With so much that is broken and in need of healing in the world today, West End Synagogue members engage in the work of helping to repair what is broken through numerous social action projects. These projects have been community-wide as well as home-based or initiated by small groups.

WES also partners with other Jewish and faith-based organizations to have a wider reach and impact. Recent partnerships have included:

• West Side Campaign Against Hunger (WSCAH): Donations from WES members allow WSCAH to purchase turkeys and other healthy foods in November and distribute them to those in need.
  To contribute to this campaign in 2024, please visit: WSCAH Healthy Foods Holiday Challenge
• Syrian Supper Club: Groups of WES members enjoyed dinner at a member’s home cooked by a Syrian refugee family. These dinners exposed us to new and delicious foods as well as valuable interactions between WES members and Syrian refugee families.
• Synagogue Coalition on the Refugee and Immigrant Crisis (SCRIC): In 2016, WES was one of the founding synagogues of SCRIC. SCRIC now includes 29 synagogues and six non-profits organizations. Its mission is to provide information, support, and resources to refugees and immigrants, to educate our own communities, and to plan joint actions with other groups and institutions.
• HIAS: WES members donated clothing and household items to an Afghan refugee family who relocated to an apartment in Queens.

WES is also committed to protecting the environment. Our synagogue uses recyclable, reusable, and compostable flatware and utensils whenever possible. WES is committed to supporting the purchase of Fair Trade coffee and sweets for holiday celebrations. And of course, our Earth Day Shabbat helps us to consider our role as stewards of our environment, both local and global.

WES has offered, and continues to offer, many opportunities to engage in the work of tikkun olam. Please contact the Social Action Committee co-chairs to learn how you can get involved.