Lieberman, Israel to Launch First Annual Global Jewish Social Action Month

Members Announce Official Worldwide Kickoff Event in Capitol on November 3rd; Urge Colleagues to Sign Historic Declaration

Washington DC- U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) and Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY 02) joined forces today to announce the historic launching of the first annual global Jewish Social Action Month (JSAM) on Thursday, November 3rd in the Capitol. The initiative aims to promote Jewish unity, peoplehood and social justice programs in Jewish communities throughout the world. Lieberman and Israel are also spearheading efforts to have their colleagues support an historic declaration in the Congress.

"I am extremely proud to partner with Senator Lieberman in launching the first annual Jewish Social Action Month here in Washington and throughout the world," Israel said. "What better way to begin our Jewish New Year and the promise it can hold by launching into a month-long serious commitment to social action? I urge all my colleagues to join with us in supporting this historic effort."

 “An on-going commitment to social action is a positive mitzvah (good obligation) of Jewish peoplehood and will help define the Jewish community of the future, especially for the next generation,” say event co-chairs Yosef I. Abramowitz and Rebecca Lieberman. “Jewish Social Action Month is a new global asset and organizing framework for the Jewish people. Launching JSAM in the Capitol of the United States, celebrating it in twenty countries and concluding it in Jerusalem with President Moshe Katzav, demonstrates the unity of Jewish values to promote social justice worldwide.”

Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY 02)

An event is being done in Israel’s Knesset to mirror DC’s global kickoff. The closing ceremony will be held on November 30th at the Beit HaNasi, the home of Israeli President Katzav and will be chaired by Israeli Deputy Minister Michael Melchior. JSAM celebrates the commitment to repair the world and will be held each year on Heshvan, the second month in the Hebrew calendar, which coincides with November 3rd-December 1st, 2005.

This period has been selected since it follows the holiest days in the Jewish year of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, the days in which Jews look inward and cleanse themselves of all misdeeds. JSAM is an outgrowth of Kol Dor, an organization dedicated to bringing together a new, younger generation of Jewish leadership. The idea was proposed in the spring at a Kol Dor retreat in Israel's Negev Desert — by Jewish Family & Life CEO Yossi Abramowitz and Aryeh Green, adviser to former Israeli Cabinet member Natan Sharansky — as a way to increase awareness of the Jewish concept of tikkun olam, or healing the world. The Knesset, Jewish organizations, and a wide range of religious and political leaders throughout the world have since adopted the concept. Over 50,000 Jewish children in over 1,000 schools in 46 states will be celebrating Jewish Social Action Month through the BabagaNewz, JVibe, Sh’ma and other programs.

 

Additional information is available at:

www.SocialAction.com

www.Cheshvan.org

and the website of the Prime Minister of the State of Israel—www.pmo.gov.il—will also be carrying updates of activities from Israel and around the world.