By unanimous vote of the UJC:

UJC endorses the call by the international Jewish organization of next generation leaders, Kol Dor and the State of Israel, and their partners, to declare the Hebrew month of Cheshvan as “Jewish Social Action Month�. Each year, Cheshvan will be a month devoted to social action and social justice, whereby the Jewish community will give more of its time and resources to pursue the sacred values of tzedek and tikkun olam. In dedicating this month, the time following the Days of Awe, we aspire to advance the dream of generations: the redemption of Israel and the redemption of the world.
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JEWISH SOCIAL ACTION MONTH
Background
UJC’s Jewish renaissance and renewal agenda seeks to enact a vision that will transform
and reinvigorate Jewish life in North America, Israel and around the world, one that will
nurture vibrant Jewish communities based on core Jewish values, including Torah
(learning), tzedek (justice), chesed (caring and compassion), avodah (service) and tikun
olam (ethics and repairing the world), all in a framework that reinforces Jewish
peoplehood, mutual responsibility and love of Israel. UJC endeavors to serve and
transform federation communities into pluralistic communities of Jewish meaning,
passion, inspiration, and learning which enable individuals to construct meaningful
personal and collective Jewish identities and lifestyles.

UJC is committed to developing and executing strategies that will expand dramatically
the participation of Jews aged 20-35 in Jewish life. To engage successfully the next
generation of Jewish leaders, special initiatives can be developed that appeal to their
interests and strengthen their bonds to our community. Recent surveys report that tikkun
olam (repair of the world) and social justice motivate much of this younger generation’s
identification with what is important about being a Jew. According to NJPS 2000-01,
45% of young adults 18-34 volunteer their time. That number increases to 49% in adults
35-49 (footnote1).

Consistent with these findings, Federation-supported programs that help people
in need and that advocate on behalf of the social justice agenda are likely to attract the
next generation to become involved meaningfully in our community.

ACTION RECOMMENDATIONS:
UJC endorses the call by the international Jewish organization of next generation leaders,
Kol Dor and the State of Israel, and their partners, to declare the Hebrew month of
Cheshvan as “Jewish Social Action Month�. Each year, Cheshvan will be a month
devoted to social action and social justice, whereby the Jewish community will give more
of its time and resources to pursue the sacred values of tzedek and tikkun olam. In
dedicating this month, the time following the Days of Awe, we aspire to advance the
dream of generations: the redemption of Israel and the redemption of the world. UJC
shall support Federations with “Live Generously� resource materials and encourage them
to dedicate the month of Cheshvan to increased education and hands-on programming as
part of their broader strategy of strengthening Jewish identity and building compelling
communities, especially reaching out to the younger generations in their community.

Submitted by the Jewish Renaissance and Renewal Pillar

(1 Volunteerism among American Jews, Lawrence Kotler-Berkowitz and Miriam Rieger, February 2005)