Contacts: Deena P. Heller and Deborah Megdal

Listhost: jewishaction@listhost.uchicago.edu

Description: Jewish Action is a relatively small social justice organization, in that we have a core of dedicated people who each have their own ongoing "pet project," which they are in charge of organizing, and we all support each other's projects by volunteering regularly as much as we can.

About once a quarter, we have a larger event that everyone helps organize, such as the Social Justice Seder, the Tu B'Shvat Seder, and the Rummage Sale. We do our public service in the context of the Jewish tradition of "tikkun olam" (translates to "repairing the world"), but there is nothing especially religious about the actual work that we do. We take upon ourselves the responsibility to help all people, regardless of religious background.

Goals: Develop Jewish community through service, provide a space for Jewish activists to raise issues/discussions, partner with other groups, express Jewish principles of justice and equity in action

• One of our goals this year (2006-2007) is to become more regularly involved with Maria Shelter.

Ongoing Projects : Some of our ongoing projects include Night Ministry, which is a late-night van that parks in poorer local neighborhoods and gives out hot food, coffee, condoms, and sometimes clothing to people in need. Jewish Action has had a good relationship with them for some years. We leave from Hillel every other Thursday evening at 10pm (dates for this year are not set yet because the leader of this project is studying abroad this quarter).

Past Projects: In the past we have also done volunteer cooking for a soup kitchen/shelter called the Living Room Cafe on Sunday mornings.

Dream Projects: We'd like to get involved with Maria Shelter, a local women's and children's shelter for victims of domestic violence, but there has been no one with the time or energy enough to make this their "pet project" so we have only done one project with them so far (holiday care packages last spring).

Accomplishments: South Side Soiree, Social Justice Seder, Night Ministry, Maria Shelter, Immigration Shabbat, Alternative Spring Break

Frustrations: accommodating a diverse community while also enfranchising activists, maintaining momentum, balancing service with activism