From the PJ Library website, Hesed, like many Hebrew words, does not translate precisely into English. The word means more than simply “kindness”. It is often translated as “loving kindness”. Hesed means giving oneself fully with love and compassion. The concept of Hesed appears in the Torah more than 190 times. For this reason, many Jewish thinkers hold the value of loving-kindness as Judaism’s primary ethical virtue. When we extend this virtue beyond our selves, our family and friends, we have the concept of social justice, of helping others through direct service, fund raising and through advocacy.
The Adath Hesed Committee is our Congregation’s social justice committee. We welcome each of you to participate in one or more causes that are meaningful to you. Our focus is on direct service and on advocacy. Let us know what is your social justice interest or passion
The Adath Hesed Committee is our Congregation’s social justice committee. We welcome each of you to participate in one or more causes that are meaningful to you. Our focus is on direct service and on advocacy. Let us know what is your social justice interest or passion
Upcoming Events
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Faith and Advocacy: Harnessing Jewish Voices to End Hunger in Minnesota
Sunday, October 15 at 3:00 PM | Adath Social Hall | RSVP For Free Join us for an engaging conversation with anti-hunger advocates, moderated by MAZON’s President and CEO, Abby J. Leibman. Discover the successes of MAZON's collaborative efforts in Minnesota as a compelling case study in achieving impactful policy change through partnerships with organizations and synagogue congregants. Our expert panel will delve into what is possible when synagogues move beyond direct action and make a long-term commitment to anti-hunger advocacy, offering insights into how this can be replicated in other communities, and an exploration of the relationship between state and federal policies to craft comprehensive solutions to hunger. Register today. |
At a glance...
Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Adath Shabbat Services 9:30 AM
Abby Leibman, MAZON President, CEO to speak at Adath regarding MAZON’s food insecurity advocacy and honoring Rabbi Kravitz’s role and accomplishments with MAZON.
Sunday, October 15, 2023 3:00 PM at Adath
We will celebrate the work of MAZON, hear from President and CEO Abby Leibman, and learn about exciting new initiatives. Register today.
Thursday, November 9, 2023 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Celebrate the opening of the new Rise Early Learning Center and show your support for the program at a social hour at Beth El Synagogue. Register here.
Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Adath Shabbat Services 9:30 AM
Abby Leibman, MAZON President, CEO to speak at Adath regarding MAZON’s food insecurity advocacy and honoring Rabbi Kravitz’s role and accomplishments with MAZON.
Sunday, October 15, 2023 3:00 PM at Adath
We will celebrate the work of MAZON, hear from President and CEO Abby Leibman, and learn about exciting new initiatives. Register today.
Thursday, November 9, 2023 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Celebrate the opening of the new Rise Early Learning Center and show your support for the program at a social hour at Beth El Synagogue. Register here.
Past Events
Adath Congregants met with Minnesota Congress persons asking for support of MAZON’s Farm Bill Priorities. These priorities include protecting and strengthening funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (aka food stamps).
August 14, 2023
Rabbi Kravitz, Ardis Wexler, Steve Krikiva, Larry Parks, other Rabbis, members of Beth El and Bet Shalom social justice committes met with Dean Phillips, MN 3rd at the ICA Food Shelf along with ICA staff and Michelle Ness, PRISM Executive Director to discuss MAZON’s Farm Bill Priorities.
Pictured left to right: Bill Burr, ICA Ops Mgr, Congressman Dean Phillips, Michelle Ness, PRISM Executive Director, Ardis Wexler, Steve Krikiva
Congressman Dean Phillips at ICA to discuss MAZAON’s Farm Bill Priorities along with Rabbi Kravitz and Adath congregants Larry Parks, Ardis Wexler and Steve Krikiva
Article from Rabbi Alexander Davis, Beth El Synagogue
in their August congregational email blast
Yesterday, I participated in a meeting with Congressman Dean Phillips at ICA, a food shelf in Minnetonka, to learn about and discuss issues of food insecurity. The meeting was organized by Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger, together with JFCS, and Prism and included clergy and lay leaders from Adath Jeshurun Beth El, and Bet Shalom. Beth El was represented by social justice committee chair and committee member, Aklilu Dunlap and Cindy Witkin.
One of the points that was emphasized was that people who face food insecurity often have compounding needs. ICA responds by helping address issues of housing insecurity, helps with job searches, provides mental health support, and more.
At the close of the meeting, I shared words which appear in our Yom Kippur haftara and which inspire our annual STEP food drive. The prophet Isaiah calls on us to “satisfy the famished.” For then, “will our light shine in the darkness.”
There is much darkness in our nation as the number of people who are food insecure increases. Indeed, the problem is larger than any one institution or faith-based organization can solve. That is why we turn to government to help address the systemic issue of hunger in America.
Even as we advocate for our government to address the systemic issue of hunger insecurity, we are called upon to do our part. Support our annual Yom Kippur STEP food drive. Together, we can shine a light on this nation.
-Rabbi Alexander Davis
One of the points that was emphasized was that people who face food insecurity often have compounding needs. ICA responds by helping address issues of housing insecurity, helps with job searches, provides mental health support, and more.
At the close of the meeting, I shared words which appear in our Yom Kippur haftara and which inspire our annual STEP food drive. The prophet Isaiah calls on us to “satisfy the famished.” For then, “will our light shine in the darkness.”
There is much darkness in our nation as the number of people who are food insecure increases. Indeed, the problem is larger than any one institution or faith-based organization can solve. That is why we turn to government to help address the systemic issue of hunger in America.
Even as we advocate for our government to address the systemic issue of hunger insecurity, we are called upon to do our part. Support our annual Yom Kippur STEP food drive. Together, we can shine a light on this nation.
-Rabbi Alexander Davis
August 13, 2023
Steve Krikiva, Adath Congregant and a member of MAZON’s national government affairs committee, met with Congresswoman Betty McCollum, MN 4th to discuss MAZON’s Farm Bill –
Steve Krikiva, Adath Congregant and a member of MAZON’s national government affairs committee, met with Congresswoman Betty McCollum, MN 4th to discuss MAZON’s Farm Bill –
A small group through Hesed prepared a lovely meal recently for the residents of Our Saviour's Shelter. Two of our Hesed Heros, Sheryl and Gabriel Cooper went to great lengths to bake three types of luscious desserts for the shelter’s residents! We hope to volunteer more this fall and winter. However, due to the Delta variant, Hesed will be making decisions one day at a time following the guidance from Adath leadership, the CDC and local officials in order to ensure everyone’s safety. We are asking all Hesed volunteers to be completely vaccinated and wear masks in order to prevent spread. It’s a huge Mitzvah to volunteer, but it’s critical we make sure everyone is safe!
L’Shanah Tovah from Hesed! Wishing everyone a healthy, happy and blessed New Year!
Read all About it
Read about the work that Hesed has been able to do in the community, and also hear from members of our Giving Circle on what makes advocacy, volunteering, and donating such an important part of their Adath life in the Blog.
Thank you to our Hesed Heroes
Organizations we work with
MAZON is asking congregations encourage congregants to contact their Congress members requesting support of MAZON’s Farm Bill Priorities. These priorities include protecting and strengthening funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (aka food stamps)
MAZON’s Farm Bill Priorities:
MAZON’s Farm Bill Priorities:
Please write or email your Senators and Congress persons asking them to support MAZON’s Farm Bill priorities:
Senator Amy Klobuchar: https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact
Senator Tina Smith: https://www.smith.senate.gov/share-your-opinion/
Minnesota Congress Persons: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
“Each year on Purim we recount our ancestors’ efforts to protect us from unfathomable evil. In their spirit, this year we must continue to advocate for the most vulnerable among us. At a time when millions of Americans are struggling to put food on the table and the COVID-19 pandemic continues to exacerbate food insecurity, I hope you will join in standing up against the injustice of hunger, and support MAZON. With your support, we can secure a world in which people of all faiths and backgrounds can feed themselves and their families with dignity.”
Donate to Mazon
MAZON 2022 Insider Briefing Series-- See Rabbi Kravitz's Opening Remarks!
As part of the MAZON 2022 Insider Series, Rabbi Kravitz participated in a discussion with Lt Gov Peggy Flanagan and Abby Leibman, MAZON CEO and President, titled “Single Moms in the Perfect Storm: The Feminization of Poverty and Hunger”.
Senator Amy Klobuchar: https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact
Senator Tina Smith: https://www.smith.senate.gov/share-your-opinion/
Minnesota Congress Persons: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
“Each year on Purim we recount our ancestors’ efforts to protect us from unfathomable evil. In their spirit, this year we must continue to advocate for the most vulnerable among us. At a time when millions of Americans are struggling to put food on the table and the COVID-19 pandemic continues to exacerbate food insecurity, I hope you will join in standing up against the injustice of hunger, and support MAZON. With your support, we can secure a world in which people of all faiths and backgrounds can feed themselves and their families with dignity.”
Donate to Mazon
MAZON 2022 Insider Briefing Series-- See Rabbi Kravitz's Opening Remarks!
As part of the MAZON 2022 Insider Series, Rabbi Kravitz participated in a discussion with Lt Gov Peggy Flanagan and Abby Leibman, MAZON CEO and President, titled “Single Moms in the Perfect Storm: The Feminization of Poverty and Hunger”.
Our mission is "to offer hope as we provide assistance to our neighbors in need". Our vision is "to uphold the dignity of our neighbors in need as they strive for self-sufficiency, and share the ongoing work of assisting our neighbors in partnership with the congregations, organizations, businesses, and individuals in our communities".
Click here to donate now
Click here to donate now
"PRISM is committed to responding to the needs of our community during these challenging times - Donations are down, visits to the food shelf are expected to rise. What we need most is cash and food. Please consider making a donation to PRISM to ensure we have the necessary food to give to our most vulnerable neighbors."
Click here to donate online
Click here to donate online
"The St. Louis Park Emergency Program’s mission is to identify, address and respond to the critical and emergency needs of residents in St. Louis Park. We are the St. Louis Park community food shelf and social service agency. We directly provide food and clothing to residents in need, as well as advocacy, referrals, and build a collaborative relationship. Since 1975, STEP volunteers and professional staff have been empowering lives and restoring hope. Our vision is to be the trusted resource for connecting community members with resources to fulfill their basic needs."
Click here to find ways to donate
Click here to find ways to donate
Other Organizations/causes we support and are active with
Affordable Housing
Edina Neighbors for Affordable Housing
Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing (MICAH)
Gun Violence Prevention
Moms Demand Action
Protect Minnesota
Jewish Community Action – Minnesota’s Jewish Voice for racial and economic justice for all
RISE Early Learning Center, St Louis Park. founded by Westwood Lutheran Church, developed in partnership with CommonBond Communities. Adath is one of 11 sponsoring congregations.
Our Saviour’s Community Services – Serving meals at their shelter
Loaves and Fishes – Serving meals at their shelter
Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC) – advocacy on social justice issues at the State of Minnesota legislature
Support for Ethiopian Jews
Jewish Agency - main role is Aliyah and absorption
North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry NACOEJ www.nacoej.org/
The Jewish Federations of North America JFNA https://www.jewishfederations.org/
Represents 146 independent Federations and a network of 300 smaller communities across the continent. Their mission is to protect and enhance the well-being of Jews worldwide through meaningful contributions to community, Israel and civil society.
Struggle to Save Ethiopian Jewry (SSEJ) - donations go straight to ground zero of humanitarian aid for those still in Ethiopia; food, medical care, education and security
Joint Distribution Committee JDC https://www.jdc.org/
Global Jewish humanitarian organization
Edina Neighbors for Affordable Housing
Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing (MICAH)
Gun Violence Prevention
Moms Demand Action
Protect Minnesota
Jewish Community Action – Minnesota’s Jewish Voice for racial and economic justice for all
RISE Early Learning Center, St Louis Park. founded by Westwood Lutheran Church, developed in partnership with CommonBond Communities. Adath is one of 11 sponsoring congregations.
Our Saviour’s Community Services – Serving meals at their shelter
Loaves and Fishes – Serving meals at their shelter
Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC) – advocacy on social justice issues at the State of Minnesota legislature
Support for Ethiopian Jews
Jewish Agency - main role is Aliyah and absorption
North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry NACOEJ www.nacoej.org/
The Jewish Federations of North America JFNA https://www.jewishfederations.org/
Represents 146 independent Federations and a network of 300 smaller communities across the continent. Their mission is to protect and enhance the well-being of Jews worldwide through meaningful contributions to community, Israel and civil society.
Struggle to Save Ethiopian Jewry (SSEJ) - donations go straight to ground zero of humanitarian aid for those still in Ethiopia; food, medical care, education and security
Joint Distribution Committee JDC https://www.jdc.org/
Global Jewish humanitarian organization
Support for Turkish earthquake relief through Hebrew Immigration Aid Society (HIAS)
Other hesed content
Hesed Committee Meeting Minutes Coming Soon.
