Jewish Social Action Month

November 3 – December 1, 2005 (Heshvan 5766)

Jewish Social Action Month aims to promote Jewish unity and social justice programs in Jewish communities throughout the world.

Sen. Lieberman, Rep. Israel Launches First Annual Global Jewish Social Action Month

The United States Congress and the Israeli Knesset announced the historic launching of the first global Jewish Social Action Month (JSAM) which began on November 3, coinciding with the Jewish month of Heshvan. An outpouring of declarations of support and activities promoting social justice from all parts of the world, ranging from prominent organizations to community havurot has marked the initiative as a unifying step for the Jewish people.

Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), who, along with Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY) announced the launch of JSAM at a press conference on Capitol Hill on November 3.

• Congressional Record (Senate): from Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-CT)
• Congressional Record (House of Representatives): from Rep. Steve Israel (D-NY)
• Greetings from the White House: George W. Bush

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

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 Moshe 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 3 to December 1, 2005.

How does my organization participate?

Send a short description of what you are doing and we will include it on the JSAM section of SocialAction.com and, when it is live, the JSAM website. We will then send you two versions of the international logo for JSAM for your website, emails and publications. The first one has the Seal of the State of Israel along with the JSAM Action Globe; the second adds a blank spot for you to add your organization's logo. Also, by signing up for SocialAction.com eletter, you will receive JSAM updates. Just complete the form on the left side of this page.

Activities & Partnerships

Read about over five dozen endorsements and activities in support of JSAM, from Chief Rabbis to the World Union of Progressive Judaism.

An Exhibition of works of Art & Creative Writing by Jewish people who have a mental illness.

Wings of Care (Kanfei Chesed) Inc., a Jewish Mental Health not for profit organisation, invites submissions of creative work, possibly with a Jewish theme, for publication on their consumer website to coincide with Jewish Social Action month. Wings of Care (Kanfei Chesed) Inc. supports people in their creativity to increase their sense of well being. Please send submissions to MSupport@swiftdsl.com.au.

Related articles:

• Read testimony by Yosef I. Abramowitz, CEO of Jewish Family & Life, and a driving force behind the initiative
• Knesset calls for social justice
• KolDor conference calls for initiative, as well as global Internet radio station for Jewish communities and 'reverse' Birthright program to send young Israelis to the Diaspora
• Call to Action by Chief Rabbis of Israel
• Prayer for Jewish Social Action Month
• Op-Ed, Rabbi Melchior's comments after Katrina show the need to repair the world
• Mes de Acción SocialJudía—Social Action Month in Mexico ( in Spanish)
• Thinking Global, by Rabbi Dov Greenberg
• Rolling Up Their Jewish Sleeves, by Gary Rosenblatt
• A Time To Act, The Jewish Week editorial
• Houses of Parliament
  An Open Invitation to Worldwide KolDor Members
  JSAM Launches at the House of Commons
• UJC Endorses Cheshvan as global Jewish Social Action Month
• Social action: a year-round endeavor, Jewish News Weekly of Northern California editorial