Social Action

“If justice and righteousness define what it means to be a Jew, then we must constantly search for ways to implement our values. If it’s the foundation of our covenant, we cannot say, ‘I tried, I did my share.’ Rather, every day we have to wake up and ask, ‘Is there something that I can do? Is there something that I didn’t do? Is there something that I could try again?’”

Rabbi Steven Rein, Kol Nidre Sermon, 2017

Please join us and get involved! All are welcome to join our monthly Zoom committee meetings that are typically scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month. Contact Committee Chair Mark Kutner for more information.

Our Partners, Projects, and Ways to Get Involved

Below is a list of some of the Social Action Committee’s primary partners. For a complete list, please click here.

ALIVE!

ALIVE! (ALexandrians InVolved Ecumenically) is the largest private social safety net for those in need in Alexandria. Its programs are developed and supported by volunteers from 50 congregations and the community.

Many Ways to ContributeEvery Day Throughout the Year

Each month ALIVE! supports 20,000 Alexandrians needing assistance with food, furniture, housewares, housing, and emergency financial assistance. You can help. Bring nonperishable, nutritious groceries to the bin in the synagogue coatroom; volunteer; or send a donation. Scroll the ALIVE! website at alive-inc.org or check it out on social media at @Alive4Alexandria. Find ways to help that fit you best.

Questions?

Please send an email to AAC ALIVE! representative, Joan Hartman Moore.

HIAS

Originally founded to aid Jewish refugees, HIAS has since expanded to provide humanitarian aid and assistance to refugees of all nationalities, religions, and ethnic origins. It advocates for the protection of refugees, ensures that displaced people are treated with the dignity they deserve, and provides vital services to refugees and asylum seekers so that they can rebuild their lives. For more information, click here.

Carpenter’s Shelter

Alexandria’s Carpenter’s Shelter serves over 750 homeless and formerly homeless children and adults each year. Agudas Achim supports Carpenter’s Shelter by cooking b-monthly meals and raising money for their annual Christmas Dinner. AAC also periodically collects food for the shelter. To learn more about Carpenter Shelter’s work, click here.

Refugee Response

In 2021, Agudas Achim was shocked and horrified by the images pouring out of Afghanistan as the U.S. military attempted to evacuate as many American and Afghan citizens as they could before the Taliban consolidated control over the nation. The AAC community, like many others, became determined to take meaningful action to support our Afghan allies. The AAC Social Action Committee formed a steering committee to streamline the congregations efforts.

Since then, thanks to the generosity of the Agudas Achim community, we’ve gone from supporting two Afghan Ally families to five! To read more about the impact that our efforts have had, please click here.

Social Justice Resources

Social Action Photo Gallery

Below are some photos from various Social Action events throughout the year. Photos were provided by members of AAC.