What does it mean to engage in social justice, within a Jewish context?

We at Jewish Community Action think that it means addressing the root causes of economic and racial injustice, seeking long-term solutions to local problems, supporting the leadership of those most directly affected by the issues, and developing strong alliances across the lines of religion, color, ethnicity, and country of origin.

We help build neighborhood and community stability by preventing foreclosures, one door knock at a time, and we build powerful volunteer-led teams to call for change in mortgage lending practices. As Jews, we remember our ancient wanderings, and so we remind ourselves of the importance of stable homes.

We support the rights of immigrants and refugees, who, like our Jewish grandparents, made perilous journeys to this country for work, for an education, for religious freedom. For better lives. Jewish Community Action puts into action the words of the Torah: "When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not wrong him. The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as one of your citizens; you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt."

We stand for worker justice: In Postville, Iowa, where we have offered direct support to employees of the nation's largest kosher meatpacking plant, in the wake of workplace injustice and a calamitous immigration raid. And in Minneapolis and St. Paul, where we supported passage of living wage ordinances and stood as allies with local janitors seeking fair contracts with their employers.

We build leadership for social justice--in synagogues, where social justice teams are now committed to addressing long-term change, in areas such as healthcare coverage for all children. Among high school students, who are participating in JCA's new Seeds of Justice Youth Fellowship, an immersion in Judaism, social change, and community organizing. Among unaffiliated adults, through Indie Jews, JCA's social justice havurah. And among Russian-speaking, Jewish seniors, who are challenging barriers through VOICE Community Building Initiative.

When you give to Jewish Community Action, you become a member of a unique organization, one that is leading Jewish involvement locally in some of the most pressing concerns facing our nation: foreclosure and homelessness, immigration, and healthcare.