Social Action
Volunteering of one's time and expertise is not only a recognized Jewish value, but one that is highly prized in our Temple community. The concept of Tikun Olam (repairing the world) reflects the Jewish values of Justice (tzedek), Compassion (chesed) and Peace (shalom), and has come to symbolize the quest for social justice, freedom, equality, peace, and the restoration of the environment. It calls us to repair the world through social action and thoughtful interaction with the world and the people around us. Tikun Olam recognizes that each act of kindness, no matter how small, helps build a better world.
Opportunities for Tikun Olam are numerous and diverse. Our members are encouraged to lend their hearts, souls, and minds to the needs in our community that most interest and inspire them. Beyond the immense satisfaction of assisting in organizing a program or helping an individual, volunteering is the ideal way to meet other members of our Temple Beth Am community. Some of the opportunities focus on internal (temple) programs and functions, while others focus on the community at large. Newcomers to South Florida or just to Beth Am will have an opportunity to meet people with common goals and values. The best way to get involved is to SIGN UP, and contact one of the chairpersons to discover available opportunities for involvement.
For any questions, Please Contact Sapir Roth 954-257-5275 or Steve Iskowitz 954-240-8627.
HELP US REPAIR THE WORLD!
Upcoming Events
Food Deliveries/Meals-on-Wheels: We had lots of fun doing this mitzvah! There are ongoing DAILY opportunities delivering to Holocaust survivors as well as other Jewish people, courtesy of The Cupboard (Ben and Dorit Genet). There are also occasional opportunities to deliver for Meals-on-Wheels (e.g. Thanksgiving and other holidays). BOTH require applications and background checks to be done in advance. You can request to deliver in an area that is convenient for you. The Cupboard also would love to have help on site with putting the bags together and doing other necessary odd jobs. You will LOVE this place; the people are passionate about helping as many people as possible, and it shows. Contact Steve or Sapir to get started.
Street Clean-up: Our next clean-up event is scheduled for Mitzvah Day (Sunday 12/25). The tentative start time is 10 AM, subject to change. Anyone over the age of 12 is welcome. REGISTRATION REQUIRED; DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS 12/18
Repairing Books: Ongoing. This will also be a Mitzvah Day event (Sunday 12/25/2022). Craig Goodwin, to whom we are grateful for undertaking this project, will teach you how to repair the books. To participate in the project, please contact Social Action (Steve or Sapir), or Arlene Corsover (954.817.8352, corsover@gmail.com).
Random Acts of Kindness: We have partnered with JFS Cupboard and RAK-PAK to have donation boxes in our shul lobby at all times. Any time the spirit moves you, feel free to bring something to donate. The organizations will collect the donations on a regular basis. Please see the relevant flyers (on and near the boxes) as far as what items are needed. Note that all items must be NEW and all food must be KOSHER. Alternatively, on the Federation web page is a link to an online wish list, and purchased items will be delivered directly to Federation.
Reverse Tashlich
Reverse Tashlich: On Rosh Hashanah, the traditional Tashlich service has us throwing bread into a body of water, symbolizing the casting away of our sins. Unfortunately, bread isn’t the only thing people throw in the water. An event called REVERSE TASHLICH takes place on the Sunday between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, aiming to remove trash people have thrown on our beaches. Our Second Annual Beach Cleanup will be on 02 October 2022 at the Pompano Pier (222 N Pompano Beach Blvd, Pompano Beach FL 33062). At 9:45 AM, Rabbi Goldsmith will lead a brief Tashlich service, and the beach cleanup will begin at 10 AM. PLEASE REGISTER for this event at www.repairthesea.org/rt2022 so that we have a headcount to provide sufficient supplies. Wear comfortable cool clothing, consider wearing a hat, don’t forget sunscreen! We will provide bottled water. Expect to spend about an hour.
Sneak Peek
The Little Free Library is en route to the shul! It will need to be painted, sealed, and mounted (just like the Little Free Pantry), and we hope to have a little ribbon-cutting ceremony when it’s ready. Check back for updates!
We are also looking for a few dedicated volunteers to polish our silver artifacts (Torah crowns, etc, in the Ark) as we did last year, before the High Holy Days. It is stunning when the Ark is opened and all of the silver is shining brightly in all its glory! This will take about an hour of your time on a Sunday (date TBD). Please contact Steve or Sapir if you are willing to participate.
If you have any ideas for volunteer opportunities, any suggestions, any contacts, any cause you’re passionate about, please let us know so we can connect. We love what you love!
Little Free Pantry
Social Action program has partnered with B’nai Torah Synagogue in Boca for this program.
The pantry is a brightly painted wooden cabinet with a clear door mounted on a post at the southwest end of the temple parking lot near the bus stop on Royal Palm Blvd.
The success of the pantry includes community participation. The concept is that at any time, anybody can donate non-perishable items (food, personal care products, paper goods, school tools, etc). In turn, anybody in the community who needs these items can come and take them.
If you would like to donate but are unable to physically come to the pantry you can still donate using the Amazon wish list:
https://bit.ly/TBALittlePantryDonation
The items will be delivered from Amazon directly to the temple, and they will be placed in the Pantry.
While the pantry is on Beth Am’s property, this is really a community project. We have facilitated a way for neighbors to help neighbors.
Do a mitzvah! Support Social Action!
For any questions, please contact Contact Sapir Roth 954-257-5275, Steve Iskowitz 954-240-8627 or Maxine Szmulewitz at maxinepaula@gmail.com.
REPORTTHATPANTRY.ORG - see the status of the pantry (full, half-full, empty).
ADOPT-A-STREET
As part of our Social Action program, we have partnered with the City of Margate to host street clean-up events at least twice a year, and in exchange for this, the city has posted signs at the north and south ends of our designated route (Rock Island Road, from NW 18th Street to Atlantic Blvd). Our next clean-up event is scheduled on Mitzvah Day (12/26). The tentative start time is 10 AM, subject to change.
Anyone over the age of 12 is welcome. REGISTRATION REQUIRED; DEADLINE FOR REGISTRATION IS 12/17. Please see the FAQ section below as it answers some common questions.
FAQs:
Q: Who is in charge of this project?
A: Heidi Carmel is the designated leader for this project and has completed all the prerequisite training.
Q: Where will the event(s) take place?
A: TBA has been assigned to collect trash along the 1-mile section of sidewalk on Rock Island from NW 18th Street south to Atlantic Boulevard. We have agreed to collect trash on BOTH SIDES of Rock Island Road to help keep our city clean. Participants should be physically able to walk 2 MILES (one mile up and one mile back), carrying a bag of trash. Participants must stay together and walk AGAINST TRAFFIC. Collected trash will be left at a designated area.
Q: How long will it take?
A: Approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours, depending on how many people participate.
Q: Can we just show up or do we need to sign up (register) to participate?
A: The City requires a week’s notice of our intent to hold a cleanup event. We will need people to SIGN UP (register) on the Temple website so we know how many participants we can expect. Please note that participants must be over the age of 12.
Q: Where will we get the trash bags?
A: The City provides trash bags, gloves, and vests for all participants. Participants are encouraged to wear weather-appropriate clothing, protect themselves from the sun (bring hats and sunglasses, use sunscreen), and bring their own water to keep adequately hydrated. YOU MUST WEAR CLOSED-TOE SHOES.
Q: Do we need to pick up trash in the gutters/street?
A: NO! We are NOT to go into the street (i.e., where the traffic is). We are also discouraged from picking up anything that seems dangerous (Your Project Leader will go over all this prior to the start of the event).
Q: I am diabetic/have heart problems/use a walker/get sunburned (etc). Can I participate?
A: People who may be prone/susceptible to dehydration, low blood sugar, fainting, dizziness, migraines, shortness of breath, heat rashes, and/or any other medical problems, should not participate, and the Project Leader reserves the right to refuse participants. All participants must sign a release/waiver (on site, prior to participating), holding the City of Margate free of liability.
Q: What if I can only come for an hour? What if I can’t walk the whole way?
A: We hope people will come for the whole event, but this is a voluntary event and you do not have to complete the whole thing. If you can’t complete the entire distance, or you can’t stay the whole time, you can participate for as long as you can, and leave when needed. We encourage people to complete the full event to make this the best cleanup possible.
Q: How will I know when a cleanup is scheduled?
A: Cleanup events will be announced the usual ways: The Weekly What’s Happening, email, website, Shabbat bulletin, Shabbat announcements. Stay tuned!
Q: I still have some questions. Whom can I call?
A: Please call the Temple office (954.968.4545), Steve Iskowitz (954.240.8627), Sapir Roth (954.257.5275) or Heidi Carmel (954.260.5305).
