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

Upcoming Events

March 29th 6:30pm-8:45pm Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC) Day on the Hill Prep and Issue Briefing. Contact Larry Parks
 
March 30th 9am – 2pm Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC) Day on the Hill at MN State Capitol-Meet w legislators regarding 2023 JRLC priorities which include reducing homelessness.
Register here. Contact Larry Parks for more information.

Past Events

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!
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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: a Jewish response to hunger

“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”.

ICA: YOUR LOCAL FOOD SHELF

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

PRISM

"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

STEP: ST. LOUIS PARK EMERGENCY PROGRAM

"​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

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
 
American Conference on Ethiopian Jews (NACOJE)  
 
Support for Turkish earthquake relief through Hebrew Immigration Aid Society (HIAS

Other hesed content

Hesed Committee Meeting Minutes Coming Soon.

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Want to learn more? Contact Larry Parks, Hesed point of contact, at laparks@gmail.com

Donate to Support Hesed