Tikkun Olam - Gate of Repair

Judaism rarely asks us to stand alone, beyond the context of our relationships with God, family, or community. In fact, searching to understand one's place within community is a central theme of Judaism. But what is "community?" The definition is broad. Connections between people can be personal (friends), national (Israel, USA), or even humanitarian (relief workers). As we form relationships and create communities, at whatever level, we assume responsibility for the members of those communities. And not only them. We recognize our responsibility to respond to those in need, wherever, and whoever, they may be. There are individuals and families in crisis, communities which require assistance, countries that demand our attention. It is imperative that our community be there. We believe that as we repair the world, we repair a part of ourselves.

Below are just some of our current Tikkun Olam initiatives:

Jewish National Fund

Five thousand acres, over 2 million trees have been lost. The green legacy of generations of Jews is now ashes. It will take decades to recreate what was destroyed, but we will not sit and bemoan our loss. We must take action. Operation Northern Renewal is a campaign preparing Israel for its future, rebuilding to provide hope and opportunity for our people.

Under Operation Northern Renewal's umbrella, JNF is:

• Fighting fires before they start, with new equipment and larger brigades.
• Creating jobs to repair the damage in the northern forests and parks
• Delivering scholarships to Israeli youth
• Promoting Israel-American unity by bringing US students to the north for community service.

Sha'ar supports the work of the JNF. Click here to download a donation form.

A Bright Idea

Electric lighting burns up to 25% of the average home energy budget. The electricity used over the lifetime of a single incandescent bulb costs 5 to 10 times the original purchase price of the bulb itself. Compacy Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) are four times more efficient and last up to 10 times longer than incandescents. Replacing a single incandescent bulb with a CFL will keep a half-ton of CO2 out of the atmosphere over the life of the bulb. If everyone in the U.S. used energy-efficient lighting, we could retire 90 average size power plants. Saving electricity reduces CO2 emissions, sulfur oxide and high-level nuclear waste.

Buy a CFL (or many CFLs) and help Sha'ar to help the environment. Click here to download an order form.