Creating a More Just Society

Pursuit of social justice is foundational to our expression of Jewish values – Tzedek, tzedek, tirdof (Deut. 16:18) Justice, justice you shall pursue.

CSI Nyack teaches that each one of us has the power and responsibility to make a difference.

CSI Nyack believes in showing up for our neighbors, and we stand in solidarity with the Black community, the immigrant community, the LGBTQ+ community and all marginalized and minoritized groups. We maintain close relationships with community groups such as the Rockland Pride Center, Proyecto Faro and the Interfaith Clergy Association of Rockland in keeping with our belief that our liberation is bound up together.

We have a moral imperative to be upstanders and work towards change. CSI Nyack, members, staff and leadership commit to listening and learning about how to more effectively cultivate a culture of diversity and inclusion, and to continue teaching and inspiring others to work towards creating a more just society. It has filled our hearts with hope and light to see CSI Nyack families taking a stand against hatred in all of its forms, and against anti-LGBTQ+ activities and systemic racism in particular. Their efforts are making a difference.

Please see our Anti-Racism statement here:

https://www.csinyack.org/anti-racism-statement

It is upon us to continue the work of Tikkun Olam: Repairing the World. 

People to People

In addition to growing fresh vegetables for their food pantry, our congregation partners with People to People to help address the material needs of lower moderate-income (LMI) children and families in Rockland county.

Two to three times per year, we hold a food drive to benefit their Food Pantry. We have also hosted clothing drives for the organization as well. One of our recent Hebrew School graduates founded a free children’s library program of children’s books at People to People and has collected thousands of donated new and gently used books to supply to young readers whose families are clients of People to People.

Anti-Racism Resources

Resources For Parents:

  • Tips for Teaching and Talking to Kids About Race (EmbraceRace)

  • How White Parents Can Talk About Race (NPR)

  • Book suggestion (support a local bookstore if you purchase!): Raising White Kids: Bringing Up Children in a Racially Unjust America

  • How White Parents Can Use Media to Raise Anti-Racist Kids (Common Sense Media)

  • How to Talk to Your Children about Protests and Racism (CNN - Covers infants to teens)

  • The Golden Rule: A Parent’s Guide to Preventing and Responding to Prejudice (Teaching Tolerance)

  • Let’s Talk Season 1: How to Talk to Kids About Race (PBS/KQED)

  • Talk: Race in America (PBS/KQED)

  • Online Apps and Games with Diverse Characters (Common Sense Media - for PreK through high school options)

  • Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children’s Books (Social Justice Books)

  • Videos on Implicit Bias (PBS)

  • ‘Believe us’: Black Jews respond to the George Floyd protests, in their own words (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

  • What is Jewish about respecting differences? (PJ Library)

  • A Jewish Anti-Racist Reading List for Children of All Ages (Kveller)

  • What Not to Say to Jews of Color - And What to Say Instead (Kveller)

  • How to Talk About Race: Resources for Parents (The National Museum of African American History and Culture)

  • How to Raise Anti-Racist Jewish Kids (Kveller)