Rabbi Jonah Pesner Meeeting
September 28, 2007/ 16 Tishrei 5768
Remarks – Honey Amado

HISTORY OF TEMPLE ISAIAH IN SOCIAL JUSTICE

Temple Isaiah’s Mission statement:

Part of our mission at Temple Isaiah is to deepen our relationships with God, with Israel, and with each other, by recognizing the dignity of the Divinity within each human being.  This recognition that our relationship with God is dependent upon our relationship with other human beings – and conversely, our relationship with other human beings reflects the presence of God in the world  – motivates Temple Isaiah’s activism to respond to injustice in our community, in our nation, and in the world.

We have long been a voice for justice in our community – locally, nationally, in Israel, and internationally. 
I. Locally

1. In the 1960's and days of the Vietnam War, with its negative effects on our society, we established the Robert Green Contact Center, as a drop-in center for alienated youth. 
2. Concerned about inter-communal and inter-racial relations, many years ago we developed a relationship with First A.M.E. (First African-Methodist and Episcopalian) Church. 
1. This relationship has waned – with the change of leadership at FAME
2. For many years, we had a legal-aid clinic which met monthly at FAME, staffed by attorneys for Temple Isaiah.  (Under the leadership of Michael Asimov.)
3. It is our hope to continue to establish relationships with other ethnic communities in Los Angeles.
3. For many years, we supported AIDS brunches, bringing brunches to the AIDS wards (when they existed) at Los Angeles County General Hospital and at Sherman Oaks Hospital.  (I believe that this was under the leadership of Charlene Kodimer.)
4. For many years, we participated in One Voice, a Thanksgiving communal dinner for the homeless in Santa Monica.
1. Now, we are part of a food-sorting program in Santa Monica for Thanksgiving.
5. Beyond Shelter – providing needed materials and support to a homeless center.
1. Under the leadership of Ali Meyers.

II. On the national stage,

1. Soon after our founding, we hosted Eleanor Roosevelt, perhaps one of the greatest voices for social justice in the 20th Century. 
2. During the Civil Rights movement, Martin Luther King spoke to our congregation, where all knew that we cared deeply about justice and equality for all people in our nation.
3. We have been in the forefront of speaking in favor of hand-gun control.
4. Valuing science and its ability to benefit humans as the presence of God, we have encouraged our members to participate in national transplant and bone-marrow registries.
5. Participated in Katrina relief.
1. Raised money on High Holy Days, our Board agreeing that some of the monies typically raised for the Temple should be shared with the people in Louisiana.
2. Did some of our members go to work there?  I think so, but not sure.

III. Israel

1. We have been unwaveringly pro-Zionist and pro-Israel, recognizing that there is no inconsistency between love and support and critique. 
1. We responded quickly to the war with Hezbollah in Lebanon – in Summer 2006, generously giving money to assist the Israelis dislocated and injured in the North.
2. Our Rabbi Klein went on a whirlwind visit to see for herself – and for us – the damage that had been inflicted in the North of Israel and to carry our support to them.
3. Our Cantor has gone to Sderot to show support for that beleaguered city and has led us in becoming a voice for their needs.
2. We have partnered with a Reform congregation in Israel, Mevusseret Zion, in our support of liberal Judaism in Israel.
3. We have long supported NACOEJ – the North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry – supporting their work in Ethiopia as well as their social work in Israel, to assist and educate the Ethiopian refugees and their children.

IV. Internationally,

1. During the Soviet Jewry movement of the 1970's and 1980's, we were strong advocates for freedom for Soviet Jews and proudly displayed a Free Soviet Jewry banner on our front wall facing Pico Boulevard. 
1. All who passed by knew our commitment to the Soviet Jews, a commitment both brought full circle and renewed with our delivery of one of Torahs to a congregation in Byelorussia for Simchat Torah.
2. We were amongst the first congregations to join Jewish World Watch, now 57 congregations-strong, formed to respond to human atrocities around the world, and focusing our efforts for the last three years on Darfur. 
1. We have taken our membership seriously by having events to raise money to assist the refugees and to advocate on their behalf;
2. And by educating our children and engaging them in the responsibility to respond to atrocities.