ECRUSY || ECRUSY.org
Welcome to the Social Action/Tikkun Olam page!
SA/TO Frequently Asked Questions
by Elise Loterman, ECRUSY SA/TO VP 2002-2003
What is Social Action?
Social Action is physical things that we can do to assist people in need. This includes anything and everything from visiting the sick; to decorating old age homes to recycling our garbage and even things like writing letters to government officials to help create change on issues that are important to us.
What is Tikkun Olam?
Tikkun Olam is the name of USY's charity. Literally translated, Tikkun Olam means repairing the world. In this context, it is helping other people with a monetary donation. It is not always possible to help everyone we want to physically, so sending money is another great way to help.
Where does the Tikkun Olam money go?
All of the money raised throughout USY is divided up this way:
- 30% of the money goes to the Conservative Movement in Israel. It is small, and as a result has trouble getting government and other funding. Therefore, they rely on our generous donations each year to run the programs necessary to keep the movement running.
- 30% of the money goes to scholarships for USYers in our region to go on USY sponsored summer trips to Israel, Europe and across North America. This money is very beneficial for USYers who wish to go on these trips but cannot afford to do so on their own.
- 40% of the money is allocated by YOU, the USY member to many charities around the world. These include Veahavta (an organization that donated food and warm clothing to the homeless on the streets of Toronto), JNF (Jewish National Fund) to plant trees on USYÕs hill and Tikvah programs of Camp Ramah which is a special program for children with disabilities in the Camp Ramah setting.
What is the 613 Mitzvah Corps?
This is the SA/TO club within USY. To join for a year, all you have to do is make a donation of $6.13 to Tikkun Olam (or $61.30 to become a lifetime member), and Bingo, you are a member! By becoming a member you set a Dugmah (example) of giving Tzedakka that others will follow, and you perform a very important Mitzvah. As a bonus, you will receive the International USY newsletter entitled "Eit Laasot" (Time to Do) with info about the coolest SA/TO programs around. If all of that wasn't enough, you will be able to participate in ECRUSY's specialty Kinnus and special 613 programs at conventions.
Where do I go for program ideas or if I have any more questions?
The program banks on the International USY (www.usy.org) and ECRUSY (www.ecrusy.org) sites are great places to search for program ideas for you and your chapter. In addition, the regional SA/TO committee is always interested and available to answer any other questions you may have.
27 Things You (and your family) can do to Stop Global Warming
be Emma Pascoe ECRUSY SA/TO REB 2009-2010
86 Ways That You Can Change the World (One step at a time...)
by Hava Goldberg, SA/TO RGB 2002-2003, and Elise Loterman
Copyright 2006 Shoshana Wasser, ecrusy.org
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