Jewish Funds for Justice published a new guide to introduce synagogues to social justice work.
“K’hilot K’doshot: Holy Congregations, Just Communities,” a 24-page guide, is intended as an introduction to congregation-based community organizing, or CBCO. “Congregation-based community organizing is a model of engaging in social change work where synagogues get involved in local interfaith coalitions that take action on policy issues affecting their local community,” said Shuli Passow, Jewish Funds for Justice’s associate director of organizing. “At the heart of it is an emphasis on building relationships among synagogue congregations and between congregations.” The idea of synagogues rebranding themselves as centers of social justice work has been on the rise in recent years, with several hiring rabbis or professionals to focus specifically on community organizing.
The first national synagogue gathering on the topic was held two years ago with 130 participants. The latest one, held in February, included 300 participants from 63 congregations, according to Passow.
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