Tikkum Olam — repairing our world for today and the future. This committee reflects the Jewish values of justice (tzedakah), compassion (hesed), and peace (shalom). Social Action has come to symbolize the quest for social justice, freedom, equality, peace and the restoration of the environment. It is a call to action to repair the world through social action projects and programs. Each act of kindness, no matter how small, helps to build a new world. The committee meets several times a year to identify and select the congregation’s social action programs for the calendar year.
Projects for 2011-12:
July through mid-August: Back to School Drive (school supplies)
August: Collection of new books, toys and games for hospitalized children
September: Operation Isaiah 5772 — food collection for Kitchen on the Street
October: 1) Komen Phoenix Race for the Cure on 10/9; 2) Grace Hospice training; 3) Assist at Jewish
Genetic Testing on 10/30
November: Community-wide pajama drive
December: Operation Linus–blankets and sleeping bags
January: JNF tree drive
February: Blood drive and CPR/AED training on 2/19
March: Passover food drive
April: 1) Passover Social Action Shabbat; 2) Shred-a-Thon
May: TBA
Ongoing programs:
* Cellphones, eyeglasses and toiletries collected throughout the year and donated to shelters for the needy. Please deposit your donations in the collection bins in the Or Chadash lobby.
* Baby wipes, sunblock and shampoo collection for babies in the UMOM and Crisis Nursery shelters.
* Participation in Shalom House (Council for Jews with Special Needs) programs
Bikkur Holim – This committee honors one of the most important mitzvot according to Jewish law…visiting and caring for the sick. The committee, along with our clergy, reaches out to our members who are ill or experiencing times of need with phone calls, hospital visits and, if necessary, home visits. The committee also assists Rabbi Caplan in updating the mishaberach list read in the synagogue each week. The Bikkur Holim committee does not have regular meetings but does welcome members to help make phone calls, make hospital visits or prepare a meal for our members.
New service added to Bikkur Holim: Congregant Len Wolen, MD (retired surgeon) has offered to help congregants facing significant medical decisions such as major surgery. Len recognizes the angst involved in not knowing where to find information or what questions to ask. He has offered to: guide a congregant and his/her advocate in the quest for information on a disease and suggested treatments; help prepare questions to ask the health care provider; and assist in developing a method for decision making regarding treatment. Please note that medical advice will not be given. Len is willing to meet at the synagogue or at a public place such as Starbucks. To contact Len, email him at len6254@cox.net.
If you would like to be a member of either of these important committees, please contact Linda Moskowitz (mousekowitz@me.com) or Kari Kinney (akasunshine@me.com). Come join us and do a Mitzvah!
