Oraynu Cares - Our Commitment to Social Justice and Tzedakah

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=90 BGCOLOR="#006699" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="02c285a1erlcgo.png"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFCC66" FACE="Arial" ><B>ORAYNU CONGREGATION for Humanistic Judaism</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ORAYNU CONGREGATION for Humanistic Judai"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>Oraynu's Commitment to Social Justice  </B> l  <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Philosophy"><U>Philosophy</U></A></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=17.5% BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000" background="02ad4fe0dkelyh.png"> <div> Back to </div> <div> <A HREF="id18_n_commitment_to_social_justice.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Philosophy"><U><B>PHILOSOPHY</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ORAYNU CONGREGATION for Humanistic Judai"><U><B>HOME</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=390 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>Oraynu Cares - Our Commitment to Social Justice and Tzedakah</I></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Verdana" ><B><IMG SRC="0ab2c320.gif" border=0 width="44" height="50" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></FONT><B>Sometimes the heaviest burden is having no one to carry </B><B>…</B></div> <bR> <div> Oraynu Congregation is a group of people who believe that Judaism is more than Jewish holiday celebrations, education and culture.  One of the main purposes of Judaism is to bring aid and comfort to those less fortunate than oneself.</div> <bR> <div> We may wonder how we can help make our world more fair or just. If the universe is indifferent to our fate, we have to work together to bring some order into this moral chaos. We want others to enjoy the kind of dignity that we enjoy.</div> <bR> <div> We need to turn words and ideas into action and commitment. We need to be generous with our time, our talents, money, energy and enthusiasm. Fortunately, we have the strength of a caring congregation to do what needs to be done. </div> <bR> <div> Oraynu has always committed itself to a social justice agenda. It varies from year to year depending on human needs and the energy of our members. These activities satisfy our need to do and not just watch.</div> <bR> <div> <B>HOW WE CHOOSE A PROJECT</B></div> <div> When we choose which issues to tackle, we look at 3 main areas:</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Our connection to other Jews and to Israel</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="11401010.png" border=0 width="1" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Our passion for human rights </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"><IMG SRC="11601010.png" border=0 width="1" height="1" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Our desire to help groups at risk in our community and the world</div> <bR> <div> <B>CURRENT ACTIVITIES AND POSITION STATEMENTS</B></div> <div> <B>n </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" ><B>Recent Tzedakah Projects: </B></FONT></div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Collection of new toys, craft materials and candies for autistic children in Eilat.  As part of Eilat-Toronto Partnership 2000, Oraynu Children's School has been twinned with a sister school in Eilat, Israel.  We exchange projects with one another based on the values of giving, caring and sharing.  </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Collection, preparation and distribution of 150 packages of women's toiletry items to Ernestine's Women's Shelter, North York Women's Shelter, JWIC and Sistering</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Collection of Chanukah gifts for Jewish Family and Child Services </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Collection of food and clothing for Ve'ahavta which distributes to the homeless in Toronto</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Donation of used inkjet cartridges to Israel Ink</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Collection and distribution of used books and magazines to shelters and seniors' homes</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Wingdings" ><B>n </B></FONT><B>Anti-Semitism: </B>Support statement for FAST (Fighting Anti-Semitism Together), a group of non-Jewish business leaders speaking out against anti-Semitism in Canada</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Wingdings" ><B>n </B></FONT><B>Oraynu-</B><B>Israel Committee </B> </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Fundraising for Magen David Adom, Jewish National Fund, Beit Halochem, Givat Haviva, UJA programs: Promoting Excellence and Ometz, Na'amat, New Israel Fund </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Promoting awareness of media bias against Israel </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Buying Jewish products to help the Israeli economy</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Education about Israel</div> <div> <A HREF="id23_sunday_may_30th__.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Upcoming Events"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c833339900.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Annual Walk with Israel</U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >    </FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SHJ Statement on Israel"><U><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c833339900.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Statement on Israel</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>n </B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" ><B>Participation in UJA Telethon</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Wingdings" ><B>n </B></FONT><B>Same-Sex Marriage:</B> Congregation-wide support statement in favour of same-sex marriage in conjunction with Egale Canada/ education on the issue/our Madrikhot perform same-sex marriages. </div> <div> <A HREF="id44.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Statements on SameSex Marriage and Suppo"><U>Statement on Same-Sex Marriage</U></A> </div> <div> <A HREF="id44_lcshj_statement_in_support_of_equality.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Statements on SameSex Marriage and Suppo"><U>Statement In Support of Equality for Diverse Sexualities & Gender Identities</U></A></div> <div>  <A NAME="n_social_justice_position_statements_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#006699" FACE="Wingdings" ><B>n </B></FONT><B>Social Justice Position Statements:</B> Describe our position on a variety of issues. Click links below for: <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Verdana" > </FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id48.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Statement on Intermarriage"><U>Statement on Intermarriage</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id46.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="SHJ Statement on Reproductive Rights"><U>Statement on Reproductive Rights</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id47.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Statement on Stem Cell Research"><U>Statement on Stem Cell Research</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id60.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Statement on Circumcision and Jewish Ide"><U>Statement on Circumcision and Jewish Identity</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id62.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="School Funding Statement"><U>Statement Opposing Government Funding of Faith-Based Schools</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>OUR STRATEGY</B></div> <div> We reach out to Oraynu members to form a committee. Write letters, collect money, donate items, do hands-on work. </div> <div> We find groups to work with e.g. Ve'ahavta: The Canadian Jewish Humanitarian Relief Committee, UJA Federation, The Society for Humanistic Judaism, Canadian charities</div> <bR> <div> <B>a</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Wingdings 3" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >We invite you to stand with Oraynu members on these issues.</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>a</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Wingdings 3" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >We invite you get become involved with your whole family.</FONT></div> <div> <B>a</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Wingdings 3" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >We invite you to celebrate the human spirit and better the lives of people who are at risk, in need or weak.</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>a</B><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Wingdings 3" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Verdana" >Raise your voice. Raise some money. Join an Oraynu committee.</FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>You will ennoble yourself and others. That's what being Jewish is all about, isn't it?</B></I></div> <bR> <div> Lisa Wright, Madrikha</div> <div>  </div> <div> For more information, call: <B>416-385-3910</B></div> <div> or email: <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#993333" FACE="Verdana" >info@oraynu.org</FONT></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>