In 2002, JFSJ launched a national initiative to encourage and support synagogues as they deepen their social justice efforts through congregation-based community organizing (CBCO). Our goal was to address the lack of sustained engagement in activities beyond direct service programs and to challenge congregations to address systemic issues relating to domestic poverty and social injustice. The CBCO model of activism unites a diverse range of people, primarily through religious congregations, in the shared goal of building a civic power base capable of making change to promote the public good. Today, nearly 100 synagogues across the United States are engaged in or actively exploring CBCO.
Today, increasing numbers of synagogues are engaging in interfaith campaigns on vital issues of local concern, from expanding health coverage for low income workers to building affordable housing. JFSJ provides synagogues across the country with leadership development, a synagogue organizing e-newsletter, phone consultations, publications and resource materials , grants, trainings and educational programming , local and national gatherings.
New in CBCO:
The S3K Report is now available. How do synagogues make change? Change in ourselves, our families, our congregations, our communities, our world? Download this report, a product of this partnership between S3K and JFSJ.
JFSJ is creating new resources for synagogues exploring and engaged in CBCO. Click here to view JFSJ's new video on congregation-based community organizing and hear leaders from synagogues around the country share their stories and reflections.
What is
congregation-based
community organizing?
Three core components of the synagogue organizing model are essential to the process:
- congregants engage in one-to-one conversations within their synagogue, and often with other congregations, about their social justice passions.
- leaders engage in extensive clergy and lay leadership training and development.
- synagogue leaders work side-by-side with dozens of faith institutions and progressive organizations in their community, across lines of race, class, and faith.
What is the impact?
Each of these components strengthens lay leaders, is a vehicle for congregational development, and builds strong bridges between Jews and other community leaders and institutions. Eventually, as this model grows deeper roots in synagogues across the United States, we hope it will create a strong synagogue-based voice for creating healthier communities. Examples of this work could include calling for universal health care, a higher minimum wage, or more affordable housing.
In 2006, the Jewish community’s involvement in CBCO leapt forward when JFSJ partnered with the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) to create Just Congregations, an initiative aimed at supporting synagogue organizing within Reform congregations. Just Congregations represents the first denominational commitment to engagement synagogues in CBCO, and is already changing the way in which the Reform movement supports synagogue justice work.
Also in 2006, the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation (JRF) began actively to promote and support CBCO in its congregations across the country. With a grant from JFSJ, JRF is creating a network of Reconstructionist communities involved in CBCO, and developing resources for those interested or involved in this work.
The Jewish Funds for Justice is also working to expand synagogue engagement in CBCO through its Leadership for Public Life program, which trains rabbinic and cantorial students in synagogue organizing.
