By 2007, Israel has the largest increase of needy people per capita in the western world. As a result of this social crisis, the voices of the citizens of Israel are rising in protest. Handicapped activists, for example, protested in front of the Knesset for four months; students went on strike over the rise in tuition, and protests were held to fight against the cutbacks in social security stipends for the elderly.

Yet, throughout the pandemonium none of these activists expressed the need for change according to the morals and values of the 3,000 year old tradition that Judaism provides. Not one party involved made claims based on Jewish sources that connect the Jewish state of Israel to Judaism’s approach on how one should be treating his fellow man. This lack of information is not just unfortunate, but unacceptable considering Judaism’s extensive focus on social issues. Examples of social justice can be found throughout Torah and Jewish texts. It is sources such as these that our Torah leaders have accepted as the basis for complex Halachic cases regarding the responsibilities of today’s Jewish community in the defense of the needy living amongst us.

If one were to poll the Jewish world on what the concept of a “Jewish State” signifies to them, many likely would say a strong attitude towards Jewish holidays, keeping the Sabbath and the study of Torah. Far too few would instantly say that a “Jewish State” to them also means a place where basic moral obligations amongst its citizens and its officials, are kept. We at Bema’aglei Tzedek believe that through our efforts this outlook can be changed.

The overwhelming response to Bema'agalei Tzedek’s activities and the extensive media coverage that we have received indicates that Israeli society is in dire need of the services that an organization like us provides. At Bema’aglei Tzedek our aim is to inform both religious and secular Jews of the clear need for more action emphasizing internal issues and social concerns on a national scale. We believe that a high level of social awareness is an important tool that will create significant change in the everyday social reality of the Jewish State of Israel.

Perhaps through these efforts, Bema’aglei Tzedek and people like you can begin the unification of our presently fragmented society.