Tikkun Olam at CRC

Throughout our history, CRC has indeed been a shelter of peace where everyone is warmly welcomed. But we have also been a bridge to the larger community. We understand and accept our responsibility to be a part of the solution in our neighborhoods, our city and our world.

2007 Habitat for Humanity build with Jewish Social Action Network (JSAN)

Our commitment to the community started with small steps and good intentions-a winterization program for the poor and elderly, a canned food drive for the Jewish Food Pantry and weekly contributions from the children in our religious school to charitable causes of their choosing.

Since then, our efforts have branched in several directions at once. The story of these efforts is worth retelling because other churches and synagogues around the community have recognized it as a model. We are gratified to see our efforts replicated in one congregation, one neighborhood, one school after another.

Our efforts began with the forming of a Social Responsibility Circle, a group of congregant-volunteers who got together to talk about ways to make CRC a constructive force in the community. Recognizing that our congregation was largely white, middle class and in some ways removed from the concerns of city residents, the circle began to think about a partnership with others who could guide and help us.

Several years ago, we held a joint Martin Luther King memorial service with Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church, an African-American church in the city. The memory of Dr. King and his admonition to dare to dream inspired us to do more than simply worship together. The service gave birth to the Joint Venture an ongoing relationship with Cote Brilliante Presbyterian Church.

In 2007, CRC expanded its Tikkun Olam efforts by creating a staff position dedicated to supporting those efforts.

Today, CRC is continuing to engage in Tikkun Olam efforts, guided by the Social Responsibility Circle and by three Tikkun Olam Teams, which are charged with coordinating congregation-wide efforts around three important topics: Education, Healthcare, and the Environment.  The Social Responsibility Circle is continuing to work on a variety of important topics, including Reproductive Rights, LGBT Rights, Separation of Church and State, Combating Poverty, working for Racial Justice, and working to end the genocide in Darfur.

Here is a brief review of some of our community focused activities:

Joint Venture - The Joint Venture provides focus to our relationship with a church in the African-American community. Together we identify needs and opportunities for sharing. Our relationship with Cote Brilliante School is a product of this shared vision

Social Responsibility Circle - The members of this circle continue to find ways for the congregation to reach into the greater community to build relationships and bring tikkun-repair. The Social Responsibility Circle has connected congregant-volunteers with many opportunities to make a difference.

Mentoring - The program has touched many children, letting them know that their success in school is valued. In addition a highly successful mentoring program we supply coat closets in two elementary schools with shoes, coats, hats and gloves.

Winterization - Members devote two fall weekends each year to installing window coverings and tightening door seals in the homes of low income and elderly city residents.

Jewish Food Pantry and Clothing Closet - On a year-round, on-going basis members collect canned goods and contribute it to the Jewish Food Pantry.

Tzedakah -The children in our religious school donate money weekly to give to charitable causes chosen by each class.

Advocacy - CRC members engage in advocacy efforts that address the root causes of the challenges facing our community.