Call to Action by Chief Rabbis of Israel

Declaration Regarding Chodesh Chesed Vetzedek—The Social Action Month

It has been taught to you O man what is good and what the Lord requires of you, only to do justice and loving kindness and to walk humbly with your G-d (Micah VI:8).

At the foundation of our faith lies the importance of acts of loving kindness. Through its narratives and the laws of the Torah, God calls on us to make our world a holier, more just and caring place.

At Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur we think about our responsibilities to God, and everyone around us including the needy of the world who depend on our support. We promise to do more for them in the coming year. Just a few days later, we celebrate Succot. This festival recalls Biblical times when the Jewish people lived in temporary shelters as they journeyed through the desert. It also reminds us that in our own times there are people across the world in need of food, shelter, warmth and love.

As Succot ends, we enter the month of Cheshvan, the month that has no festivals, a time dedicated to putting into practice our pledges to be better people and to better the lives of those around us.

The Government of Israel, through its Ministry for Israeli Society and the World Jewish Community has invited communities in Israel and across the globe to proclaim this Cheshvan a month of Chesed and Tzedek (loving kindness and social justice). Everywhere, Jewish organisations will be launching Chesed and Social action programmes.

We are delighted to add our voices to this call which echoes the voice of our tradition. We invite our communities to seek ways to help and support those in need wherever they are, so that through our acts of loving kindness, we may indeed "mend the world according to the Kingship of God".

May our efforts bring peace and blessing upon our communities, the whole House of Israel and the whole world.

Rabbi Menachem HaCohen — Chief Rabbi of Romania
Rabbi Warren Goldstein — Chief Rabbi of South Africa
Sir Jonathan Sacks — Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom