Temple Emanu-El is Repairing the World

In the early 1980s, when congregations on the Upper East Side came together to form a community response to the growing homelessness epidemic (eventually coalescing into NCS), one of the first actions the group took was to run neighborhood meal programs, with each congregation choosing a different day to feed their neighbors in need. Forty years later, Temple Emanu-El still hosts lunch every Sunday.  

But that’s not all they’re doing.  

Tikkun olam is the Jewish concept that Jews bear responsibility not only for their own moral, spiritual, and material welfare but also for the welfare of society at large and so should engage in various forms of social welfare actions to improve the world. 

In 2005, Temple Emanu-El formed the Tikkun Olam Committee to identify ways to help their neighbors through social-action projects. NCS’s residents were, of course, top of mind for them.  

Each year, the Tikkun Olam Committee puts together packages with items needed by our residents and Chance for Change clients. The Committee has donated toiletry kits, cold weather packages (including hats, scarves, and gloves), and home good kits (including bedding and comforters, towels, kitchen utensils). They also donate gift cards, which are handed out to residents at Louis Nine House and the NCS Residence around Christmas, ensuring everyone receives a gift. 

Susan Kaufman, Chair of the Tikkun Olam Committee, says, “we are staunch supporters of NCS. We like to work together as much as possible. I am always asking Ann [Shalof, NCS’s CEO] how we can help.” 

Temple Emanu-El’s Tikkun Olam Committee has approximately 40 members and is the most active of its kind in the United States. The members organize opportunities for everyone from the Temple Emanu-El community to volunteer together, often making packages like the ones described above that are handed out to people on the street or donated to organizations like NCS.  

In this way, Susan sees the Committee as serving a dual purpose. “We are reaching out to people in need,” she explained, “while also providing opportunities for meaningful connections for all of our congregants. This is a modern expression of the prophetic ideals of Judaism which enables every member to participate in deeds of loving-kindness to create a more just and compassionate world.” 

“The most important thing for us as a community is to help those in need,” Susan continued. “We really work with the community to ensure we are providing the items that people need most. We work with a lot of different organizations, but we have a special relationship with NCS. We were there at the inception. We love continuing to support you both through the work of the Tikkun Olam Committee and through our philanthropic fund.”  

We couldn’t agree more. Thank you so much to Susan Kaufman and everyone at Temple Emanu-El.