Interfaith and Community Affairs
TBE is a member of GBIO, a broad-based organization which works to coalesce, train, and organize the communities of Greater Boston across all religious, racial, ethnic, class and neighborhood lines for the public good. GBIO’s primary goal is to develop local leadership and organized power to fight for social justice. As a GBIO member, TBE is working with other congregations in the area (Jewish, Christian and Muslim) to fight for social justice, work on issues of shared interest, and improve the world in which we all live. Newton Congregations is a group of congregations who are part of GBIO and other Newton congregations.
TBE Participates in GBIO Senate Accountability Action
Sunday, April 21, 7:00-9:00 pm -Temple Beth Elohim will participate in a Greater Boston Interfaith Organization reflection and prayer service with members of other area synagogues, churches, and mosques. Rabbi Saphire has been invited to join other local clergy in leading this gathering of solidarity. Our US Senatorial and Massachusetts State Senate special election candidates will be in attendance to share their own reflections on the events of the past week.
Details:
- Join Rabbi Sisenwine and Cantor Sufrin at 5:30 pm for reflection and song at TBE with other congregants prior to the GBIO gathering.
- A carpool will be leaving TBE at 6:00 pm. Contact Nicole Roos, (617) 584-3393 to make arrangements.
- Or, meet us at St. Mark Catholic Church in Dorcester (1725 Dorcester Avenue) where the event will begin at 7:00 pm.
Wellesley Interfaith Association
The Wellesley Interfaith Association is a representative group of members from Wellesley faith communities which gathers together monthly to support each other and encourage the diversity of expression found among us. Recognizing that honest differences of opinion do exist among us but believing that the community of Wellesley can be well served by our efforts together, we have committed ourselves to each other and to providing opportunities for the Wellesley community to worship together in ecumenical services whenever possible.
Contact: Margo Friedman (friedmanm@babson.edu) and Bud Schram (budschram@aol.com)
Weston-Wayland Interfaith Action Group
The mission of the Weston-Wayland Interfaith Action Group (WWIAG) is to build community by developing a better understanding, acceptance, and appreciation of our individual, cultural, and religious differences through education, dialogue and action.
Join us at the Annual Meeting and Potluck Supper on Thursday, June 14, 2012. View the flyer and learn more!
Contact: Laurie Kay (laurie.kay@comcast.net) and Laura Friedman
TBE Works for Social Justice! Increasing Affordable Housing
As a member of Newton Congregations/Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, TBE is encouraging its members from Newton to complete a brief on-line survey that will help the Newton Community Preservation Act (CPA) Committee set priorities for the distribution of the approximately $20 million which is estimated to become available in the next 5 years. The CPA, which provides state and local funds for affordable housing, historic resources, and open & recreational land, became a state law in 2000.
What you can do:
Complete the brief (8 questions) survey at www.newtonma.gov/cpa
You will be asked to list some Newton groups you work with or belong to. Please list Newton Congregations/Greater Boston Interfaith Organization* (GBIO) as one of your groups.
Please consider rating Affordable Housing as a high priority for these funds. This is one of the main issues Newton Congregations is working to develop and high response in this category would be helpful.
Question #8 offers a spot for suggestions. If you choose, you might like to consider something like this: “As a Newton citizen, I actively and whole-heartedly support expanding and increasing affordable housing in Newton. Affordable housing benefits both new and current residents of our city, and encourages economic diversity. This diversity strengthens our community by making it more attractive and vibrant.”
After completing the survey, please send an email to Nicole Roos at nroos19@yahoo.com. That way we can keep track of how many surveys are completed by TBE members.
Join the “TBE Rapid Response Team” for Affordable Health Care
As a member of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO), TBE is teaming up with members of other congregations to advocate for more affordable health care in MA. We are looking for people to join the TBE Rapid Response Team and make phone calls to their legislators. This is a quick and easy way to make a real difference. Training and information will be provided. Learn more.