Committee on Public Policy and Social Action

The Committee on Public Policy and Social Action serves as a resource for formulating United Synagogue policy and programming in the area of social action. The Committee has a continuing interest in domestic issues and in Jews in vulnerable situations around the world. It spearheads our educational efforts and develops programmatic materials for the implementation of resolutions adopted at the Biennial Convention. The Committee also represents the United Synagogue in national Jewish umbrella organizations.

The Committee reviews positions relating to diverse issues such as Homelessness and Hunger, Reproductive Choice, Anti-Semitism, Health Care Reform, Domestic Violence, Cults and Missionaries and the Environment.

The United Synagogue participates in the preparation of the Jewish Public Policy Agenda, a guide to social action programming published by the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, of which the United Synagogue is a member. It is available upon request to affiliated congregations.

Israel-United States relations is an important issue for this Committee. Through the Jewish Council for Public Affairs and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the Committee joins with other organizations in voicing concerns and educating constituent congregations.

The Committee assists synagogue committees in developing programs in their congregations. It has begun publishing a series of pamphlets on timely issues, which include Jewish sources on each subject. The most recent pieces were "Judaism, Courtesy and Civility," "Judaism and Smoking," and a "Voter Registration Guide".

In addition, the Committee produces a newsletter entitled haMa'aseh, which provides programmatic suggestions on issues currently facing congregations and seeks to help implement resolutions passed by the organization.