Community Outreach & Social Action
Going back to its founding, Rodef Shalom Congregation has nurtured a tradition of social action. The Community Outreach and Social Action (COSA) Committee continues this effort through programs and activities intended to improve and repair our local and greater community, care for our communities and environment and build relationships within and around our community.
Projects have included
-
Clothing, food, and diaper drives
-
Working with JFCS, helping set up residences to welcome refugees to Pittsburgh
-
Participation in Religious Action Center (RAC) work
-
Delivering produce to local pantries and the community
-
Joining Temple Sinai to serve meals at the East End Cooperative Ministry
-
Repurposing paper products
Through these projects, COSA members
-
Developed relationships with JFCS
-
Developed partnerships with local community organizations
-
Forged a connection with The RAC and now has a RAC liaison
COSA continues its drive to work towards Tikkun Olam and searches for ways to engage with members and the community and for volunteers to provide the capacity for projects.
Upcoming projects include
-
Collaboration with Temple Sinai to grow produce for the food insecure
-
Caring for our environment by increasing recycling awareness
-
Spring 2025 Diaper Drive
If you are reading our page, we are glad we reached you. If you are interested in getting involved or know someone who is, please contact us at [info@rodefshalom.org](mailto:info@rodefshalom.org).
If you have specific questions about community gardening efforts, please contact us at info@rodefshalom.org or the Biblical Garden at biblicalgarden@rodefshalom.org.
Welcome to the
Community Outreach & Social Action Resource Corner
Here you will find a curated list of topical and timely resources related to issues that may be of importance to Rodef Shalom Congregation members and members of the Pittsburgh community at large. While not an exhaustive list (by any means!), our hope is to provide a Jewish context for understanding and acting upon issues that are important to us as Jews in today's world. Items of interest will be added periodically. To make a suggestion for an article or resource, to ask a question or to find out more information, please contact Rabbi Jessica Locketz.
Current Topic: Antisemitism
Antisemitism Uncovered: A Guide to Old Myths in a New Era
This is a comprehensive resource with historical context, fact-based descriptions of prevalent antisemitic myths, contemporary examples and calls-to-action for addressing this hate.
Antisemitism: Here and Now by Deborah Lipstadt
An established expert in the field uses a very readable format in this current assessment of antisemitism in the United States. The author writes letters to a student and a professor to answer their tough questions about what antisemitism is, where to find it, how to call it out and what to do about it. She ends with a prophetic call to focus not only on the ‘Oy’ of Antisemitism, but also on the ‘Joy’ of our Jewish heritage.
How to address antisemitic rhetoric when you encounter it
This article addresses recent antisemitic events and gives suggestions of what to do when one encounters antisemitism.
Antisemitism: 90 Ways You Can Respond
Designed to empower students and their families to address antisemitism, this list of actions gives ideas and makes suggestions of things to be done at home, in the school setting, and in the community.
Table Talk: Family Conversations About Antisemitism Today
This is a resource for families with children 12+. It includes conversation starters as well as some ideas for age-appropriate action.