Social Justice

“This is the fast I desire: To unlock fetters of wickedness, and untie the cords of the yoke; To let the oppressed go free; To break off every yoke. It is to share your bread with the hungry, and to take the poor into your home; When you see the naked, to clothe him, And not to ignore your own kin.”

— Isaiah 58:6-7

Our community offers many ways to live our Jewish values through social action and social justice. For generations, CMI has been known as a community dedicated to tikkun olam, repairing our world. Join us to plant food for those in need, to house and cook for the homeless, donate clothing, and work with our elected officials to pursue justice.

Confronting Racism

Confronting Racism offers ongoing opportunities for our congregation to learn and discuss issues and topics aimed at increasing our understanding of systemic racism both historically and in current times. Learn more and get involved…

Peah Garden

Peah (Hebrew for “corner”) refers to the commandment to leave the corners of one’s fields unharvested for the poor to glean. Our organic community garden has 15 plots; half of the crops harvested are donated to area soup kitchens, and the other half personal use. Over a ton of vegetables are donated each year. Participants from CMI are joined by fellow gardeners from the Unitarian Society and Presbyterian Church. They begin the planting season with study of the Biblical and Rabbinic laws of giving, and implement these over the course of the summer.

The Peah Garden is a wonderful opportunity to meet other synagogue families and contribute to a community mitzvah by supporting the soup kitchens over the summer and fall months. The garden, which was begun in 1990, is located behind the synagogue.

Life is Delicious

Life is Delicious is a program that brings people together to cook for Columbus House’s regular and overflow shelters, as well as for others in need. Congregants of all ages and skill levels are invited to join in the fun and help with the cooking.

CHEVRA HANDS

Join us in creating shawls for those in our congregation who might find comfort in the expression of caring. Chevra Hands makes quilts and blankets to welcome our newest members, as well as provides loving warmth to those who are ill. We knit and crochet and have been creating together lap quilts and baby blankets. No experience is necessary, just a sense of humor, patience and a willingness to learn. For further information contact us.

CONECT

Congregation Mishkan Israel is a proud member of CONECT (Congregations Organized for a New Connecticut), an interfaith collective of faith communities and civic organizations from New Haven and Fairfield counties. The organization represents more than 20,000 people that have joined together to take action on social and economic justice issues of common concern. CONECT has made an impact on issues as varied as gun violence, health insurance rates, police reform, immigrant rights, and more.

For more information about CONECT, visit www.weconect.org. To get involved with CONECT at CMI, please contact us.

Sanctuary Congregation

On April 16, 2018, the CMI Board of Trustees voted: “To authorize and implement the sanctuary shelter for Mishkan Israel.” This statement reflects our congregation’s commitment to the Jewish values of loving the stranger and to the commandment that we shall have one law for stranger and citizen alike (Lev 24:22). We are prepared to welcome a guest into our sacred home should the need arise.

Declaring ourselves a sanctuary congregation allows us to join with ten other Connecticut faith-communities called New Sanctuary Connecticut. As a member, the synagogue helps support congregations that currently house those in need, as well as advocate for changes to immigration laws, policies and for the release of non-violent people currently in detention centers.

We are always looking for more people to help us in this sacred work.

Jewish Community Alliance for Refugee Resettlement (JCARR)

JCARR is a partnership among six area synagogues and the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, all coming together to welcome, sponsor and support refugee families new to our area. In addition to CMI, JCARR includes Congregation Beth-El-Keser Israel (BEKI), Congregation B'nai Jacob, Congregation Or Shalom, and Temple Emanuel, and Temple Beth David. JCARR’s vision for refugee resettlement is intricately connected to the Jewish tradition of welcoming the strangers among us and of tikkun olam (repairing the world). As refugees begin the journey of rebuilding their lives, JCARR volunteers work in partnership with these families to respectfully help them regain their dignity, confidence and sense of control. Since December 2015, JCARR has welcomed seven refugee/asylum families as a co-sponsor of Integrated Refugee & Immigration Services (IRIS).