“Your beliefs become your thoughts,
Your thoughts become your words,
Your words become your actions,
Your actions become your habits,
Your habits become your values,
Your values become your destiny.”
― Gandhi
Ghandi’s words can often lead us to examine our failures in all of these areas. That was not Ghandi’s intent. He wanted us to consider how much good can be done when we proactively seek to build a better world, starting with the way we think!
As we come to the end of the calendar year, we need to take Ghandi’s words to heart. We need to see clearly that we best create change when we are proactively working for justice. We start with a vision of the justice and coexistence we want to see. Then we put words to our vision, and act on it so that it becomes our destiny.
Won’t you join us as we think, speak, and act for justice in 2019?
At the Stan Greenspon Center, the concepts of affordable housing, immigrant justice, and criminal justice are not mere words, we are acting on them so that they reflect our community’s values. In 2017 and 2018, our work expanded affordable housing for those who earn the least in our city. Our actions expanded justice for those who are first time offenders and who our minors. Our advocacy changed policy enabling immigrants in our city to feel safer.
At the Stan Greenspon Center, countering hate and creating an inclusive community is not a mere thought, it is a habit we are trying to instill in our students of every age and stage. In 2017 and 2018, we offered community courses on the Hebrew Bible and New Testament to deepen understanding of difference. We offered programs on ethical speech, participatory democracy, and the tools for social change to explore how voices, votes, and engagement can move our country forward. In 2017 and 2018, we offered workshops for hundreds of teachers and educational programs for thousands of students on what it takes to become one human family. In 2017 and 2018, we have responded to antisemitism and other forms of hate with actionable items – supporting principals, teachers, parents, and students in reacting.
Your actions become your destiny. Put the evening of January 24th on the calendar to help us finalize our social justice agenda 2019 and to pick your path for sharing your voice and vision.
Your actions become your destiny. Please consider a year end gift to support your voice and vision becoming a reality. As a social justice agency, we promise to make whatever donation you give go far. Our budget is modest but our actions are expansive.
May it be a good New Year. May we make it good new year for all.
To give a gift click here. Designations can be made to the Social Justice Initiative, the Stan Greenspon Center, Or L’Dor – A Light for Future Generations (Holocaust Education), or Jewish Life at Queens University.