Courtesy of Wise Temple.
Wise Temple volunteers following their day of service at Yellow Ribbon Support Center
Submitted by Wise Temple
Social action is more than a commitment at Wise Temple; it is part of the fabric of the congregation. Through acts of service in support of local non-profit organizations, congregants work together to make a meaningful difference for those in need in the community. It is through the dedication of our temple’s lay leaders that the congregation’s efforts in these areas are so impactful year after year.
One such leader is Wise Temple congregant and Social Action Committee Chair, Julie Kantor, who will be honored with the prestigious Women’s Empowerment Award by the Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ) on April 6th at the organization’s Social Justice Conference in Washington, D.C. Kantor is one of just twelve award recipients from North America and WRJ’s global partners. While Kantor describes herself as “humbled and grateful to receive this award,” her quiet determination and consistent effectiveness highlight the significant impact one person can have on the community.
“Julie Kantor is an outstanding leader who brings her skills and talents to serving the needs of others and to connect people to the value of service, community and volunteerism,” shares Wise Temple Senior Rabbi Lewis Kamrass. “Julie lives those values in her own life and inspires others with such connections to bring the value of tikkun olam into their lives. She leads by example, and we are fortunate to benefit from her leadership.”
In her role as Social Action Committee Chair, Kantor engages fellow congregants by helping them transform their personal passions into meaningful projects for the congregation. This year, for example, Social Action Committee member Judge Brad Greenberg connected Wise Temple to the Yellow Ribbon Support Center. Inspired by the legacy of local fallen soldier Matt Maupin, “this organization sends care packages to military individuals serving in harm’s way, offering a little bit of home comfort and letting them know we appreciate what they are doing for us,” explains Judge Greenberg. The organization’s mission was particularly meaningful for him. “I wanted to lead a social action activity that focused on either active-duty soldiers or veterans,” says Judge Greenberg, who, in his professional capacity, has presided over the Hamilton County Municipal Veterans Treatment Court since 2017. This weekly docket helps veterans address the issues that led them to face the criminal justice system. At the same time, Judge Greenberg’s personal life reflects his desire to support active-duty military, as his son, a recent West Point graduate, is now an Army Infantry Second Lieutenant. Led by Judge Greenberg, Wise Temple volunteers of all ages packed 40 boxes for the Yellow Ribbon Support Center, including snacks, health and beauty aids, DVDs and letters from Kehillah, Wise Temple’s religious school, to support the organization’s mission.
Having joined the Wise Temple community in July 2024, Senior Rabbi Successor Neil P.G. Hirsch has quickly come to recognize and appreciate the importance of social action in the identity of Wise Temple. “Our congregation has a long tradition of being engaged in our broader community. We have provided direct assistance to so many through our social action projects, and our civic engagement efforts have shown our commitment to tikkun olam and Jewish values,” Rabbi Hirsch notes. And under his leadership, Rabbi Hirsch is confident that the congregation’s social action efforts will continue “to make the world a touch more whole than it was the day before.”
From honoring the exceptional leadership of Julie Kantor, to the hands-on, compassionate work of congregants such as Judge Brad Greenberg and hundreds of dedicated volunteers each year, Wise Temple’s mission is clear: to extend hope, care and support to every corner of our community. As Kantor explains, Wise Temple works hard to “bring our congregants a variety of volunteer opportunities to help people in the community feel like they matter and feel like they count. I am proud of our Social Action team and those at Wise Temple who come together to put goodness and kindness out in a community that needs it most.”
