Caring Cooperative July 24 Documents

CJC Caring Cooperative

Working Discussion

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

6:30 pm – 8:00 pm 

Oakland Mills Interfaith Center 

Room 400

Zoom https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85250774442 

 

Agenda

Meeting Purpose:  Identify current CJC caring activity impact and resource requirements in order to inform updated planning efforts.

 

Time	Topic	Person(s)
6:30 – 6:35	Arrival – select a dessert at your table	Team greets at door
6:35 – 6:45	Welcome and Recap of June 20 meeting Jewish Text reading	Rabbi Michael via Zoom
6:45 – 6:50	Charge for meeting	Sabrina Matoff-Stepp
6:50 – 7:10	Large Group work- identify current caring activities	Sabrina Matoff-Stepp (Facilitator)
7:10- 7:25	Small Group work – organize subset of current activities in Action Priority Matrix	Small Groups Select notetaker and reporter
7:25 – 7:55	Report outs and Discussion	Sabrina Matoff-Stepp (Facilitator)
7:55  – 8:00	Rabbi remarks Next Steps Adjourn	Rabbi Michael Alex Ross

 

 

July 24, 2024

 

CJC Caring Cooperative

 

Vision:  A deeply connected and uplifted community through our care for one another.

Mission:  The CJC Caring Cooperative recognizes the covenantal relationships we share as CJC members.  In support of these sacred relationships, we commit to hold space for and provide care to each other throughout the seasons of life. 

Olam hesed yibaneh – together, the CJC Caring Cooperative will co-create a world and a community of loving-kindness.

 

Values: 

Brit (Covenant)

The basis of all Jewish living is brit/covenant – the knowing that parties in relationship have obligations to one another. Jewish tradition reminds us of our commitments bein adam l’chavero – between one another. In this community, we are mutually responsible for one another. 

Ḥesed (loving-kindness)

Hesed – comes in many forms including reaching out in times of loss or hardship, delivering a meal, running an errand,  or extending a Shabbat invitation.  We all deserve caring action simply because we share the bonds of interpersonal connection. Sometimes we will need care and at other times we will be able to give care. Both caring for others and letting ourselves be cared for are part of what makes us fully human.

 

K’vod hab’riyot (Human dignity)

Created b’tzelem Elohim, in the image of Gd, we can see the spark of the divine in each other. In recognizing that each human face is, in part, a face of the divine, we recognize that every person has infinite worth. We are bound to honor the worth, dignity and sacred spark of each human being and to act in ways consistent with that honor. 

Kehila (Commitment to community)

We can only realize ourselves fully in relationship to others and that being in community is a sacred part of our Jewish identity. We strive to be co-creators of a community that fully embraces and serves each of its members regardless of ability, age, race, sexual orientation, family status, political affiliation and level of knowledge.  We know that this makes us all stronger. 

Darkhey shalom (Paths of peace)

We strive to heal our little corner of a world rife with tension and conflict. We will use our emotional, spiritual, cognitive and physical energy to work together to generate peace, healing and joy whenever and wherever possible. 

Klal Yisrael (Unity and survival of the Jewish people) – 

We coalesce around our Jewish (and Jew-ish) identities – recognizing that we are responsible for each other regardless of differences in knowledge and practice, and that since the days of Abraham and Sarah, we have needed each other not only for our own well-being and growth but to make the world a better place.

Raḥmanut (Compassion/Mercy)

The Hebrew root of the word raḥmanut is reḥem, womb, which implies a deep holding and an abiding safety. Empathy for those who are struggling reminds us of the importance of holding one another carefully and creating safe spaces for one another. It is not enough to simply feel rahmanut – we must allow it to propel us into compassionate action for others and for ourselves.