Editing Bruderhof Communities (section)

== Involvement in the wider community ==
The Bruderhof is actively involved in the neighborhoods that surround its communities<ref name="ppg1">{{cite news|url=http://old.post-gazette.com/regionstate/20000721crusade7.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813103405/http://old.post-gazette.com/regionstate/20000721crusade7.asp|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 August 2014|title=Bruderhof youth festival readied|date=July 21, 2000|work=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]]|last=Levin|first=Steve |access-date=September 21, 2013}}</ref> and in the world at large. The Bruderhof sees justice and the works of mercy as a gospel command.<ref name=":0" /> They foster many ecumenical relationships with other churches and denominations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://robertbuck.blog/2017/10/23/why-i-keep-talking-about-alternativity-the-bruderhof-and-church-of-all-nations/|title=Why I Keep Talking About…Alternativity, the Bruderhof, and Church of All Nations|date=October 23, 2017|work=Proximity|access-date=October 24, 2017}}</ref> For instance, in 2019 the Bruderhof collaborated with the Coptic church to commemorate the Coptic martyrs killed by ISIS.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetablet.co.uk/columnists/3/15609/lots-of-coptic-clergy-were-rubbing-shoulders-with-members-of-the-bruderhof|title=Lots of Coptic clergy were rubbing shoulders with members of the Bruderhof|website=The Tablet|access-date=March 15, 2019}}</ref> Members met the Pope in Rome in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/speeches/2004/june/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_20040626_bruderhof.html|title=To the members of the 'Bruderhof Communities' (June 26, 2004) {{!}} John Paul II|website=w2.vatican.va|access-date=April 13, 2019}}</ref>

Bruderhof members serve on school boards, volunteer at soup kitchens, prisons and hospitals, and work with local social service agencies such as the police to provide food and shelter for those in need of help. They are active supporters of various international aid organizations, such as [[Oxfam]], [[Save the Children]], [[Tearfund]], and [[World Vision International|World Vision]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bruderhof.com/en/reaching-out/common-causes|website=Bruderhof |title=Common Causes|access-date=November 19, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.6229539/k.523C/Strategic_Foundation_Partnerships.htm|website=Save the Children |title=Strategic Partners|access-date=November 19, 2016}}</ref>

The Bruderhof's Plough Publishing House publishes books and a magazine called ''Plough Quarterly''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://divinity.uchicago.edu/sightings/alien-citizens|title=Alien Citizens {{!}} The University of Chicago Divinity School|website=divinity.uchicago.edu|access-date=July 7, 2018}}</ref> ''Plough'' publishes spiritual classics, inspirational books, and children's books, some of which are available as free downloads.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.plough.com/en/about-us|website=Plough.com|title=About Us|access-date=May 1, 2013}}</ref> Some of the books are written by Bruderhof members, but others are not.

In response to the [[Columbine High School massacre]] in 1999, the Bruderhof and [[Steven McDonald|Detective Steven McDonald]] created a program of school assemblies that have now reached tens of thousands of youths in the United States and United Kingdom. Operating under the name "Breaking the Cycle", speakers with forgiveness stories speak to children at school assemblies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.breakingthecycle.com/about|title=About Breaking the Cycle, A project of the Bruderhof|website=www.breakingthecycle.com|access-date=January 20, 2020}}</ref>

The Bruderhof community has at various times campaigned on social issues, such as the [[death penalty]] and the [[Iraq War]]. They were involved in the campaign in opposition to the death sentence for the activist [[Mumia Abu-Jamal]], who was convicted in 1982 of murdering a Philadelphia police officer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/1995/november13/5td074.html|title=A Christian Community Makes Waves, Not War|last1=Tapia|first1=Andres|last2=Carrasco|first2=Rudy |work=[[Christianity Today]]|date=June 21, 2007|access-date=September 23, 2013}}</ref>