9 Core Jewish Values

Trustworthiness- EMUNAH  Be honest • Don’t deceive, cheat or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends and countryDo not bear false witness against your neighbor. (Exodus/Shemot 20:17)

Respect-KAVOD  Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements Honor your father and mother that you may long endure on the land that Adonai your God has assigned to you. (Exodus/Shemot 20:12) 

Responsibility- ACHRAYUT  Do what you are supposed to do • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your choices If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when? (Hillel, Pirkei Avot)

Fairness- TZEDEK  Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don’t take advantage of others • Don’t blame others carelessly Justice, justice you shall pursue. (Deuteronomy/Devorim 16:20) 

Caring- CHESED  Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need Love your neighbor as yourself. (Leviticus/Vayikra 19:18) 

Community- KEHILLAH  Show Respect • Do your share to make your community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment Do not separate yourself from the community. (Mishna, Sanhedrin 2:5) 

Kindness/Warmth/Positivity- SEVER PANIM YAFOT  Smile, and the world smiles back at you! • It is the demeanor of how you should do something • Put on a smiley face when you do things• Optimism • Don’t give up • Believing in yourself and your abilities • Thinking of others • We respect all Jews and all peoples and greet every human being with sever panim yafot - a warm, cheerful and pleasant countenance. (Pirkei Avot 1:15) 

Role Modeling-DUGMA EESHEET  Be consistent in your teachings • Set a good example • Model positive choice-making • Apologize and admit mistakes • Stay true to your word, don’t be hypocritical • Never ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself 

Keepers of the Earth-SHOMREI ADAMAH  In the Torah, God instructs us that the earth is God’s - not ours, and that we are to tend it. • Keeping in mind the future, we must be excellent stewards of the Earth• Build a connection between the land and our everyday lives • Garner an appreciation of the Earth’s resources, to prevent us from taking those resources for granted.