Since 1874, Temple Beth-El has been fighting for social justice and equality throughout the state of Texas and across the nation. As a founding member of the Union for American Hebrew Congregations, Temple has always taken great pride in social justice work and ethical practice. Whether through direct service or advocacy work, Temple Beth-El continues to create progressive social change and positive impacts for congregants, neighbors, and the community. 1897 to 1920: Rabbi Samuel Marks became active in civic activities across the state. 1923 to 1942: Rabbi Ephraim Frisch was a prominent activist who supported teaching evolution in schools, opposed the state poll tax, and advocated for workers’ rights. Rabbi Frisch would also criticize police raids and the arresting of labor protestors. 1942 to 1976: Rabbi David Jacobson chaired a San Antonio commission examining the city’s economic and social issues. Rabbi Jacobson became a persistent advocate of racial desegregation throughout the city. 1976 to 2002: Rabbi Samuel M. Stahl was deeply committed to enhancing interfaith relations. He is the first Jewish leader to receive religious leadership awards from the Texas Conference of Churches and the San Antonio Community of Churches. 2002 to 2013: Rabbi Barry Block was known for his interfaith advocacy and promotion of immigration and LGBT+ rights. 2009: Temple Beth-El received the Irving J. Fain Award for Social Action from the Religious Action Center for our “Darfur Calls” program. 2013: Temple Beth-El received the Irving J. Fain Award for Social Action from the Religious Action Center for our “Food & Fun Summer Day Camp” (now called CreativKids SA). Since 2014, Rabbi Mara Nathan has maintained Temple Beth-El as a contemporary and welcoming place of worship. Together with Rabbi Marina Yergin, Temple Beth-El remains one of the few Reform temples with all female clergy. Since 2017, Rabbi Marina Yergin has integrated community organizing and small group structures into our social action and social justice activities. We encourage lay leaders to learn about and engage with community issues they are passionate about. In 2018, Temple Beth-El created the position of Social Justice Fellow to amplify and further develop unique direct service activities, ongoing volunteer opportunities, and advocacy efforts. Our first Social Justice Fellow, Ross Halfant, has created many programs, including NEFESH, and developed family mitzvah days for our religious school families. In 2019, Temple Beth-El received the Union for Reform Judaism’s Belin Award for Audacious Hospitality for our NEFESH program. Additionally, Temple Beth-El joined the Religious Action Center Brit Olam – Covenant of the World. Later that year, Temple became the first and only Jewish organization to march in the San Antonio Pride Parade. In 2021, Temple Beth-El joined a pilot program called Act Against Antisemitism with the Union for Reform Judaism and the Anti-Defamation League. Through the cohort, Temple created a committee and programs to engage our community in this issue. Temple joined the program’s official launch the following year, renamed Kulanu. In 2022, Temple Beth-El will continue “green” initiatives by updating its recycling program, which includes paper, broken-down cardboard, and clean glass and cans. Temple also prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion by publishing and adding to the many ways we fulfill b’tzelem Elohim. Temple became a FeedSA Food Champion. Starting in 2023, Temple Beth-El, along with the San Antonio Jewish community, will volunteer at the San Antonio Food Bank on the second Thursday of every month.