Earlier this year, the Bet Ha’am Social Action Committee developed a survey to help us determine our direction, as well as projects and activities for the upcoming year and into the future. The survey was available to the congregation on-line and in hard copy throughout the spring of 2011.
Nearly 60 people completed the survey. The Committee was impressed by the strong interest in social justice issues that was apparent in the responses and by the desire for the synagogue to more fully integrate social action into services, the religious school and other contexts. Many of the people who completed the survey are already involved with social action activities; the Committee sees its challenge as getting more people to participate in activities in a Jewish context as part of Bet Ha’am.
The major issues identified in the survey for future projects include poverty in Maine; marriage equality; and immigrant and civil rights. Survey responses reflected a strong interest in partnering with other organizations; examples might be working with LearningWorks or Portland Adult Education on refugee issues, Interfaith Power and Light on energy issues and/or working with National Council of Jewish Women on its Darfur project. The survey suggested interest in having speakers about current events at services.
The Committee now is working with Rabbi Saks on plans for a series of speakers and other activities related to immigrant issues in Maine. The series will kick off in the fall with a program about immigrants’ educational needs and how Bet Ha’am members can get involved. We also will hold a book drive to provide books for the free book shelf at Portland Adult Education. Stay tuned for more details.
The Committee also discussed working on marriage equality. The referendum drive to put the issue on the ballot in 2012 will make this issue front and center. We are checking into how the congregation can be most helpful.
A number of other ideas were discussed at recent Committee meetings and ideas will continue to be solicited.
