Rabbi Sydney Mintz, who grew up in a family that focused on change and social justice, is being celebrated as an “indefatigable pursuer of justice” for continuing that quest in her work at Congregation Emanu-El.
Bend the Arc, a progressive national Jewish organization committed to social justice issues, from criminal justice reform to domestic worker rights to voter rights, is honoring Mintz on March 31 at the Contemporary Jewish Museum in what is being billed as “an evening of inspiration, music, nosh and unparalleled schmoozing.’’
“I am a natural schmoozer, but what appeals to me most — besides the fact that the Contemporary Jewish Museum is such an inspirational place — is that the work of Bend the Arc is all about inspiration and aspiration and being around people who are changemakers,” she said. “Plus, they always throw a good party.”
Social justice issues have always mattered to Mintz, 49, whose upbringing in Chicago cultivated a culture of philanthropy and stressed a strong relationship with Israel. Mintz is on the national board of Bend the Arc, which has offices in San Francisco.
“The social justice movement in Israel is important to me, but I live here and I want to find contemporary ways of drawing Jews in,” she said. “Bend the Arc captures that, shows a way to make a difference, to express our values as American Jews with our love of Torah and Shabbos, and shows what we can do in partnership with others to change things that are wrong.”
Mintz, a self-styled comedian “with a captive audience every Friday,” has led Team Emanu-El in the AIDS Lifecycle Ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. An avid ocean swimmer, she also has participated in the Alcatraz Swim for Sight with congregants.
“Yes, it is cold out there — but I feel incredibly blessed that I have had this opportunity to be where a congregation is so open to different, creative, evocative and challenging ways to be Jewish and to be so involved in social justice issues,” Mintz said. “That’s kept me lively in my rabbinate.”
Mintz has served as a rabbi at Emanu-El since her ordination in 1997. She helped found the Late Shabbat Young Adult Program, which features a reception before the service and socializing after, held on the second Friday of each month. Over the last 17 years, Late Shabbat has grown to be the largest such program in the country, Mintz said.
“Late Shabbat started out as a simple idea, with maybe 25 people attending. Five years later, we had 1,000,” she said. Today, Emanu-El has 600 to 700 young adult members among its congregation of 2,200 and offers 75 programs each year for them.
“For me, that has been the most personally spiritually satisfying element in my rabbinate,” Mintz said. “A lot of the young adults who first came to Late Shabbat have gone on to be strong Jewish leaders in their own right, locally and nationally.”
Pursuing Justice Party, 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, March 31 at Contemporary Jewish Museum, 736 Mission St., S.F. Tickets start at $36. www.bendthearc.us/events/pursuing-justice-party-0