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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. The Kehilla Board of Trustees endorsed an ad entitled The Peace Process Must Survive!, which appeared in the Jewish bulletin on January 10, 1997.

     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.

Committee Against Abuse
     The Committee Against Abuse developed protocols to guide Kehilla in responding to domestic abuse within our community (to read the policy guidelines, click here), and, working with Shalom Bayit, conducts healing services and regular trainings for the Kehilla staff. 

 
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.

 
Bikkor Cholim (Caring Committee)
     Our Bikkor Cholim 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.

 
Chevra Kadisha
     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 OCO, a faith-based, social justice  community organizing effort.  Current issues include affordable housing, health care, and education.  Learn more about OCO...

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

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.  

 
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...

 
Interfaith Spiritual Peacebuilding Group
     A coalition comprising Kehilla and several Christian and Muslim congregations in the East Bay, organized after 9/11.  The group's mission is to share and better understand the various paths of Abraham-based traditions in order to foster and deepen peace and friendship between peoples in our communities.  Read article...

 
Middle East Peace Committee
     The current work of the committee is devoted to Compassionate Listening and building a coalition around our Covenant of Peace (Brit Shalom) document. 

 
Rebuilding Together
     Formerly known as Sukkot in April, Rebuilding Together is a one-day event held the last Sunday in April, at which volunteers assist with home repairs and improvements for low-income households.   See our group  photo!

 
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.

 
Tikkun Olam Day (Mitzvah Day)
     This event gives Kehilla families with young children opportunities to do Tikkun Olam service together. Activities include shoreline clean up, feeding the hungry, working in community gardens, and more.  Some projects that began as one day events have turned into ongoing commitments for some families.  While this day is aimed at school families, the activities are open to the entire Kehilla 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 (60%), and to the Rabbi's Discretionary Fund (20%).