HELP WANTED!
TEMPLE EMUNAH'S SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE NEEDS YOU

Join Temple Emunah members as we, with our community, contribute to Tikkun Olam, the repair and completion of the world. We encourage members to develop and lead projects.

To learn more about the Tikkun Mitzvah Pledge Program and the specific ways you may volunteer during the course of the year, please click here

Community Outreach

There are many hungry people in the world; the problem appears so immense that we often feel that we can do nothing. But you can bring a spark to your life and to others by preparing or serving a meal at a shelter through Project Sarah, collecting and distributing food for hungry families through Family Table, or serving a meal on Christmas Day through Project Ezra. Bar and Bat Mitzvah and wedding families are encouraged to contribute to Project Mazon.

Family Table

Family Table began in 1993 as a community response to the rising number of Jewish families and individuals who could not afford the necessities of life. It is a program sponsored by the Jewish Family & Children’s Services (JF&CS) working collaboratively with the Synagogue Council Of Mass, Jewish Community Relations Council and Hillell Council to bring this needed serve to families throughout Greater Boston to increase hunger awareness in our community. Family Table is a member of the Greater Boston Food Bank. The number of families receiving assistance is greater than 150. Many of these families are new to the United States. Some families have breadwinners who unfortunately have lost their jobs or are unable to work due to illness. Synagogues throughout Boston contribute a variety of different food items as well as paper goods and toiletries monthly.

On a monthly basis, our congregation collects 100 boxes of rice (no larger than a two pound bag) and 100 boxes of crackers. The food is placed in the baskets in the front entrance of the temple. The food is collected and brought to JF&CS once monthly by volunteers from our congregation. Temple Emunah also participates in special holiday food drives at Yom Kippur, Purim and Passover. In addition, we also provide Hanukah gifts to children of Family Table recipients. Once yearly, we not only bring our collected food to JF&CS, but we also pack up the groceries at the Waltham site and deliver the food directly to families.

Food and Flowers

After Shabbat, deliver Temple flowers to area nursing homes and leftover food from Temple functions to Sandra's Lodge in Waltham.

Hineni

Hineni provides outreach to our congregation when special assistance is needed due to illness. Volunteers provide transportation, meals, friendly visits, and assistance with household tasks that may be difficult. Hineni also maintains a list of community resources for seniors in need of assistance.

International Humanitarian Relief

Temple Emunah has led nationally recognized efforts on behalf of civilians in war-torn areas; sending aid to Bosnia and resettling refugees locally; collecting funds to aid international humanitarian organizations in Kosovo. Help the Emunah community respond to international crises.

The genocide in Darfur continues unabated. Most recently, China and the Sudan government have signed new agreements of cooperation, without any concern on China's part for human rights. China supports the genocide not only monetarily by being one of the largest purchasers of Sudanese oil, but also by having a vote on the UN Security Council - and that vote is never in favor of helping the people of Darfur (www.savedarfurma.org). Temple Emunah has made a commitment not to stand idly by while the people of the western Sudan, the Darfurians, are suffering. Temple Emunah maintains a project whereby donations can be made to "Temple Emunah/Darfur" for the purchase of solar cookers to be sent into the refugee camps. The lives of women and children can be saved if they don't have to leave the camps in search of firewood and become targets of the Arab militia (Janjaweed). The policy of the Social Action Committee is to not stand idly by but to be as engaged as possible in working to stop the genocide.

K'sharim : Connecting People with Disabilities to Jewish Life

The Havdalah Happening is an annual Havdalah service and dinner for people with disabilities. Volunteers are needed to help with publicity and dinner preparations. Be a part of a welcoming community. K'sharim is now shared by six other congregations, based on the model created at Temple Emunah.

Red Cross Blood Drives

Twice a year, Temple Emunah sponsors a blood drive with the American Red Cross. Volunteers are needed to place telephone calls to donors, to help register people, to serve refreshments, and of course, to donate blood. Tired of giving gifts that aren't really needed? Give a gift that can be a lifesaver To volunteer please call Gila Appleby at 781-863-1326.

Urban Affairs

Help a Child Advance in School

Do you enjoy working with school age kids? Would you like to help urban youngsters who are having trouble academically? If so, here are some great opportunities for you to consider.

Tutoring in a Lowell Middle School

Temple Emunah has been providing tutoring support to youngsters in several locations since 1997. We are now helping at the Sullivan School, a middle school (grades 5 to 8) located in Lowell. Our volunteers are there on Monday afternoons from 1:10 to 3:10 where each works with one youngster during the school day and then as part of an after school program. We have been helping fifth to seventh graders in math and English. Our pay, of course, consists of the satisfaction of seeing youngsters who are having academic trouble move on. You must be available at least twice a month to participate. Teaching experience is not necessary.
Larry Marin (781)861-7855, coordinator

Literacy Tutoring in a Cambridge Elementary School

If you would prefer to work with children younger than middle school age you might enjoy joining the literacy tutors from Temple Isaiah. They work with children from kindergarten through third grade, in a Cambridge Public School, to provide support or enrichment, primarily in reading. You do not need any teaching experience; training and support are provided through the Jewish Community Relations Council. You would be joining over 700 volunteers in the Greater Boston area who participate in the Greater Boston Jewish Coalition for Literacy. You need to commit to one morning hour each week, but the scheduling is flexible.
Elaine Wiesen (781)862-7078, coordinator

The Social Action Committee facilitates and supports all of these activities. For further information please contact our Social Action chair.

Barbara Posnick, E-Mail or call at 508-358-0812.

Links

o Tikkun Mitzvah Pledge Program
o Social Action Shabbat Talk 1-16-10