Health Care

Our mission

To provide a Jewish voice for congregational and community education and advocacy. To promote universal access to quality health care, equitably and without discrimination.

What we believe

Jewish values teach us that taking care of the community is important. In keeping with the Jewish values of tikkun olam (repairing the world) and tzedek (justice) - because one’s health has a significant impact on quality of life - we believe that everyone should have access to affordable, quality health care. Our view of health is holistic, comprising mental, physical, and dental health.

As a member of the Reform Jewish Movement, Temple Beth Am is strongly guided by the principles and policies of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). With regard to health care in particular, Temple Beth Am is guided by the 1993 URJ Resolution on Reform of the Health Care System and the commitment of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC) to actions in support of this policy. For information, see the RAC Urgency of Now Resource Center.

In March 2015, the Temple Beth Am Board of Directors approved a Resolution for Equality in Health Care for all Residents of Washington State, which also guides our work.

Organizations we engage with

Committee members are actively involved with organizations that further our mission. Locally, we participate in the Health Care Is a Human Right Washington campaign, the Healthy Washington Coalition and the Faith Action Network's Network of Advocating Faith Communities(NAFC), which comprises more than 100 communities across Washington. We coordinate closely with Northwest Health Law Advocates, a non-profit organization that promotes health care access in Washington.