Social Action
Our Social Action Committee helps Temple Beth David to fulfill one of the tenets of our mission statement, working toward Tikkun Olam, "healing of the world". We do this by working on ongoing projects such as food drives, volunteering in the Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen, informing and educating our congregants about important issues which affect us as Jews and as citizens of the world. We help our youth to see the effect that their involvement with Social Action can achieve through B’nai Mitzvah individual and class projects, and programs involving the entire religious school community.
Mitzvah Moments
Each month, we'll be implementing one or two "Mitzvah Moments" projects meant to improve the lives of others in our community. This month's projects are listed below, Please contact the individual listed within each project with any specific questions.
Abraham’s Tent 2018
Once again, Temple Beth David and St. Peter's Church will be teaming up with Columbus House as a week-long host of the Abraham's Tent initiative. We will be looking for volunteers to cook, serve food and stay overnight as hosts. Hosting is especially critical this time of year, especially as our week falls during holiday season. Please volunteer early so we can be as prepared as possible.
Columbus House carefully screens and selects twelve homeless men who they believe will benefit greatly from this experience. The men will be hosted by various congregations in the New Haven area for the entire winter. TBD will provide housing and meals for the men from December 17 - 24. While we are reaching out to neighboring congregations in town who may want to assist, we are looking for as many volunteers as possible.
Sign up to help, or contact: Liz Markman (TBD) 203-913-1991, lizjmarkman@gmail.com, Sue Cohen (TBD) 203-915-3669, scpcohen@gmail.com, or Michaela Hauser (St. P) m.h.w@cox.net.
Teens can sign up to help cook for Abraham's Tent on December 21.
Food Donations
Donations for the Cheshire Community Food Pantry and Jewish Family Services are always accepted in the lobby, especially the first Friday of the month. Ideas and suggestions for the Social Action Committee are always welcome!
Please consider making a donation to help support more social action work at TBD.
Mitzvah Garden 2019
Those who were able to help on Planting Day, May 19th, did an absolutely fantastic job. Veggies (including tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, and herbs, front step planters and the marigold border) were all planted. We accomplished a tremendous amount of work in only 3 hours.
Please look for emails announcing upcoming MG harvests, which should be weekly.
Religious Action
For 50 years, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism ("the RAC") has been the hub of Jewish social justice and legislative activity in Washington, D.C. As the DC office of the Union for Reform Judaism, the RAC educates and mobilizes the Reform Jewish community on legislative and social concerns, advocating on more than 70 different issues, including economic justice, civil rights, religious liberty, Israel and more. As a 501c3 non-profit organization, the RAC's advocacy work is completely non-partisan and pursues public policies that reflect the Jewish values of social justice that form the core of our mandate.
