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 ourselves, 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, advocacy and support in the areas of Affordable Housing, Food Insecurity, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Gun Safety, Support for Ethiopian Jews, the Minnesota Joint Religious Legislative Coalition and most recently Refugee Resettlement. In addition, we work closely and support other Adath Committees including Antiracism, Inclusion, Keruv, HaLev and Atid.
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, advocacy and support in the areas of Affordable Housing, Food Insecurity, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, Gun Safety, Support for Ethiopian Jews, the Minnesota Joint Religious Legislative Coalition and most recently Refugee Resettlement. In addition, we work closely and support other Adath Committees including Antiracism, Inclusion, Keruv, HaLev and Atid.
Upcoming Events
Saturday, August 31, 2024 at Adath Shabbat Services 9:30 AM
Bob Aronson, Welcome Circle Co-Chair (read more below) and HIAS National Past President and Steven Foldes, Welcome Circle Co-Chair will present a d’var Torah introducing the Congregation to our initiative to resettle and support a refugee family to the Minneapolis area. The Welcome Circle project is part of a US State Department program conducted with technical support from HIAS.
High Holiday Food Drive to benefit the STEP Food Pantry in St. Louis Park.
On Rosh Hashanah, grocery bags will be handed out. Please fill the bags and bring non-perishable foods, bathroom, kitchen and grooming supplies such as toilet paper, toothpaste, diapers, paper towels and return the bags on Kol Nidre evening.
STEP also gratefully accepts monetary donations. Please contact Joy Sandler at [email protected], to help prepare, hand out or collect the Food Drive grocery bags.
Dates TBD - Help serve a meal at a neighborhood shelter.
Gather your friends, family, chavura, etc., and contact Joy Sandler at [email protected] to help make arrangements. The shelter requires volunteers to be 14+ years of age with adult supervision.
Hesed Committee Creates a "Welcome Circle" to Resettle a Refuge Family
With the support of our Senior Rabbi and Craig Spencer, Adath Board President, the Adath HESED (Social Justice) Committee established a project to sponsor a refugee family in the Minneapolis area. Welcome Circles allow volunteers to work with the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society (HIAS) under an initiative of the U.S. Department of State to create meaningful and dignified resettlement programs for refugees.
Refugees are defined as individuals having a well-founded fear of persecution in their home countries who seek the protection of the international community to provide them with safety and security. In many instances, refugees have been living a hand-to-mouth existence abroad under the protection of the UN High Commissioner of Refugees, who works in partnership with HIAS and other international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Each year, the United States admits a defined number of particularly meritorious refugees who are carefully vetted. Refugees come to the United States with full immigrant legal status, are granted work permits and social security cards, and are on the road ultimately to USA citizenship.
Welcoming the stranger is fundamental to Jewish ethics and theological teachings, and immigration to America is a shared history of many Adath congregants. Statistically, refugees demonstrate a high measure of success in achieving financial independence within six months of arrival and the children of refugees substantially outperform their U.S. counterparts based on multiple metrics.
In short, refugee resettlement and protection are a laudable national and Judaic commitment. We are proud of Adath’s intention to join a network of synagogues and Jewish communal groups in forming Welcome Circles.
Our Adath HESED Welcome Circle process follows the HIAS structured process to help a refugee family become established in the community within their first six months in the U.S. with:
- Stable, safe housing, along with home furnishings
- Food security
- English language training
- Education
- Suitable job training to help the family become financially independent
- Clothing
- Local transportation
- Health care and social services
How you can help - Volunteer, Donate
Volunteers are at the core of welcoming a refuge family and helping them feel at home in Minneapolis. Consider mentoring the newly arrived family, helping them run errands, navigate public transportation or provide transportation to appointments. Volunteers make a life-changing impact. Join us to welcome refugees to Minneapolis.
If you would like to help with the Adath HESED Welcome Circle, please reach out to the following Adath volunteers:
Co Chairs – Steven Foldes, Bob Aronson, Larry Parks
Housing Lead – Steve Lear
Furnishings and Apartment Setup Co Leads – Sharon Garber, Bonnie Berezovsky, Cindy Dubansky
Healthcare Lead – Mitch Bender
Employment Lead – Lisa Bromer
Education and Language Lead – Debra Krawetz
Benefits Lead – Joel Mintzer
Welcoming and Local Orientation Co Leads – Janice Schachtman and Riv-Ellen Prell
TBD – Andrea Potashnick
Legal Lead – Bob Aronson
Finance and Budget Lead – Larry Parks
The Refugee Resettlement program requires us to raise almost $2,500 for each family member we bring to the Minneapolis area, so that we can support them for approximately six months as they become self sufficient. The Shapiro Foundation has generously committed to provide a grant to cover some of the expenses and there are Minnesota State and Hennepin County refugee benefits that will also help.
Please consider making a monetary donation to the Adath HESED Welcome Circle Fund to support the refugee family resettlement. However, please consider this donation as additional to your other Adath Jeshurun donations such as Membership Dues, L'Chaim Campaign and the Adath Annual Benefit.
How you can help - In Kind Donations
We expect the refugee family will arrive with no tangible possessions after possibly years of homelessness and persecution. The refugee family will need furniture, clothing for each season, kitchen and household items, cell phones, computers, tablets, printer, TVs, newer car seat and school supplies.
As of August, 2024, we have do not have information on the family makeup, ages or arrival date and currently, we have limited space to store in kind donations.
If you have something you think the family can use, please complete the “In Kind Donation Form” below. Once we have more information, we will update our request for In Kind Donations.
Apartment – We expect the refugee family will require a safe, clean 2 or 3 bedroom apartment. Our preference is for the apartment to be located in Minneapolis or in the western or southern suburbs, close to public transportation and grocery and other shopping.
If you are an apartment owner with a suitable unit coming available in September or October, please reach out to Steve Lear at [email protected] or Larry Parks at [email protected].
If you or your family are selling a suitable condo unit, please consider donating the unit to Adath to rent to the refugee family. You will possibly receive a sizable tax deduction and fulfill the mitzvah of welcoming the stranger.
Why Rent to Refugees
The Adath HESED Welcome Circle is here to support your refugee tenant. Unlike many renters looking for affordable units, refugees come with a support system already in place. The Welcome Circle makes sure they are financially able to pay rent for up to a six month period of time as they move forward with their new lives in this country to achieve financial independence.
Refugees are safe. They are the most vetted immigrant group to enter the US – they have passed background checks from the FBI, the CIA and the Department of Homeland Security. You can be sure that refugees are fleeing insecurity and seeking a safe place to live with their families.
If you have multiple properties and are a good landlord, refugees are likely to refer friends to rent your other units. This will bring other stable renters and help develop a good rapport that will make life easier as a landlord.
Refugees are hard-working, they want to make a living, they want to pay rent and be financially responsible. Refugees have spent years, decades, or generations fleeing persecution and violence, often surviving on the generosity of UN agencies. They are ready to take responsibility, find stability, and contribute to their new community – including paying rent!
How you can help – Volunteer
We have a strong, core team and we are looking for additional volunteers to help with hands on planning, coordination, direct and indirect interactions with the Family and our Welcome Circle activities.
Please reach out to any of the Core Team to volunteer
We expect the refugee family will arrive with no tangible possessions after possibly years of homelessness and persecution. The refugee family will need furniture, clothing for each season, kitchen and household items, cell phones, computers, tablets, printer, TVs, newer car seat and school supplies.
As of August, 2024, we have do not have information on the family makeup, ages or arrival date and currently, we have limited space to store in kind donations.
If you have something you think the family can use, please complete the “In Kind Donation Form” below. Once we have more information, we will update our request for In Kind Donations.
Apartment – We expect the refugee family will require a safe, clean 2 or 3 bedroom apartment. Our preference is for the apartment to be located in Minneapolis or in the western or southern suburbs, close to public transportation and grocery and other shopping.
If you are an apartment owner with a suitable unit coming available in September or October, please reach out to Steve Lear at [email protected] or Larry Parks at [email protected].
If you or your family are selling a suitable condo unit, please consider donating the unit to Adath to rent to the refugee family. You will possibly receive a sizable tax deduction and fulfill the mitzvah of welcoming the stranger.
Why Rent to Refugees
The Adath HESED Welcome Circle is here to support your refugee tenant. Unlike many renters looking for affordable units, refugees come with a support system already in place. The Welcome Circle makes sure they are financially able to pay rent for up to a six month period of time as they move forward with their new lives in this country to achieve financial independence.
Refugees are safe. They are the most vetted immigrant group to enter the US – they have passed background checks from the FBI, the CIA and the Department of Homeland Security. You can be sure that refugees are fleeing insecurity and seeking a safe place to live with their families.
If you have multiple properties and are a good landlord, refugees are likely to refer friends to rent your other units. This will bring other stable renters and help develop a good rapport that will make life easier as a landlord.
Refugees are hard-working, they want to make a living, they want to pay rent and be financially responsible. Refugees have spent years, decades, or generations fleeing persecution and violence, often surviving on the generosity of UN agencies. They are ready to take responsibility, find stability, and contribute to their new community – including paying rent!
How you can help – Volunteer
We have a strong, core team and we are looking for additional volunteers to help with hands on planning, coordination, direct and indirect interactions with the Family and our Welcome Circle activities.
Please reach out to any of the Core Team to volunteer
You can help us with healing the world. Contact Larry Parks, Adath HESED Chair, 612.810.0548, [email protected] for more information
(Adapted from Congregation B’nai Emunah’s (Tulsa, OK) Refugee Resettlement Program)
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.
