About our Social Action Program

Tikkun Olam, or Repairing a Broken World, is our Jewish mandate to do what we can to make the world a better place. Tzedakah, we think of as charity, but actually it comes from the Hebrew word tzedek, meaning justice. Thus, giving Tzedakah is simply doing what is right and just. G’milut Hasadim are deeds of loving-kindness - giving of our time, our energy, ourselves, to help others - cooking for the homeless, visiting the sick or the elderly, paying a condolence call. And Social Action focuses on community work and action, advocating to effect change in the laws of our country, protesting when wrongs are perceived, trying to make justice a reality for all.

At Scarsdale Synagogue, we strive to give Tikkun Olam its proper place in our community: Everywhere. We strive to incorporate Tikkun Olam within our educational programs and within our worship cycle. From our pre-schoolers in Mazel Tots and our religious school and teen programs, our children learn about their responsibility to help Repair the World throughout their years here by doing Tikkun Olam, Together. And, of course, Tikkun Olam, Together, continues among our adult Congregants. There are Tikkun Olam activities available when Congregants come through our doors to observe important dates in the annual Jewish cycle, like our Yom Kippur Bone Marrow Registry Drive and the Food Sort and Repack for the United Interfaith Food Bank on Sukkot. And there are special social action events - like Mitzvah Weekend.

We are inspired by all that our members do here and all that they do outside of the Synagogue. Everyone is welcome to join the programs taking place here at Scarsdale Synagogue and we encourage members to share with us other meaningful issues, causes and concerns about which they feel passionate. We are a Chavurah of people doing Tikkun Olam, Together.