Congregants Dale Russakoff and Shirley Grill are active participants in Social Action at Shomrei. Dale is the organizer of Shomrei’s Mensch Squad and chairs the Board of Family Promise. Shirley was one of the first board members of IHN and currently co-leads Shomrei’s Social Justice initiative to assist undocumented immigrants detained by ICE.

Dale Russakoff

In a couple of minutes, we’ll hear the Haftorah reading from Isaiah, declaring in no uncertain terms that, in God’s eyes, “fasting” does not mean merely starving our bodies. “No,” God thunders, “THIS is the fast I desire: to unlock the fetters of wickedness… to let the oppressed go free. . . . to share your bread with the hungry and to take the wretched poor into your home.. .. . Then when you call the Lord will answer. When you cry, he will say, “here I am.”

Shomrei offers us many ways to support our neighbors who are unhoused, hungry, poor and vulnerable. We invite you to be part of all of it.

As many of you know, Shomrei is being honored on Oct. 8 at the annual gala of Family Promise for our deep, continuous commitment to supporting homeless families with young children in Essex County. We were the first synagogue to join what began in 1988 as the Interfaith Hospitality Network – a “nonsectarian” response to homelessness. Nonsectarian, meaning all varieties of Christianity. Our rabbi at that time, Joshua Chasan, believed strongly that Jews should be included. I researched the story behind his commitment and it’s a perfect story to share on the occasion of this Haftarah reading.

Rabbi Chasan was a student at the Jewish Theological Seminary during a massive homelessness crisis in New York City. In the winter of 1983, with temperatures plunging below zero, homeless shelters were overflowing and people were literally freezing on the streets. Then-Mayor Ed Koch appealed to churches and synagogues to take them in. Many churches responded, but at the outset, no synagogues did – although they later embraced the work. In a major speech at a West Side synagogue, Mayor Koch, who was Jewish, expressed dismay that Jews were not involved. Rabbi Chasan and several classmates were so concerned that the next day, they turned the Jewish Chapel at JFK airport into a hosting congregation for New York’s homeless, who otherwise would have been on the streets. His wife Kathy told me that Rabbi Chasan decided then that whenever he had his own congregation, he would keep this commitment going. That congregation turned out to be us.

In 1988, the Interfaith Hospitality Network opened with a board made up of Christian clergy and one rabbi – Joshua Chasan of Shomrei Emunah. Joshua and Kathy Chasan organized and trained our congregants to begin hosting homeless families that year. The experience was so meaningful that the initial participants – including Shirley Grill and the late Hannah and David Aronson – kept the commitment to this organization alive for more than 30 years, leading to the special honor we will receive on Oct 8. More recently, Fern Heinig has been organizing congregants to purchase groceries for families in the group’s shelter program.. Rabbi Chasan changed his corner of the world through his empathy and compassion for those in need.

And that’s only one piece of Shomrei’s commitment to repairing the world. Shirley will take it from there.

Shirley Grill

Shomrei’s commitment to social justice took root with Family Promise, as Dale described, and continues through the passion and dedication of each generation. One person steps forward, others join, and a lasting path emerges. We are also teaching these values to our children: this year, teen discussions focused on Family Promise and immigration. L’dor v’dor—from generation to generation—the next generation is already carrying the work forward.

What have we done … what are we still doing … some examples …

Human Needs Pantry: Our work with the Human Needs Pantry through Project Isaiah carries a long legacy. Deanna London (now retired in Florida) was among the pantry’s first employees; 35 years ago, my son volunteered there for his Bar Mitzvah project; and today, Risa Bernstein serves on its board.

MESH: Shomrei embraced MESH early. Dan Nachman launched our effort around 2009 with Rabbi David Greenstein’s support, and Lynne Kurzweil and later joined the MESH board. She and Aileen Grossberg now lead Shomrei volunteers to cook one meal a month for dozens of homeless families. Fifteen years on, the work remains strong.

Immigration Committee: Under Andy Silver’s leadership, we welcomed Syrian refugees and an Afghan family. Now Sarah Cortes is courageously leading our response to ICE and immigrant detention.

These stories share one enduring truth: methods evolve, but commitment lasts. One person begins, and the Shomrei community carries the work forward.

This year, who will step forward to build on our Social Justice legacy of action?

When you do, Shomrei will stand beside you.