Social Justice

Social Justice is a core value of Judaism and of the CJL. The CJL believes we have responsibility to make the world a better place and have several programs designed to help students become an active participant in that process at Princeton. Below you will find two of our major Social Justice programs and you can also find more information on our Resources page. If you have questions, or would like more information, please contact us at hillel@princeton.edu.

This year, the CJL is making a special effort to highlight the importance of social justice and tikkun olam ("repairing the world").  To this end, we have established a Social Justice/Social Action Committee chaired by Liron Noiman and Sarabeth Sanders.  This Committee both oversees long-term social justice planning and organizes specific events.

There are all kinds of ways to get involved with social justice at the CJL.  Every Friday afternoon, we have a "Pre-Shabbat Game," which allows students to help stock a local food pantry or to deepen our ongoing relationship with a local retirement community or the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. 

Alternative Spring Break (ASB) - Uruguay. West Virginia. The Gulf Coast. These are some of the places the CJL has gone on Alternative Spring Break, an opportunity for Princeton students to spend their Spring Break helping a community outside of Princeton that is in need. From Hurricane Katrina relief, to working with Habitat for Humanity, to building a children’s playground, the CJL takes a group of students to a community, does service and also provides a Jewish ASB trip

Sign Up For Alternative Spring Break 2008!

The CJL will be traveling to New Orleans on March 16-23, 2008 to help with rebuilding efforts. This trip is open to ALL Princeton students! See our for Frequently Asked Questions

The deadline for registering is February 6, 2008, and the cost is under $100!   

For more information, please contact Rebecca Young at rebeccay@princeton.edu.

Jews for Social Justice aims to bring students together to talk (over a meal, of course!) about how Jewish texts and traditions interact with current social justice issues such as workers' rights, immigration, the just production of food and other aspects of tikkun olam (“healing of the world”). JSJ meets on a monthly basis to discuss a specific topic and also sponsors and co-sponsors events that promote dialogue on campus about social justice issues from a Jewish perspective, including human rights in the Middle East and in the United States. For more information or to get involved, please contact Stephanie Greenwood at sgreenwo@princeton.edu.