Tikkun Olam in Action

“If a person sits in their home and says to themselves,
‘What have the affairs of society to do with me?... Why
Should I trouble myself with the people’s voices of
protest? Let my soul dwell in peace!‘ - If one does this,
they overthrow the world.”
(Midrash Tanhuma, Mishpatim 2:1)

Before President Obama’s first campaign, we were politically aware but not deeply involved—our engagement mostly took the form of conversations with our husbands, children, and friends. But when Barack Obama ran for president, something shifted. We felt called to action: donating to his campaign, spending weekends canvassing, and connecting with voters. That experience sparked a deep passion for civic engagement and the transformative power of grassroots advocacy.

We continued that commitment in 2012, working to ensure President Obama’s re-election and always emphasizing the power and responsibility of voting. That momentum never left us; it's what fuels our work today.  

By 2022, Simona had retired and was deeply engaged with her temple’s sisterhood. When she saw a notice for a Civil Rights Journey (CRJ) with Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ), she signed up without hesitation, drawn by a desire to learn, reflect, and act. At the same time, Liz, then serving as WRJ’s Central District President, saw the announcement and felt that same pull. We both answered the call—and that’s where our paths crossed for the first time.

That journey reignited our shared commitment to tikkun olam, the sacred responsibility to repair the world, and affirmed a powerful truth: advocacy isn’t static; it evolves with us. It’s not always loud or linear; sometimes it’s quiet, personal, and rooted in presence. Through Women of Temple Israel, Women of Wise, and WRJ, we found a renewed sense of purpose and a community that uplifts, empowers, and answers the call of hineni (“Here I am” in Hebrew) — ready to show up, speak out, and stand together. We are deeply grateful to walk this path alongside such courageous, inspiring women.

What we witnessed and learned on the Civil Rights Journey deepened our conviction that voting rights advocacy is not optional; it’s essential. We stood on sacred ground, visiting museums, memorials, and historic sites that bore witness to the brutal legacy of segregation and the systemic oppression of our Black brothers and sisters. Each stop was a reminder that the fight for justice is far from over—and that we are called to carry it forward.

In Montgomery, Alabama, we visited the Rosa Parks Museum, a powerful tribute to a woman whose quiet courage changed history. Simona was already familiar with Rosa Parks as a Detroit native, but during the visit, she learned something that struck a deeper chord: one of the reasons Rosa refused to give up her seat was exhaustion — not of the body, but of the spirit. As Rosa famously said, “The only tired I was, was tired of giving in.” That moment reminded us that resistance can be both deeply personal and profoundly transformative.

In learning about Freedom Summer, also known as the Mississippi Summer Project, we were deeply moved by the courage and conviction of those who risked everything to expand access to the ballot box. This voter registration drive in the summer of 1964 was launched to increase the number of registered Black voters in Mississippi, where systemic racism and violent intimidation had long suppressed participation. Among the first volunteers to arrive on June 15, 1964, were Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman, two white Jewish students from New York, and James Chaney, a local Black activist. Their commitment to justice cost them their lives. The three men were murdered by members of the Ku Klux Klan — a brutal act that shocked the nation and ignited a wave of outrage that propelled the civil rights movement forward. Freedom Summer wasn’t just about registering voters — it was about challenging the very structures that denied Black Americans their rights.

Liz’s family shares a personal connection with the Schwerner family, and although she was only six years old at the time, she still vividly remembers the heartbreak surrounding their disappearance and the discovery of their bodies. That moment left an indelible mark, and, in their memory, Liz has remained deeply committed to civil rights, a calling that has shaped her path ever since.

As women who have spent years encouraging voter participation, we see Freedom Summer not as a distant chapter in history, but as a call to action that still echoes today.

When our WRJ group walked across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, we felt the weight of history beneath our feet. It was there, on March 7, 1965, that hundreds of Black Americans began a peaceful march to Montgomery in support of voting rights. They were met with brutal resistance by police, who unleashed tear gas, whips, and clubs on the marchers at the foot of the bridge. Fifty people were hospitalized; the media called it “Bloody Sunday.”

Standing on that bridge, we learned not only about violence but about courage. “Bloody Sunday” became a turning point in American history, galvanizing public support for racial equality and leading to the passage of the Voting Rights Act just five months later.

Walking in the footsteps of those brave souls reminded us that the fight for justice is never easy, but always necessary. Their legacy calls us to continue the work: to protect and expand access to the ballot box, and to ensure that every voice has the chance to be heard.

In the United States, every right we now cherish can be traced back to a vote. Whether it's our personal vote for candidates who reflect our values, the votes cast by legislators while shaping new laws, or the votes by judges at every level as they decide cases and establish legal precedent, voting plays a vital role in protecting and advancing our rights.

That’s why we created the Voting Rights Program in a Box — a thoughtfully curated set of resources designed to empower action. These tools are available for individuals and women’s groups as part of WRJ’s Day of Action on April 12, 2026, and will continue to support our advocacy well beyond that day.

WRJ’s legacy in advocacy started with getting women the right to vote. With this toolkit, you too can continue this legacy of advocating for voting rights.