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"Do not stand idly by while the blood of your fellow human being is being shed." 

~ Leviticus 19:16

Social Justice is at the heart of our congregation. This takes many forms, from our worship services to action in the community. Some examples include:

  • Helping to establish and support the first SRO housing in the South Loop for persons who are vulnerably housed or coming out of homelessness.
  • Inviting activists from across Chicago to talk about their work before Friday night services.
  • Participating in the Jewish Council on Urban Affairs work for immigrant rights, a trauma center for the south side, police accountability, and against Islamophobia.
  • Holding a Yom Kippur Yizkor service in Englewood recalling the names of victims of gun violence in Chicago.
  • Leading an interfaith Shabbat service in solidarity with Chicago’s Muslim community following the 2016 national elections.
  • Creating a welcoming space in which members and visitors can engage in open dialog about Israel-Palestine, and the moral challenge posed by the continued Occupation.
  • Including an hour for reflection on social justice during Yom Kippur.  We have had discussions of the death penalty, healthcare inequities, criminal justice reform, homelessness, and other pressing issues.

Makom believes that our actions must always reflect our words and our beliefs.  We will not stand idly by.