Tikkun Olam - healing and repairing the world - is a social expression of our spiritual values. It is a cornerstone of Jewish Renewal, and is central to Kehilla's mission and values. Like our spirituality, Tikkun Olam can take many forms, and there are many paths.

We are a progressive community that has taken political and social action on poverty, racism, and the quest for non-violent solutions to international and domestic conflicts. We support peace in the Middle East that is based on a secure homeland for both Palestinians and Jews. Our members do not agree on all issues, but we all support the commitment to act in the world to secure peace and justice for all people on a healthy planet.

Below are our current Tikkun Olam committees and activities. For information about how to contact any of the committee chairs, or how to become involved in a committee or an activity, please email Sasha@KehillaSynagogue.org.

Anti-Death Penalty Action Group

This Group doesn’t hold meetings, but you can get on their email list to be informed about upcoming events, vigils, and news. Activities have included education through classes and services; representation at conferences, vigils and rallies; moratorium petition-gathering and lobbying. The Kehilla Resolution Against the Death Penalty was adopted in 2000.

Committee Against Abuse

The Committee Against Abuse developed protocols to guide Kehilla in responding to domestic abuse within our community, Policy Guidelines on the Prevention of and Response to Abuse in Kehilla Community Synagogue and, working with Shalom Bayit, conducts healing services and regular trainings for the Kehilla staff.

Chesed (Loving Kindness) Committee (formerly Bikkur Cholim Committee)

Our Chesed volunteers donate their time to provide help to Kehilla members who are ill, recovering from surgery or otherwise are in need of temporary assistance in their homes.  Learn more about Chesed in our community...

Chevra Kadisha (Holy Society)

The Chevra Kadisha (Holy Society) serves to prepare the bodies of the dead for burial following ancient Jewish ritual and Jewish renewal innovation. Chevra Kadisha has written a booklet, "End of Life Passages," has given workshops on death and dying, and worked on prayer service for Tahara. The committee meets at least four times per year and conducts periodic trainings.

Economic Justice / Oakland Community Organizations (OCO)

The Kehilla Economic Justice Committee is focused on building Kehilla’s participation in Oakland Community Organizations (OCO), a faith-based, social justice community organizing effort. Current issues include green jobs creation, violence prevention and intervention, affordable housing, health care, and education. Learn more about OCO...

The Faith Trio Committee

This small committee represents Kehilla in its participation in our alliance with the Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California and the Montclair Presbyterian Church. The Faith Trio puts on an annual gathering of the three congregations and coordinates other cultural and educational gatherings of the three. Read article... 

Food Drive

Kehilla conducts a food drive during High Holydays. Donated food goes to the Alameda County Food Bank to serve people in need.

Green Menorah Covenant Committee

The task of the Green Menorah Covenant Committee is to encourage our congregants to implement the provisions of the Green Menorah Covenant in their homes and places of work. The covenant, which was formulated by Rabbi Arthur Waskow of the Shalom Center, calls on congregants to light the Planetary Menorah by reducing our use of oil and reducing CO2 emissions. Kehilla is the first congregation to consider adoption of the covenant. 

Greening Committee

Plans how Kehilla can move ahead with specific ideas on addressing environmental issues within our congregation, our families, and the wider political arena.

Human Rights Committee

The  Human Rights Committee has been active in the Pelican Bay prisoner hunger strike and we are working with the Bay Area Religious Campaign Against Torture (BARCAT).

Jewish Youth For Community Action (JYCA)

A Jewish leadership training program for young people who want to work for social change. Participants develop leadership skills, explore contemporary social issues and perform community organizing and service. The three main program components are Leadership Training, Weekend Retreats and Community Action. Learn more about JYCA...

Middle East Peace Committee

Our mission is to provide the Kehilla community with opportunities to increase their understanding of the Israel-Palestine situation. Our mandate is to do this always under the umbrella of deep listening, with respect and honor for both the Israeli and Palestinian peoples, and within the framework of a two-state solution. We have created a Brit Shalom (Covenant of Peace).

Rebuilding Together

Formerly known as Sukkot in April, Rebuilding Together is a project during which volunteers assist with home repairs and improvements for low-income households.  It will be held this year on Sunday, April 18 & 25, 2010. In addition, donations are needed to reach our goal of $1,000.  Learn more about how you can participate in and donate to this year's project. 

Holiday Dinner Drive (formerly known as Thanksiving Turkey Drive)

Benefits the Alameda County Community Food Bank that distributes turkeys during the holiday season to soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters throughout our community.

Tzedakah

Tzedakah, or donations, are collected at High Holydays and are contributed to an organization identified each year by Kehilla's spiritual committee (20%), to the Kehilla School and Bar/Bat Mitzvah Scholarship Funds (60%), and to the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund (20%).