What We Believe
As Solelites, we are bold Pathfinders in the pursuit of social justice. A fierce dedication to social justice permeates our past and defines our future. Repairing the world is important work, and it’s not the work of a few. It is our vision to engage every congregant in tikkun olam—repairing the world. We will achieve this by creating innovative and rewarding opportunities that drive the active participation of all generations in the pursuit of meaningful change.
Our major initiatives in the area of social justice include:
Tikkun Olam
Our identity has always been closely tied to social justice. Solel has many groups devoted to Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and Tzedakah (justice)including Just Congregations, PADs, Congregational Blood Drive and Mitzvah Day Task Force. Social justice is woven into our every day, as generations come together to work on important issues in our community, the nation, and the world.
Just Congregations
With its focus on achieving systemic social change, Just Congregations is one of the important ways that Solel pursues social justice. Through one-to-one conversations, we’re able to identify issues of common concern and build community within the congregation. Our involvement with the national Just Congregations initiative and our affiliation with Lake County United (LCU) help strengthen Solel’s relationships within the Jewish and larger community.
Through hundreds of conversations with our congregants, aging-related concerns have emerged as an issue that deeply affects them. These concerns come from those who are aging and elderly, as well as those who are caring for aging relatives. We see the potential for both direct service action within the congregation and political action in the larger community.
We’ve undertaken an initiative we call Aging with Dignity and formed a team to work on this issue. Through its research, the team has learned about a successful model that’s been implemented successfully in other communities to meet the overwhelming desire of older adults to stay in their own homes for as long as safely possible. In communities across the country, these independent-minded adults have joined together to form organizations—typically called “villages”—that help them realize this goal. Solelites, in concert with other congregations in Southeast Lake County, are exploring the option of bringing the village model to our area.
If you’re interested in learning more about Just Congregations, contact the office.
PADS
PADS Crisis Services, Inc., is a nonprofit organization that provides emergency shelter, permanent housing, and support services to families with children and individuals who are experiencing homelessness in Lake County. One Sunday a month, a Solel family prepares and serves a meal to families at PADS. Solel has been committed to PADS for nearly a decade.
For more information or to inquire about volunteering at PADS, contact the office.
Blood Drive
Solel holds an annual congregational blood drive—an undertaking that involved dozens of volunteers who collaborate with the Red Cross to transform Solel into a blood donation center. If you would like to volunteer, contact the office.
Mitzvah Day
Mitzvah Day is an annual Solel tradition that we’ve recently re-instituted. On this day, we join together to recapture the energy of our past as we work to build a better future.
Our updated approach to Mitzvah Day is holisitic in that it’s devoted equally to study and hands-on activities. We offer lectures, study sessions and learning programs, all with the theme of social justice. Activities include an educational component to provide context and encourage continued involvement in the cause.
This day requires a great deal of planning, and we welcome your participation in this important and exciting initiative. If you’d like to get involved in planning our next Mitzvah Day, contact the office.