Na'aseh – Social Action

Na’aseh, Anshe Emet Synagogue's social action committee, represents our passionate and sustained goal to promote social justice. With a “We will do” attitude, Na’aseh supports those in need by providing basic goods and services, and also seeks to address the root causes of problems through advocacy.  From our enslavement in Egypt some four thousand years ago to the modern immigrant experience, the Jewish social ethic has always been marked by an ongoing commitment to individuals standing at the outer edge of society.  The committee and synagogue community reaches out to Jews and non-Jews alike locally, in Israel, and across the globe.  Among the organizations with which Anshe Emet Synagogue partners are The ARK, The Lakeview Pantry, The Night Ministry, Moat Chitim of Greater Chicago, The Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, Mazon, and American Jewish World Service.

The biblical prophets preached that a Judaism of study and observance is incomplete without a pledge to bettering the condition of those in need. Racism, poverty, hunger, violence and social neglect abound and cry out for a Jewish response. Only when we throw ourselves towards social justice do we fulfill our mandate as Jews. Only when our community rallies to the cry of “We will do” is our Judaism expressed in its full vitality.

All are invited to participate and share in making Anshe Emet a community linked by a passionate commitment to “Na’aseh.”  Action comes only through participation so please join and help strengthen our committee.  For more information or to join the Na’aseh Committee please contact Ashley Kain.  

Reflections on Serving with The Night Ministry

Elena Caminer, age 16, has been serving meals at The Night Ministry's Health Outreach Bus for the past five years with her family and friends from Anshe Emet Synagogue. Click here to read her reflection.  

Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities

JUF UPTOWN CAFÉ

Volunteers should arrive at 5:30 p.m. and are usually done between 7:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The JUF Uptown Café is located at 909 W. Wilson Ave. If you are interested in volunteering at the JUF Uptown Café, please register with Josh Schonfeld.

Upcoming Dates:
Tuesday, May 21
Monday, June 10

Night Ministry

Upcoming Dates:Tuesday, May 21
Tuesday, June 17 (Jews By Choice Hosting)
Tuesday, July 16 (Chesed Hosting)
Tuesday, August 20
Tuesday, September 17
Tuesday, October 15

Adults and children welcome! To volunteer, please contact Janine Landow-Esser

 

Lakeview Pantry

Volunteer anytime, besides Sundays! Adults and children welcome! To volunteer, please contact Marla.

 

Food Not Bombs

Volunteers welcome at their pantry line every Sunday! Adults and children welcome! To volunteer and find out more information, please contact Samantha DeKoven.

 

The ARK: Young Families

Please join us at The ARK's Chicago location on Sunday, May 19 from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. as we assemble and deliver lox boxes for ARK client families.

Designed specifically for families with children in second grade and younger—preschool is great! babies are great, too!—our first event will include story time and an age-appropriate tour of The ARK so that your children will learn the basics of how we help others in our community. The program will conclude with assembly of the lox boxes by 10:30 a.m., after which volunteering families will be given addresses so they can deliver the boxes to client families. Sign up at www.arkchicago.org/loxbox.