Social Action Committee projects include collecting donations for the Food Bank, making hats for the homeless and other volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Watch for information in our weekly newsletter to members.

Anti-Racist Pledge

Congregation Beth Israel, centered in Bellingham, Washington, stands with Jews all over the world in affirming the principles of equal justice and equal respect underlying the declaration that Black Lives Matter. Believing in the dignity of every individual, we deplore the structural racism that has denied people of color the rights and opportunities enjoyed by their fellow citizens. We strongly support the Constitutional right to peaceful assembly and condemn all forms of violence against peaceful protestors.

Our Bible and our sages, our liturgy and our vision of a just society, teach us the value of every human being. The centuries of defamation and oppression Jews have suffered help us understand the suffering people of color have endured in the United States from the founding of our country to the present day.

Those of us who are white Americans may have wittingly or unwittingly contributed to that suffering. We will work to eradicate any traces of racism in our lives as a congregation and as individuals, and will take any steps within our power to promote the equality our founding documents proclaim as the right of all people.

— Approved by CBI Board of Directors, Nov. 10, 2020

Fighting Hate Together July 2023

Congregation Beth Israel’s Social Action Committee hosted One Whatcom’s Fighting Hate Together event, on  on July 29, 2023, at the synagogue. The countywide anti-racism event included collaboration with the Chardi Kala Project, BetterTogether Lynden and Connect Ferndale. These anti-racist groups wanted to honor Holocaust survivor Noemi Ban (z’l) and also offer support to our Jewish community in the face of rising anti-semitism, by making connections, creating and deepening friendships between our organizations, sharing a meal and coming together to fight hate crimes. Here is an article about the event, published in the Salish Current:

One Whatcom forms local network to counter violence and racial intolerance

Pride Parade July 2023