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In the 1980s, there was a<br />
wave of immigration from<br />
the Former Soviet Union and<br />
South Africa. The synagogue<br />
made a concerted effort to<br />
welcome the new arrivals,<br />
especially those from the FSU.<br />
There was a synagogue op<br />
shop which helped to support<br />
those in the community<br />
who needed assistance.<br />
There were annual collections<br />
to help those in the broader<br />
community including<br />
collecting coats for the<br />
winter and food each year<br />
for Mazon, an organization<br />
established together with North<br />
Shore Temple <strong>Emanuel</strong> to<br />
alleviate hunger. Social justice<br />
programs were linked with<br />
all the Jewish festivals, and<br />
collections were made and<br />
donations given, in line with<br />
the themes of the festival.<br />
For many years, <strong>Emanuel</strong><br />
has had a connection with<br />
the Exodus Foundation,<br />
cooking and serving Easter<br />
Lunch for the clients. On<br />
a number of occasions<br />
volunteers were invited to<br />
speak at the Easter service.<br />
<strong>Emanuel</strong> <strong>Synagogue</strong>’s social<br />
justice group has been<br />
involved with refugees and<br />
asylum seekers, young people’s<br />
literacy programs, feeding the<br />
hungry and homeless, as well<br />
as collecting items to assist in<br />
many areas of the community.<br />
They also provide a forum for<br />
information about issues which<br />
face the community, from<br />
the environmental concerns<br />
and mental health, to asylum<br />
seeker policies and<br />
distribution of wealth.<br />
Interfaith dialogue<br />
was a feature of the<br />
synagogue as well,<br />
something which has<br />
continued through the<br />
80 years - reaching out<br />
to other communities,<br />
building bridges of<br />
understanding and<br />
working on shared projects.<br />
COMMUNITY<br />
Our congregation has a proud<br />
history of involvement in<br />
projects which help to shape<br />
a better world. Inspired by<br />
the teachings of our tradition,<br />
impelled by the words of the<br />
prophets, our congregation has<br />
always held as an imperative<br />
the need to do acts of tikkun<br />
olam. And we do so because<br />
we are Jews. The synagogue<br />
should not only be a place<br />
Volunteers serving meals at Matthew Talbot Hostel<br />
9
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