Shabbat Evening Services: Pride Shabbat
Shabbat & Holidays
This evening wear rainbow colors to honor the movement for LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion and join us for a festive service with the members of Beth El Pride.
Social Justice
Through our Social Justice work,
we endeavor to Repair the World - Tikkun Olam.
Our concern for the vulnerable, the pursuit of justice, not remaining indifferent, strengthening bonds of understanding, and a vision for the next generations are Jewish values that guide our Social Justice work as we seek to leave the world better than how we found it.
We will pursue these values through two important and interconnected efforts: Social Action and Civic Engagement.
At Temple Beth El, Social Action + Civic Engagement = Social Justice
Our Temple’s strategic plan, adopted by the Board of Trustees in 2023, describes the relationship between these efforts in a helpful and meaningful way. Our work of Social Action, helping meet people’s needs today with fundraising, supplies collection, and raising awareness of important causes, will continue and grow. We have added to that our work of Civic Engagement, advocating for a vision of our community grounded in and inspired by our Reform Jewish values, through things like ballot initiatives, lobbying elected officials, and partnering and collaborating with other organizations to amplify our voice and our influence. Â
Social Action
Through Social Action, we endeavor to address people's needs today.
Our signature social action program is The Giving Tree, a community-wide program which helps low-income and homeless children, families and seniors. Today, we help thousands of people all year long. The Giving Tree provides clothing, essential personal items, school supplies, and school uniforms to help eliminate some of the many insecurities faced by this population on a daily basis through Quiet Giving. In 2025, the annual Holiday Project served close to 2000 recipients referred by over 20 local service agencies throughout Palm Beach County each year.
We have also partnered with organizations like the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation, Gift of Life, and Magen David Adom to raise awareness and funds for their important causes, built homes with Habitat for Humanity, gleaned produce for local food pantries, and collected supplies for disaster relief.
Civic Engagement
Civic Engagement is work that seeks to have long-term impact. It includes elements of organizing, public advocacy and action.
Over the past few years, we have answered our tradition’s call to advocate for a better world, as we stood up for marriage equality, supported voting rights for returning citizens who had repaid their debt to society, formed an Israel Response Task Force after October 7th, and most recently stood in support of reproductive rights. Â
Our teens learn about civic engagement and how to advocate for issues that are important to them. They have participated in the Religious Action Center (RAC)’s Teen Justice Fellowship, lobbied United States Congresspeople during L’Taken Teen Experience, and lobbied our Florida Representatives for gun safety measures in the aftermath of the Parkland school shooting.
Ongoing civic engagement initiatives include Racial Equity, Voter Engagement, Candidates’ Forum, and LGBTQ+ Pride.
Values & Core Positions
Our Social Justice work is inspired by the core values of Reform Judaism: caring for the vulnerable, pursuing justice, refusing to remain indifferent, building understanding, and envisioning a better world for future generations.
These enduring values—rooted in Torah and Jewish tradition—are not only etched into the walls of our synagogue campuses, but into the heart of our community.
Motivated by these principles and deeply aware of the injustices facing our world today, we pursue meaningful change through thirteen core social justice positions.
Social Justice Circles
Temple Beth El members are invited to take part in Social Justice Circles—small, focused groups that turn our shared values into action. Each Circle is based on one of our Core Social Justice Positions.
The list of current Social Justice Circles is below. Click on the name of the Social Justice Circles you are interested in and fill out the form to get involved!
Antisemitism
Immigration
LGBTQ+ Rights
Protecting Democracy
Reproductive Freedom
Social Justice Committee
Any temple member with an interest in Social Justice is welcome to be part of the Social Justice Committee. Together, we will live out our Reform Jewish values through two important and interconnected efforts – social action (helping meet people’s needs today) and civic engagement (advocating for long-term change). We will work toward a world that is safe, just, free and fair.
This committee is chaired by the Vice President of Social Justice.
The Giving Tree
The Giving Tree is a volunteer-led program of Temple Beth El, supported by a dedicated leadership committee and volunteers throughout our temple community. In partnership with local social service agencies, we provide support to more than 2,000 children, teens, and seniors through our Holiday Wish List Program, over 700 children through our Back to School Program, and more than 400 families facing urgent hardship through our Quiet Giving Program. We treat every person we serve like a member of our own family, spreading kindness, dignity, and hope throughout Palm Beach County.
Beth El Pride
& Social Justice T-Shirts
Show your Beth El Pride or your passion for Social Justice work with a T-Shirt!
Shirts are $15 each.
Upcoming Social Justice Events
5 events found.
Events
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Temple Beth El - Schaefer Family Campus 333 SW 4th Avenue, Boca Raton, FL, United States
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Stonewall Pride Parade
The Stonewall Pride Street Festival in Wilton Manors begins at 3:00 pm, and the parade will start at 8:00 pm. Temple Beth El will be walking as a group along […]
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Protecting Democracy Social Justice Circle Postcards and Pizza
Temple Beth El -Beck Family Campus 9800 Yamato Rd, Boca Raton, FL, United StatesMembers of the Protecting Democracy Social Justice Circle are working to Get Out the Vote. Join our nonpartisan efforts to make sure every eligible voter has a say in decisions […]
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The Giving Tree Back to School Program – Pack the Bag
Every year Palm Beach County students and their families face difficult financial times and are faced with returning to school without necessary supplies. The Giving Tree’s Back to School program […]
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Immigration Social Justice Circle Meeting
Join on Zoom to plan both action and advocacy for the year ahead. Members of the Immigration Social Justice Circle work for the dignity, honor and humane treatment of all […]