Social Justice
KAM Isaiah Israel has a long history of doing powerful social justice work and effecting real change in our community and beyond. The Social Justice Committee facilitates and coordinates a range of educational, advocacy, volunteer, and other activities, including both ongoing projects and new initiatives. Our congregation’s highly successful urban farm program will continue its important work through the Food Justice and Sustainability Committee.
In March of 2017, the Board of Directors approved a Statement of Commitments to promote justice and combat hatred in all forms.
Member Spotlight: Volunteering with the Hyde Park Refugee Project
TILLY DAVIS
Everything about the HPRP has just been amazing. Not only have I learned so much, but I have now connected with so many other people. I have met members from KAMII synagogue that I did not know, engaged with neighbors from the Hyde Park community and now an Afghan family. I feel like we are a team and a new family all together at the same time. It's truly been a unique experience and I am grateful for KAMII supporting the HPRP mission.
One thing about this experience that has warmed my heart was when the father asked the 3 children to accompany me to walk and pick up my son from Shoresh. So, off I went with the three children to KAMII. When it came time to cross the street, I grabbed their hands and thought to myself, "Wow! I am responsible for these 3 young children who are from half way around the world, basically strangers and we don't even speak the same language." But the warm feeling that came over me with just holding their hands was so moving. We are so different yet we are so much the same. At the end of the day, we are all human and that makes us one.
HOWARD LATEN AND NANCY FRITZ
The passion, energy and dedication of the HPRP volunteers has been amazing. As a semi-retired physician, Nancy has been working to arrange for medical providers for the whole family and I have been employing my skills as a handyman to put up curtain rods, install wall hangers, and make minor repairs in the family’s apartment. I have also been providing transportation, including the initial pick-up at O’Hare, and trips to Edgewater and the Devon corridor in West Rogers Park. We have also been helping with the younger children when the parents attend the daily English lessons at a local church.
The most rewarding times have been the family’s insistence that we stay to share meals with them whenever we happen to be dropping things off or checking out a problem (a locked bathroom door or a mysterious stove malfunction – both easily solved). The most touching moment was during the Dad’s brother’s visit last week. Unlike Dad, he has been in the U.S. for two years, working on the west coast, and is fluent in English. I picked him up at the airport last Wednesday and then drove the brothers on Friday to Devon Ave for food shopping. As we parted Friday evening, he told me I was the nicest American he had ever met and that his brother’s family was in good, generous hands.
Sat, April 27 2024
19 Nisan 5784
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