Submission #193 by Temple Emanuel Brotherhood - Newton, MA (719)

Submission information
David Greenfield's picture
Submitted by David Greenfield
Fri, 2013-03-01 14:39
108.7.217.227
I have read the General Guidelines and "Nuts and Bolts" Documents
Club Name
Temple Emanuel Brotherhood - Newton, MA (719)
Roots in Israel
Club Representative
Person completing form
David
Greenfield
Club President at time of Convention
Marc
Lowenthal
Club President Now
David
Beckman
Israel / Masorti

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The Roots in Israel mission is designed to strengthen our community’s connection to Israel and complement our shul rabbis’ Go to Israel directive. It does so by telling Israel’s story focusing on 'tikkun olam' contributions in humanitarian aid and its development of innovative technologies for universal benefit. These actions are shared with nations independent of their political positions vis a vis Israel. Rather than view Israel only through a lens of conflict as is currently common, Roots aims to swing the 'perception pendulum' back to a time of widespread celebration and support for the land and its people.
The mission will be accomplished using a multi-faceted approach:
The Roots in Israel logo/icon has a prominent position in the shul's weekly eNewsletter Update sent to the entire temple membership. Clicking links directly to our web site (http://www.templeemanuel.com/BrotherhoodRoots) prominently featuring a fresh, informative, and inspirational message detailing one of Israel’s achievements and/or societal accomplishments.
The web site is also a repository for the following:
- Photo Gallery documenting our activities,
- The Story Behind the Story of our logo/icon,
- Inspiration: Israel – a page for members to post personal narratives of meaningful experiences while in Israel,
- Boston Globe article profiling our program (http://www.templeemanuel.com/sites/default/files/images/Publications/20130224_BostonGlobe_RootsInIsrael.pdf).

Roots in Israel messaging is complemented by:
- Columns written for the Monthly Temple Bulletin,
- Periodic/regular Roots related postings on the temple’s unofficial listserve,
- Distribution of our Roots in Israel business cards. Supplies of these handy items displaying the web site and offering a QR code for direct web site linkage are prominently positioned in the shul’s Community Court at the entrance to the main sanctuary. They are handed out individually when Brotherhood members speak about Roots one on one with congregants.
- Events: During all Brotherhood sponsored programs, Roots is promoted both in introductory remarks by President Beckman or the designated Program Chair, and by a visual display (see Photo Gallery ). Our greatest visibility occurred during the official Roots launch at the Annual Temple-wide Kickoff Barbecue in September. Brotherhood was then out in force handing out Roots/JNF Blue Boxes, speaking one on one with members about the program, and also manning the grills.
- Tu B’Shevat Collection Week. Brotherhood members facilitated transfer of monies deposited in the Blue Boxes to JNF for counting and receipting. (http://www.templeemanuel.com/PhotoCorps_BrotherhoodRoots_2012). Our upcoming high visibility opportunities will be at Brotherhood Shabbat and Collection Week II which is timed to coincide with Yom HaAtzmaut.
- Distribution Jewish National Fund Blue Tzedakah Boxes to all congregants. These serve in the home as a constant reminder of our connection to Israel. A custom decal was produced to apply to each JNF Blue Box prior to distribution. These 'pushkes' help each family teach their children and grandchildren the importance of regularly depositing coins and bills in support of the Land of Israel. Accumulated contents of the boxes will be collected and transferred to JNF at strategic times during the year, e.g. Tu B’Shevat, Yom HaAtzma-ut and Yom HaZikaron.
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