Tikkun Olam Monthly Report – January 2025

December was a quiet month for Tikkun Olam activities, with planning underway for programs in 2025. VP for Tikkun Olam Janet Strassman-Perlmutter met with Judy Sletzinger who is interested in joining Tikkun Olam as a representative of the Metrowest Free Medical Clinic as she considers how to revive Beth El’s connection with the clinic, now operating from Marlborough. Those interested in volunteering with the clinic should contact Judy.

CAST

CAST shared updates regarding antisemitism education at the American Heritage Museum in Hudson. Martin Brauer recently met with Carole Greenfield from Kerem Shalom at the museum:

• Kerem Shalom will provide some volunteer docents to join our group
• Carole also mentioned a Holocaust specialist and a survivor; she is enthusiastic about getting involved.

From Hunter Chaney, director of marketing at the museum:

• A video production to play inside the cattle car will soon be finalized and should be ready in January in time for International Holocaust Remembrance Day on January 27. It will be projected from the floor of the car to a screen at the rear, with speakers outside. Docents will be able to control the display, or it will run on a loop when no docents are present.
• The museum has reached agreement with the Illinois Holocaust Museum to license one (and possibly both) of the virtual reality (VR) survivor stories to be played on headsets in what’s now the adjacent storage room. The room will be set up shortly. Docents will control VR sessions for pre reserved groups and for individuals who sign up for a slot on the day. School groups typically visit between March and May.

The first Holocaust speaker presentation given by Cantor Wendy Siegel from Temple Emanuel in Marlboro. She previously participated with Cantor Vera at the cattle car induction ceremony last January.

Martin is exploring the mission and role of the Mass. Antisemitism Synagogue Taskforce (MAST.) It is a new group which grew out of the Mass. Synagogue Council, which has now disbanded.

Inclusion Committee

• Janet initiated a TO committee meeting on November 18, 2024. Maxine attended to represent Inclusion committee. The overall goal was to discuss a group response to current concerns as a result of the election on vulnerable populations. With hate speech on the rise, it was agreed that we might re-engage in ways to counter hate speech, that includes racism, antisemitism, ableism, etc.
• On December 12, Carrie and Maxine meet with the cantor and rabbi to discuss preliminary plans for JDAIM in February 2025. Further plans will be forthcoming.

Sanctuary Committee

The committee continues to work on planning our annual HIAS refugee weekend on Sunday, February 2 at Beth El from 2-4 pm. Some of our members will speak, and there will also be an artistic program. Details coming!

We’re also keeping a keen eye on the situation that immigrants and refugees in our country will be dealing with over the next few months, with a view to what we can all be doing to fulfil our obligations to them.