Oraynu Cares - Our Commitment to Social Justice and Tzedakah
Sometimes the heaviest burden is having no one to carry …
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.
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.
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.
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.
HOW OUR SOCIAL ACTION WORK GROUP CHOOSES A PROJECT
When we choose which issues to tackle, we look at 3 main areas:
Our connection to other Jews and to IsraelOur passion for human rights
Our desire to help groups at risk in our community and the world
CURRENT PROJECT
"SHOW YOUR HEART" - a weekend (Feb. 11-12, 2012) of fun, fundraising and education, in support of Out of the Cold, the program which provides meals and overnight shelter for the homeless during the winter. Click here for more information.
RECENT ACTIVITIES
Fall 2010-Spring 2011: Pencils for Kids (P4K)
This Canadian charity founded by Robin Mednick, partners with local communities in the African countr y of Niger to provide children in need with educational tools for success - books, school supplies, schools, libraries and friendship. www.pencilsforkids.com P4K has a long list of achievements in the town of Libore: building schools and a library, establishing kindergarten and sports programs, training youth in sewing and farming, pommes du sahel” tree-grafting programs, providing supplies, and much more.
Oraynu's entire congregation got involved by celebrating and supporting the efforts of P4K through several events, raising funds towards the Oraynu P4K Scholarships for Girls, with each $600 enabling one girl to attend high school for a year by providing uniform, books, supplies, tutoring, and money for food.
Fall 2008: Oraynu Solar Cooker Project
Helping the women and children of Darfur through fundraising for the purchase of Solar Cookers, a project of Jewish World Watch. Five events from August-October will raise money for this vital initiative.
Recent Tzedakah Projects:
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.
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
Collection of Chanukah gifts for Jewish Family and Child Services
Collection of food and clothing for Ve'ahavta which distributes to the homeless in Toronto
Donation of used inkjet cartridges to Israel Ink
Collection and distribution of used books and magazines to shelters and seniors' homes
Anti-Semitism: Support statement for FAST (Fighting Anti-Semitism Together), a group of non-Jewish business leaders speaking out against anti-Semitism in Canada
Oraynu-Israel Committee
Fundraising for Magen David Adom, Jewish National Fund, Beit Halochem, Givat Haviva, UJA programs: Promoting Excellence and Ometz, Na'amat, New Israel Fund
Promoting awareness of media bias against Israel
Buying Jewish products to help the Israeli economy
Education about Israel
Participation in UJA Telethon
POSITION STATEMENTS
Same-Sex Marriage: 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.
Social Justice Position Statements: Describe our position on a variety of issues. Click links below for:
OUR STRATEGY
We reach out to Oraynu members to form a committee. Write letters, collect money, donate items, do hands-on work.
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
a We invite you to stand with Oraynu members on these issues.
a We invite you get become involved with your whole family.
a We invite you to celebrate the human spirit and better the lives of people who are at risk, in need or weak.
a Raise your voice. Raise some money. Join an Oraynu committee.
You will ennoble yourself and others. That's what being Jewish is all about, isn't it?
Lisa Wright, Madrikha
For more information, call: 416-385-3910
or email: info@oraynu.org
Annual Walk with Israel