Social Justice In The Workplace

Rather than worrying about whether something is kosher or not, it is important to worry about the condition in the workplace that provides that kosher food. Every restaurant in the United States has to be inspected by its local public health department. Every kosher restaurant has to be inspected for its level of kashrut. While these inspections are taking place, many people forget how important it is to enact social justice in these workplaces. The Torah says, “Don’t not afflict people who do not have power in society.” The workers in these kosher restaurants are given little opportunity to fight for justice and equality in the workforce.
The Jewish Nation is given Mitzvot, or laws, that fall under two categories: bein adam lamakom, between
man and god, and bein adam lechavero, between man and his fellow man. ‘If you really mend your ways and your actions; if you execute justice between one man and another; if you do not oppress the stranger, the orphan, and the widow (Jeremiah 7:5-6).’ Uri L’Tzedek is built upon the concept of the relationship between man and his fellow man.
Uri L’Tzedek (UL), meaning awaken to justice, was founded by the fundamental concept of justice.
It was created to inspire the Orthodox community to enact social justice. It was founded to combat the injustices of society through the principals of the Torah. In 2007, Uri L’Tzedek was founded by Dr. Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz and Rabbi Ari Hart. During the first few years, they started multiple social justice Batei Midrashim, or houses of learning, where groups of people could come together and discuss issues in the community ranging from workers’ rights to domestic violence. They would bring in scholars, both Jewish and non-Jewish, who were experts in the given field of the issue at hand. Each social justice Beit Midrash would end with a call of action. Around this time, the New York Times criticized the government for indecency in kosher workplaces. As a response, Uri L’Tzedek started an online petition to hold people accountable and to create the beginning of a movement where people would create
change.
Uri L’Tzedek is an Orthodox organization dedicated to combating suffering and oppression. Through its commitment to Torah and Halakha, UL seeks to abide by the fundamental rules of traditional text. The organization operates under three pillars to execute their mission: Education, Leadership Development, and Action. The mission and work of UL is to fulfill the vision of creating a more just world. For five consecutive years, Uri L’Tzedek was feature of the Slingshot Guide, being one of the 50 most innovative Jewish non-profit organizations.
Education is a very big part of Uri L’Tzedek, being one of the main pillars on which it functions.
The Social Justice Beit Midrash Program brings together many people of different Jewish and non-Jewish backgrounds and education including educator, scholars, and activists. This program was created to incorporate different traditional Jewish texts into modern-day social needs. The topic addressed in the Beit Midrash include: health care, immigration, gun control, fighting poverty, and other social justice issues. In addition to the Beit Midrash, UL publishes a series of works which tie Jewish lives to secular lives including Uri L’Tzedek Food & Justice Haggadah Supplement to add the topic of social justice to the Pesach Seder and Mah Ani: Self Reflection and Social Action for the High
Holidays.
Leadership Development is another main pillar of Uri L’Tzedek. Build upon the education pillar, UL has created fellowships to train adults to become community organizers, social entrepreneurs, and agents of change. The Uri L’Tzedek Summer Fellowship gives eleven leaders the opportunity to learn about social justice in the Torah, and attend workshops on community organizing and leadership development for six weeks. The members of this fellowship split up to work on different projects including Tav HaYosher, the Jewish ethical seal placed on restaurants.
The AMOS Fellowship, which takes place over a full semester, provides motivated Orthodox college students with an opportunity to take on leadership roles in social justice campaigns by gathering people and taking control of certain campaigns. The fellowship also teaches those leaders the connection between social justice and traditional Jewish text and helps them develop the skills necessary to be a non-profit leader. The individuals are given the options of leading campaigns such as The Tav Hayosher, Prison Reform Campaign, Domestic Violence Campaign, Micro-Finance Campaign, and Flaum Campaign. It is crucial that every participant of the fellowship receives a proper education on topics including organizational development, fundraising methods, social media tactics, and writing about issues.
The third pillar of the organization is action. In the United States, an outrageous amount of workers are paid far below minimum wage and work excessive hours to support themselves and their families. Many are denied the opportunity to work overtime and take time off. Some workplaces offer dangerous and abusive working environments. In New York City, 35 percent of workers are harassed, 60 percent are denied overtime, 15 percent are working below minimum wage. Uri L’Tzedek’s advocacy has worked to combat these conditions in the workplace.
Uri L’Tzedek founded a grassroots movement known as Tav HaYosher to bring workers, restaurant owners, and the community together to create a just workplace in kosher restaurants. It is an ethical seal awarded to kosher restaurants that promote worker rights and abide by federal and state laws. A grassroots movement, while giving people in a local area, a foundation for social justice as well as political and economic change.