We are pleased to announce that the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism (CSA) has awarded Temple Emanuel with a 2019 Irving J. Fain Social Justice Award in recognition of Yearbook of the Fallen.

Yearbook of the Fallen
Click Here to view the Yearbook

The Temple Emanuel Confirmation Class of 2019 was recently profiled on NBC4 for their inspiring project, Yearbook of the Fallen, which memorializes high school students who were killed in school shootings during 2018. The students conceived of the idea to raise awareness of the scourge of gun violence in public schools and to advocate for sensible gun control to stop it. Their goal is to publish 535 copies of the yearbook and distribute them to lawmakers in the United States who are responsible for creating laws to protect the health and welfare of all U.S. citizens. Like the ancient prophets in our tradition who spoke truth to power in the pursuit of justice, our students are making their voices heard in the halls of power.

This ambitious project expresses each of the three pillars upon which our religious school stands: authenticity, creativity, and moral courage. The ancient text commanding us to not stand-by passively when we see our neighbors’ blood being shed (Leviticus 19:16) spoke to the class’s modern sensibilities. They immediately saw its relevance to their lives. Motivated by Jewish values, they developed an innovative response to gun violence and used their creativity to implement it. Finally, the students demonstrated the moral courage necessary to take the project beyond the four walls of the classroom for the greater good of the community. We’re extremely proud of the entire class: Jacob Dincin, Callie Newberg, Miriam Saletan, Eden Shane, Ethan Shroff, and Eva Stavisky. They bring honor upon themselves, their families, and our synagogue.

– Rabbi Mark H. Levine
Director of Congregational Learning