Temple Jeremiah has earned a reputation as a community of people committed to healing the world through our award-winning social advocacy platforms and programs. We have become a sought-after resource by other organizations on how they can be successful with social justice initiatives and programming.

We advocate from a foundation of Jewish values that calls on us to heal the world. Temple Jeremiah advocacy focuses on social justice issues and mobilizing our community and others through: 1) educating our congregants and people from other faith-based organizations about social justice issues, and 2) teaching people how to communicate their opinions on local, state and federal programs, and legislation to their elected officials.

Temple Jeremiah advocacy efforts focus on Criminal Justice, Gun Safety, Hunger Advocacy, Immigration, Inclusion and Mental Health. As a community, we continually monitor other social justice issues to determine if Temple Jeremiah should be involved.

We are proud to partner with the following organizations on our advocacy initiatives: JCFS Chicago, New Trier Multifaith Alliance (NTMA), Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism – Illinois (RAC-IL), Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUA), Northern Illinois Food Bank, and Greater Chicago Food Depository.

TEMPLE JEREMIAH SOCIAL ADVOCACY PLATFORMS

The Torah teaches us: Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof. Justice, Justice shall you pursue. As Jews, we are told to pursue justice even if it is not to our benefit. Identifying racism in all forms, within ourselves, within our community, and within society is our charge. God commands us to go beyond the letter of the law.

The Temple Jeremiah Advocacy Platform holds that we believe and support:

  • All people deserve respect, dignity, and justice.
  • Racial inequities exist in both access to and opportunities in societal institutions, including education, criminal justice, healthcare, housing, and the labor market.
  • Racism exists at individual, interactional, and institutional levels.
  • We support changes that undo the effects of racism and resulting inequities.

The Temple Jeremiah Advocacy Platform holds that we believe and support:

  • Justice should be color blind.
  • Punishment should be just.
  • The ability to get fair, just treatment should not depend on income.

Jewish tradition requires all communities and societies to protect the welfare of their members and to develop the conditions necessary for the maintenance of health and safety. Judaism teaches that everyone is created in Tselem Elohim – the Image of God. When the rabbis in the Talmud come across a case in society that is not specifically covered by a Mitzvah in Torah, but must be addressed, they base their rulings on a simple verse in the Torah: “And you shall do that which is Yashar and Tov – righteous and good” (Deuteronomy 6:18).

The Temple Jeremiah Advocacy Platform holds that we believe and support:

  • Common-sense solutions can help decrease the escalating epidemic of gun violence.
  • Educating and mobilizing supporters to take action will result in stronger laws and policies to save lives.

The Temple Jeremiah Advocacy Platform holds that we believe and support:

  • No one should go hungry.
  • Access to healthy, fresh, nutritional food is for everyone.
  • Food assistance programs must be protected.
  • Barriers to food access must be eliminated for everyone.

The Temple Jeremiah Advocacy Platform holds that we believe and support:

  • Our nation is stronger when we welcome those of different race, ethnicity and faith traditions.
  • Our nation will be stronger with clear paths toward citizenship for immigrants.
  • All people within our nation should be treated with dignity and respect.

Individuals with special needs should have equal opportunity to participate in all aspects of society.

The Temple Jeremiah Advocacy Platform holds that we believe and support:

  • Access to individual housing options within a community should be available for those with special needs.
  • Social services that maintain health and family unity must be protected.
  • Barriers to housing and social services must be eliminated.

Individuals with mental illness should have equal opportunity to fully participate in society.

The Temple Jeremiah Advocacy Platform holds that we believe and support:

  • Everyone should have equal access to quality mental health providers regardless of their socioeconomic background.
  • Education to all age groups about mental health must be provided to promote understanding and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.