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Social Action Committee
Judaism teaches us that we are responsible for tikkun olam- repair of the world. We can repair our corner of the world and more by taking action together.
Read the Social Action Newsletter - February 2008
CHANUKAH FOOD AND WARMTH DRIVE
The Social Action Committee will be collecting the following items during the month of November up until the Chanukah Family Service:
• Non-perishable food items
• Children’s and Adult hats, gloves, mittens & scarves
• Warm socks (Men’s, Women’s and Children’s)
The collected donations will go to the Schaumburg, Palatine and other area Townships for their food pantries, shelters and schools.
Let us let the light of our Chanukah candles brighten and give warmth to the world around us.
Please place your donations in the blue container marked Chanukah Food and Warmth Drive next to the Social Action Bin.
FALL 2007 UPDATE
The High Holiday Food Drive was a huge success. The storage pod for the Ark was filled and Steve Rabin delivered a huge truck load of food to the Schaumburg Township Food Pantry. The staff at the food panty said the timing could not have been better as they were so low on everything. Thanks to all of the families who brought bags of groceries and thanks to all the wonderful students who sorted the items and loaded the pod and truck.
In September, the Social Action Committee shipped two large crates of items to our sister community in Krasnador, Russia. We were able to send several blood pressure cuffs and glucose monitors as well as many clothing items, vitamins and over the counter medicines. They are in great need of prescription drugs for high blood pressure and antibiotics. If any doctors in the congregation receive any samples from pharmaceutical companies that they wish to send to Krasnador, please contact the temple office or e-mail Cathy Rabin at srabin8011@sbcglobal.net. We recently received the following message from Russia.
Dear friends!
Happy HAG Sukkot! We wish you good health, joy and prosperity
For your community!
With best wishes
Chairman of the Makor Community
Georgy Gonik (Russia, Krasnodar)
Don’t forget the Life Source Blood Drive on October 21st in the Beth Tikvah parking lot. Call Bob Mandell at (847) 540-0184 to schedule your time slot between 9:00 and 1:00. Every donor will receive a Bagel, Lox and Cream Cheese at the Sisterhood’s Nosh Café!
HIGH HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE
Each year, during the High Holiday season, the Social Action Committee holds a food drive to collect:
- Kosher and non-Kosher food (canned tuna, soup, fruits, vegetables, pasta)
- Grocery items (paper goods, cleaning supplies, toiletries)
See flyer for details.
During Rosh Hashona services, grocery bags are distributed (or you may use your own bags). Once filled, the bags are returned to the Temple. Shortly after Yom Kippur the food is sorted and donated to the ARK and the Schaumburg Township Food Pantry.
Because services will be held off-site this year, we ask that if you are in the Temple any time between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, you bring your donation to the Temple and put it along the perimeter of the Chaveron.
If you will not be at the Temple during that time, we will collect bags at the Yom Kippur Services at the Church.
MITZVAH DAY 2007
Enjoy pictures and read about good works done by adults and chidren at Beth Tikvah. Also enjoy additional page of pictures.
Check out the special Sandbox project and pictures.
LATEST CALL FOR DONATIONS
Drop off the following items at Beth Tikvah for distribution to the following agencies.
Help WINGS, a local women's and children's shelter, by donating items they can sell in their resale shops:
- Summer clothing for men, women and children
- Shoes
- Books, records, CD's, tapes and movies (VHS and DVD)
- Household items and linens
- Lamps and pictures
Help Chicago Action support the Jews in Krasnador, Russia by donating:
- Used or new clothing for men, women and children
- New underware and socks for men, women and children
PROGRAMS
Mitzvah Day
On Mitzvah Day we join together to help those less fortunate. Some of the past Mitzvah Day projects have included:
- Food for the Homeless- prepared turkey dinners are delivered to a PADS site.
- Pet Visits for Seniors
- Little City Activities
- Blood Drive- give the gift of life by donating blood to LifeSource
- Love Letters- create letters and cards that will brighten the lives of children who are dealing with long term or catastrophic illnesses.
- Sack Lunches- Help the religious school students make and pack hundreds of lunches for distribution to the needy.
- Entertainment at local nursing homes.
- Social Action Sewing- make baby quilts for area women’s shelters and to send to Krasnodar, Russia.
- Chili Cook-off
Many of the Mitzvah Day programs are underwritten by funds raised at the Chili Cook-off. The Hoffman Estates Fire Department judges chili, bread and desserts made by our own congregants! Prizes are awarded. The evening entertainment includes karaoke, raffles and more.
Toiletry Collection
Throughout the year we collect travel and sample sized toiletries to distribute to local shelters and crisis centers.
Cell Phone Collection
Throughout the year we collect cell phones as part of a national program. The phones are reconditioned and programmed to dial 911 and given to people who are victims of domestic violence.
Pop Tops Collection
Containers are located around the Temple for collecting aluminum pop tops. The aluminum is sold to a recycler with the proceeds going to support the general operating fund at Ronald McDonald Houses.
Yom Kippur Food Drive
Beth Tikvah members take home grocery bags on Rosh Hashanah and bring them back filled with non-perishable food items on Yom Kippur. Kosher items are donated to the ARK with the rest going to local food pantries.
Krasnodar, Russia
Beth Tikvah “adopted” a small Jewish community in Krasnodar, Russia. We send them clothes, religious items, medication, and more. We also provide support through e-mail and phone calls.
Tzedahkah Fair
In October of 2005, the Social Action Committee hosted their first Tzedahkah Fair. Speakers from Jewish National Fund, Magan David Adom, Jewish Council on Urban Affairs, Jewish United Fund/TOV, Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Braille Insititute, SuperSibs and American Friends of Neve Shalom came and spoke to our students about their organizations and the important work that they do.
Membership Come and be a part of Social Action in action! With our on-going projects and our new projects, we are looking for people who want to make a difference. Please contact Cathy Rabin at (847) 426-5423 or e-mail her srabin8011@sbcglobal.net for the next committee meeting date. We would love to see you there! |
