Social Justice

The core of Solel’s identity has always been defined by social justice.  We have many groups working on issues involving Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and Tzedakah (justice) including PADs, the Congregational Blood Drive, and Just Congregations. 

The children in our Religious School learn about and work on projects about Tikkun Olam on an ongoing basis.  In January, our confirmation class students will visit the Religious Action Center (RAC) in Washington D.C. with Rabbi Moffic and Geoffrey Prass.  During this exciting experience, the students will learn with both Jewish and non-Jewish leaders about the legislative process through the lens of Jewish values and social justice. They will also have the opportunity to visit the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and other Washington museums and landmarks.

If you are interested in participating in the important social justice work being done by any of Solel’s social justice committees, contact Judy Reist, Program Coordinator.

Fast Facts About Blood Donation (from the American Red Cross) 1. Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. 2. More than 38,000 blood donations are needed every day. The number of blood donations collected in the U.S. in a year: 15 million (2001); the number of blood donors in the U.S. in a year: 8 million (2001). 3. 4.9 million patients receive blood in the US each year and a total of 14 million transfusions are in a given year (2001). 4. The demand for blood transfusions is growing faster than donations. Shortages of all blood types usually occur during the summer and winter holidays. 5. Less than 38% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood. 6. Blood cannot be manufactured — it can only come from generous donors. 7. Donating blood is a safe process. A sterile needle is used only once for each donor and then discarded. 8. Blood donation is a simple four-step process: registration and medical history, mini-physical, donation, and refreshments. The actual blood donation typically takes less than 10-12 minutes. The entire process, from the time you arrive to the time you leave, takes about an hour. 9. The average adult has about 10 to 12 pints of blood in his body. Roughly 1 pint is given during a donation. 10. All donated blood is tested for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, syphilis and other infectious diseases, before it can be released to hospitals.

Fast Facts about the Flu Vaccine (From WebMD) 1. The best time to get a flu shot is October or November, because the flu season may last from as early as October to as late as May. 2. The flu vaccine takes up to 2 weeks to take full effect. 3. The flu shot works by helping your body develop antibodies to protect you against the flu. Each year the seasonal flu vaccine contains several different strains of the flu, which researchers think are most likely to show up that year. When the correct strains are chosen the flu vaccine is as much as 90% effective. 4. The following individuals should receive flu shots: - All children 6 months to 18 years old - People 50 years or older - Women who will be pregnant during the flu season - People who live in nursing homes - Adults with chronic heart or lung conditions, including asthma, or with any condition that weakens the immune system - Household contacts and caregivers of any children younger than 6 months of age (these children are too young to receive the flu vaccine) - Any person in close contact with someone in a high-risk group, such as health care workers and household contacts 5. The following individuals should NOT receive flu shots: - Anyone who has had an allergic reaction to a flu shot in the past - Anyone with an egg allergy - Anyone who has previously developed Guillain-Barre syndrome within 6 weeks of getting a flu shot