy makers will pay close attention and hear their constituents' real concerns."
Joining the congregation will be members of Saint Tarsius, a largely Brazilian church in Framingham who will underscore the common problems that unite inner-city and suburban populations.
"These issues affect all of us. We must stand together to create change in our society," expressed Julie Kniznik, co-chair of the initiative.
Over the last year congregants have held 30 meetings in their homes to identify their main concerns through sharing personal stories. This approach to community organizing through religious congregations has been used effectively in our state. More recently, organizers were a driving force behind the effort to provide affordable health care in Massachusetts.
Thomas P. Conroy, MA State Representative from Wayland will attend to show his support. He will be responding to the Temple's concerns. He will also speak about partnering with the community on these issues.
The Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston provided training and guidance for this initiative. The Nathan Cummings Foundation underwrites JCRC's work organizing synagogues throughout the Greater Boston area. The Foundation seeks to expand organizing into other communities over the next few years.
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