Our Social Action Committee’s Domestic Civil Liberties group stands up for American democratic values as inspired by Jewish tradition.
This group is focused on voting protections, LGBTQIA+ inclusion and rights, racial and socio-economic justice, gun safety, reproductive rights and other emerging issues.
If you’d like to get involved, please reach out! For any questions, contact Rabbi Samantha Natov at (212) 877-4050, ext. 244 or socialjustice@swfs.org.
With an eye on both local and national legislation, this sub-group is focused on addressing critical issues in this area, which include laws and practices which suppress, discourage, or otherwise challenge the democratic right to vote. Through partnerships with community members working to build grassroots power, we are working to educate our community on these issues, to engage in voter engagement, and to work in coalition with other grassroots organizations to drive policy forward.
Building on our deep ties the civil rights movement, we continue to purse to racial and socioeconomic justice and advocate for equality in all facets of society.
Our LGBTQ+ group, working under the auspices of the Domestic Civil Liberties Task Force, seeks to engage our community in LGBTQ+ issues and make our community, country and world a better and more inclusive place.
We are committed to driving forward progressive legislation so that women can make choices about their own bodies. We are currently researching legislation through regular meetings and by working with grassroots organizations like Planned Parenthood of New York City. We are also working to forge coalitions with groups on the Upper West Side as well as throughout the five boroughs to create a strong and unified front for New York City reproductive rights.
In response to recent gun-related tragedies, this sub-group has responded by creating education and advocacy opportunities.
This sub-group ensures that Stephen Wise responds to issues of injustice as they arise.
Upcoming Social Justice Events
Meet Rabbi Sam Natov
Rabbi Samantha Natov grew up in Dundas, Ontario. She holds a bachelor’s from McGill University and a master’s in musicology and ethnomusicology from the University of Virginia. Following her time as a cantorial soloist in Toronto, Rabbi Natov came to New York to earn her degree in sacred music from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. After working as a cantor at congregations in New Jersey and Brooklyn, she decided to become a rabbi. Rabbi Natov was ordained by HUC-JIR in 2015 and joined Stephen Wise Free Synagogue a few months later in July 2015.
As associate rabbi at Stephen Wise, she oversees the congregation’s adult education programming and social justice work.
