Synagogue Programming >> Schechter Awards >> Social Action Public Policy
Social Action - Public Policy
"Social Action" refers to the hands-on involvement of the synagogue in Jewish and secular social justice issues on the local, state, national and/or international level. Social action programming often involves cooperation and/or coalition with other community groups, Jewish and non-Jewish, that share our concerns.
The Solomon Schechter Social Action Award-Public Policy recognizes synagogues within the Conservative Movement that have organized hands-on projects in response to a need created by social injustice or a natural or human crisis. In assessing a synagogue's accomplishments and achievements, the committee considers the following:
- Describe the congregation’s Social Action / Public Policy Committee. Include information about its structure, how members are selected, its pattern of meetings, its accountability, and how it is managed.
- Describe in detail the response of the congregation to social action and public policy issues and concerns affecting the community -- local, state / province, national or international – since May 2009.
- Describe in detail programs and projects in which the committee joined with other community groups.
- Describe in detail how this committee involved the synagogue as a whole in its programming. What other synagogue committees or affiliates e.g. Men's Club, Sisterhood, Youth, etc., were involved in the activities and programming of the committee?
- How did the committee utilize the skills of synagogue professionals, i.e. the Rabbi, Cantor, educators, etc., for its programs and projects?
- Was the synagogue's approach and/or handling of a specific issue or problem unique in relation to the approach of other organizations within the general community?
- How do you assess the impact and results of the synagogue's social action-public policy projects on the synagogue in particular and the community in general?
- Describe in detail any response, evaluation and/or feedback from the community as a result of the committee's activities and programming.
