ADVOCACY

Advocacy

Action and advocacy go hand-in-hand. It is not enough to work to feed the hungry, for example: We must also work to end the causes of hunger. Advocacy is central to Reform Judaism and to Temple Emanu-El. Temple Emanu-El will foster advocacy among all its social justice committees and projects, not only the Just Congregations effort, which includes specific advocacy goals in its charge, but also advocacy should be included in all service projects. The Social Justice Council seeks approval of new advocacy positions and efforts from Temple’s Board of Trustees. Our advocacy is issue-oriented; not partisan, but often political.

We have worked to support funding for a new public hospital in Dallas, for example, and opposed cuts in the Texas children’s health insurance. We will regularly and tirelessly work to encourage government and elected leaders to respond to the needs of our community.

As a congregation we:
1) Speak out powerfully on contemporary moral imperatives that are identified through the Just Congregations listening process and approved by the Board. Advocacy issues are brought to the Board by the Social Justice Council for congregational approval.
2) Avoid channeling the congregation into one partisan point of view.
3) Assess specific legislative issues, educate the congregation with solid information on all sides of the issue enabling congregants to make individual decisions on their stance, and promote any appropriate “call to action.”
4) Commit sufficient staff resources to make public affairs and advocacy work effectively.
5) Empower our leadership to decide upon a course of quick action when an issue is urgent enough that it demands an immediate response based on our moral imperatives to speak out as a congregation.

For more information please contact Scott McCartney, Social Justice Council Vice President, scott.mccartney@wsj.com.