Central in Action
Central in Action
For more than 180 years, Central Synagogue has worked to make New York City and State a more just and equitable place for all of its residents. Through direct service, donation, and advocacy efforts, we have worked toward a New York in which all people can thrive.
Today, our Central in Action Leadership Team, together with Central Clergy and staff, coordinates our social justice work with a focus on creating real change in our communities through advocating at the state level. Central in Action explores the Jewish roots of social justice work and raises key questions that help guide and enrich our efforts to repair the world and understand the idea of “justice” in the Jewish tradition.
In 2016, members of our leadership team consulted with more than 500 Central congregants to learn about the issues in New York which most impacted and troubled our members. Overwhelmingly, our congregation asked us to focus on issues of racial justice, criminal justice, education, and immigration. Since then, we have worked in coalition with activists, advocates, and congregations from around New York to effect change in our state.
Our Current Work
Healthy New York
Healthy New York is a multi-faceted initiative to raise our individual and collective voices in favor of legislation, policies, and programs that create and nurture healthy, safe, and thriving New York communities.
Through our research and relationships with our nonprofit and interfaith partners, we will focus on advocacy campaigns that will go far toward building a healthier and safer community for our congregants and all New Yorkers. Campaigns that will be part of Central in Action's Healthy New York initiative include Clean Slate; RAC NY’s Climate Covenant; Fair Pay for Home Care; and Healthy Minds, Healthy Kids.
The Central Welcome Project
In response to the global refugee crisis, Central has partnered with HIAS for the Central Welcome Project (CWP)—an initiative to support a family seeking refuge in New York City.
Want to get involved? Here are a few ways you can help:
- Send a Gift: Help us furnish an apartment for the family with new items from the CWP's Amazon wish list. Please select 'Central Welcome Project's Gift Registry Address' under 'Other Addresses' when choosing the shipping address for your item(s).
- Donate Lightly-Used Furniture and Clothing: Let us know what you're looking to donate.
- Stay in Touch: Connect with us at [email protected] if you're interested in learning more.
Criminal Justice Reform and #LessIsMoreNY
We are proud to stand with #LessIsMoreNY to reform the parole system in our state. Some of the highest rates of COVID-19 have been in jails and prisons across the country. New York is no exception. Today, there are thousands of vulnerable New Yorkers behind bars, hundreds for non-criminal violations of parole. New York reincarcerates more people on parole for technical violations like missing an appointment with a parole officer, being late for curfew, or testing positive for alcohol than any state in the country except Illinois.
Continuing the Work in Criminal Justice Reform During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Central sees our work in criminal justice reform as part of our commitment to ending systemic racism in our country. We have continued to engage in advocacy work on this issue during the pandemic. In March, 2020 Central Synagogue asked Governor Cuomo to release those incarcerated under technical parole violations, or near the end of their sentences, given the high rates of infection during the pandemic. Click here to read the full statement.
Meet Some of Our Partners
- Ending Mass Incarceration NY
- Exodus Transtional Community Inc.
- Trinity Church Wall Street and the Faith Communities for Just Reentry Campaign
- Jewish Community Relations Council New York (JCRC-NY)
- The Religious Action Center, New York (RAC NY)
Hunger and Food Insecurity
The economic challenges presented by COVID-19 have only heightened the sense of urgency around addressing food insecurity in our city. In January 2021 we began a campaign focused on food insecurity in New York and are now working with several organizations as well as conducting our own research into issues of hunger and food insecurity so that we can effectively push state and local officials on hunger related policies. You can view our Hunger and Food Insecurity Town Hall event here.
Meet Some of Our Partners
Some of Our Previous Work
Turn on the TAP NY campaign to reinstate New York’s Tuition Assistance Program for men and women earning college degrees while incarcerated.
Bail Reform Campaign to eliminate cash bail (which disproportionately restricts the liberty of those without the ability to pay), decrease the number of pre-trial detainees, and ensure robust due process for all.
Raise the Age NY Campaign to raise the presumptive age of criminal responsibility in New York and advocate for justice, support, resources for youth in our carceral system.
Learn More
Curious to know more about Central in Action? Read our FAQs here.
In Case You Missed It
Couldn’t make a recent lecture or special event? Check out our YouTube archive here.
