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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! 

CLICK HERE for application

Mitzvah Day

MITZVAH DAY 2024: NOTE THAT ALL EVENTS REQUIRE REGISTRATION! Please review the information below, then click on the "Register Now" to register for the event and/or project of choice. 

*ON-SITE PROJECTS BEGIN AT 10:00 AM.

  • REPAIRING CHUMASHIM: Help repair the bindings of our old Chumashim. Craig Goodwin will again be leading this activity. Registration is limited. Craig will demonstrate how to do the repairs, and all supplies will be provided. Open to adults and children over the age of 15.
  • TECH TRAINING: Learn to use your devices (smartphone, tablets, or laptops) to access the temple’s website to log into your account, make donations, pay bills, learn about Shul Cloud, stream services, or attend Zoom meetings. Bring your device(s) of choice. Make sure you know the necessary password(s) to get into your device(s)! Moshe Shmia will provide the training, with assistance from Adam Sternberg and Ken Halpern. They are awesome!
  • SOUND ENHANCEMENT: If you have trouble hearing in the Sanctuary, we may be able to help. Bring your SMART PHONE and BLUETOOTH-CAPABLE HEARING AIDS, and Jane Reiner will download our Audio Fetch app and explain how to use it, to augment the sound in shul. If your phone has a headphone jack, headphones will also work. Please make sure to bring your phone, and either hearing aids or headphones.
  • EASY-SEWING BLANKETS: Help sew squares together to make blankets for Project Linus, which donates the blankets to children in hospitals. No previous sewing knowledge needed! Laura Sternberg will lead this activity, and a good time will be had by all!
  • CARD-MAKING: Get creative and compassionate; make cards that will be sent to IDF soldiers as well as clients receiving food deliveries from The Genet Cupboard (the food pantry for Broward Jewish Family Services). Ivy Tenenbaum will facilitate this activity. Open to all ages.
  • PACKAGING TOILETRIES: We will be packaging our donated toiletries so that they are ready to be given to The Broward Partnership, a local homeless shelter. Linda Storfer will facilitate this activity. Open to adults and children over the age of 12.
  • CRAFTING WITH THE RABBI: Work with Rabbi Goldsmith to make crafts to be donated to a worthy  cause. Open to all ages.

*OFF-SITE PROJECTS:

  • ADOPT-A-STREET: Our second 2024 street cleanup is scheduled for 10:00-11:30 AM. The cleanup takes place along both sides of Rock Island Road from NW 18th Street to Atlantic Blvd and will be captained by Heidi Carmel, to whom we are very grateful! We need about 8 people, who must be able to walk at least a mile, bend to pick up trash from the sidewalks and swales, and carry the trash bags. This activity is open to adults; children over the age of 12 are welcome with a supervising adult.
  • BARC (Broward Addiction Recovery Center): A fun and heartwarming morning of Bingo and storytelling with the clients, to brighten their day. Registration is very limited. Gary Weichselbaum is leading this project.
  • ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC MISSION: Help serve food at a soup kitchen in Ft. Lauderdale. Registration is limited. If interested, contact Steve Iskowitz for further information.

 

NOTE: We expect Mitzvah Day to end at about 12 noon, after which we will host a pizza and salad lunch until about 12:45 PM. This lunch is ONLY for VOLUNTEERS and PARTICIPANTS (whether on-site or off-site). Please do not come to the temple for lunch if you have not volunteered and participated in at least one of the above events/projects! YOU MUST REGISTER FOR LUNCH because we MUST have a head count. If you did not register for lunch and we run out of food…you’re out of luck! Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions and we will try to accommodate them.

 

AFTER LUNCH: Craig Goodwin will lead an upbeat drum circle until about 2:00 PM. Relax and get in the zone with music and all kinds of fun percussion and other instruments. Open to all ages.

Ongoing Mitzvah Projects

FOOD DELIVERIES:  We continue to partner with Goodman Jewish Family Services (JFS) of Broward to assist with their monthly food deliveries.  They have two Sunday deliveries and one Tuesday delivery every month.  Food is delivered to Holocaust survivors and other Jewish people in need.  You MUST put in a short application with JFS to be vetted to do the deliveries; follow this link -- www.jfsbroward.org/,click on GET INVOLVED, click on VOLUNTEER, then click the blue rectangle marked "VOLUNTEER APPLICATION".  *Be prepared to upload photos of your driver's license and insurance card.  If you need help with this or if you have any questions/problems, please contact Steve or Sapir for further details.

 

DONATIONS:  There are boxes in the Temple lobby for toiletries for JFS RAK-PAK and food for JFS Cupboard.  Feel free to drop off donations at any time.  FOOD MUST BE KOSHER AND NON-PERISHABLE.

 

SOCIAL CALLS:  There are some temple members who have told us that they would like some TLC in the form of periodic phone calls from other members, to remain connected, find out and share the latest news, and shmooze. If you are someone who would LIKE A CALL, or someone who would like to MAKE A CALL, PLEASE let us know so that we can pair you up! The call days/times are arranged between the caller and the "callee", at their mutual convenience, as frequently and as short or as long as you decide. *FOR THOSE OVER THE AGE OF 55 WHO LIVE ALONE: PLEASE CONSIDER SIGNING UP FOR 211 TOUCHLINE. This FREE SERVICE, which is PROVIDED BY BROWARD COUNTY in conjunction with BSO, has been available for 25 years. Trained professionals can call you on a DAILY BASIS (or less, if you choose), to make sure you are OK. There is a simple application that you need to fill out (on paper or online), which we can help you complete. This is a VERY IMPORTANT SERVICE available for FREE. If you have any questions, PLEASE contact Steve Iskowitz or Sapir Roth.

Volunteer Opportunities

You might think Temple Beth Am’s Social Action initiative is about giving money, donating food, toiletries, clothes, toys, and school supplies a few times a year. Actually, the intent of our program is to make giving a part of everyone’s DAILY life. Most of us have more than we really need, but sometimes what people need isn’t material things. They need our TIME. They need our HEARTS. They need our expertise. They need US.

Below you will find a dozen worthy organizations who would welcome help. As you might imagine, most require applications, background checks, interviews, other vetting processes, or orientations to their facilities and protocols. Their locations vary, from Boynton Beach to South Broward. Some will allow you to volunteer on a flexible basis; others require more of a regular commitment. It is our hope that you will check them out and see if anything appeals to you and fits into your (busy) life. Thank you for your commitment to doing mitzvot!

If you already volunteer somewhere and they need more volunteers, please let us know, and we will add them to our list. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Steve Iskowitz or Sapir Roth, or contact the organization directly. The information below is current, but subject to change:

  1. Goodman Jewish Family Services of Broward, including the Genet Cupboard:
    • WEBSITE: WWW.JFSBROWARD.ORG/Volunteer
    • CONTACT PERSON: Michelle Pines (volunteer coordinator for the Cupboard)
    • PHONE: (954) 336-1148
    • EMAIL: MPines@jfsbroward.org
    • HELP THEY NEED: Food deliveries (up to 3x per month); Friendly Caller program; office help; RAK-PAK; special event assistance.
    • REQUIREMENTS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Application (online) for background check required; upload photos of driver’s license and car insurance required. Helping Holocaust survivors and other needy Jewish families.
    • FLEXIBILITY: Totally flexible.
  2. JAFCO (Jewish Adoption and Family Care Options):
    • WEBSITE: WWW.JAFCO.ORG
    • CONTACT PERSON: Linda Sachs (volunteer coordinator)
    • MAIN PHONE: (954) 749-7230
    • CONTACT PHONE: (954) 394-1182
    • EMAIL: Linda@JAFCO.org
    • HELP THEY NEED: Office/clerical; working at the shelter; working at the library; tutoring; cooking; other.
    • REQUIREMENTS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Tour*, application, orientation required. (*Community tour is on first Wednesday of each month, 9:30 am – 12N).
    • FLEXIBILITY: Unknown.
  3. Equine-Assisted Therapies of South Florida:
    • WEBSITE: https://equineatsf.org/support-us/volunteer/
    • CONTACT PERSON: Mollie Murphy (Executive Director)
    • MAIN PHONE: (954) 974-2007
    • CONTACT PHONE: (954) 532-4404
    • ADDRESS: Tradewinds Park North, 3601 W Sample Rd, Coconut Creek FL 33073
    • EMAIL: info@equineatsf.org
    • HELP THEY NEED: Start as a “sidewalker,” advance (with training) to be a horse leader; also help with cleaning stables/stalls; facility/paddock maintenance; grooming and feeding horses; office work, including reception and data entry; assisting at special events.
    • REQUIREMENTS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Orientation* and introductory training required. (*Orientation is in person on the first Tuesday of each month; time varies. Orientation includes learning about their programs, touring a barn, and first training about how to be a sidewalker). This organization serves children and adults with special needs. Of note, Bonnie and Michelle Taepakdee volunteer here. Please see their website for a calendar of all their events, including Orientation sessions!
    • FLEXIBILITY: Limited; you are expected to commit to at least 2 hours per week.
  4. Broward Health Coral Springs (formerly Coral Springs Medical Center):
    • WEBSITE: https://www.browardhealth.org/locations/broward-health-coral-springs
    • CONTACT PERSON: Christine or Sue
    • PHONE: (954) 344.3381
    • ADDRESS: 3000 Coral Hills Dr, Coral Springs FL 33065
    • EMAIL: N/A
    • HELP THEY NEED: Outpatient Center; Women’s Center; hospital inpatient floors; Same-Day Surgery.
    • REQUIREMENTS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Background check; TB testing, immune titers.
    • FLEXIBILITY: Limited. Prefer commitment of one day a week for a 4-hour shift.
  5. Margate Library (Catharine Young branch; Friends of the Library):
    • WEBSITE: https://www.broward.org/Library
    • CONTACT PERSON: Marva Bradford, Corinne Duncan; Manager: Michelle
    • PHONE: (954) 357.7500
    • ADDRESS: 5810 Park Drive, Margate FL 33063 (near Atlantic Blvd and 441, not far from Lester’s Diner)
    • EMAIL: N/A
    • HELP THEY NEED: Book Fair; Reading for Seniors; populating Friends Room.
    • REQUIREMENTS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Volunteer Interest form (online at *https://www.broward.org/Library/Pages/Volunteer.aspx)
    • FLEXIBILITY: Totally flexible.
  6. Women In Distress:
    • WEBSITE: https://www.womenindistress.org/
    • CONTACT PERSON: Emily Janas (education/speakers), Christine Goldman (event and donation coordinator)
    • PHONE: (954) 760-9800
    • ADDRESS: 1372 N SR 7, Margate FL 33063 (near Royal Palm Blvd)
    • EMAIL: info@womenindistress.org
    • HELP THEY NEED: Direct (working with women) and indirect (events, office/clerical, etc) volunteer opportunities available.
    • REQUIREMENTS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Volunteer Interest form (online at https://www.womenindistress.org/what-you-can- do/volunteer/); background check;interview;
    • FLEXIBILITY: Limited. Prefer commitment of 3 hrs per week.
  7. Kids In Distress:
    • WEBSITE: https://www.kidinc.org
    • CONTACT PERSON: Jessy Allain
    • PHONE: (954) 390-7654
    • ADDRESS: Main campus, 819 NE 26 th St, Ft Lauderdale FL 33305 (Wilton Manors)
    • EMAIL: info@kidinc.org
    • HELP THEY NEED: There are on-site and off-site volunteer opportunities available; helping with homework, reading; hand craft activities; Grandma Program (lead by Aretha); preschool, infant room, feeding babies (Yolanda).
    • REQUIREMENTS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Application (online at https://www.kidinc.org/get-involved/volunteer/)
    • FLEXIBILITY: Flexible.
  8. Feeding South Florida:
    • WEBSITE: https://feedingsouthflorida.org/
    • CONTACT PERSON: Ruth Bonet (volunteer coordinator)
    • MAIN PHONE: Warehouse in Pembroke Park, (954) 518-1818
    • SECONDARY PHONE: Warehouse in Boynton Beach, (561) 331-5441
    • ADDRESS: 4925 Park Ridge Blvd, Boynton Beach FL 33426
    • EMAIL: volunteers@feedingsouthflorida.org
    • HELP THEY NEED: Inspect, sort, and repack donated food in preparation for community distribution; help prep, cook, and pack meals in the Community Kitchen at Feeding Palm Beach County; assist their team at special events and distributions throughout the year; assist site coordinator at specific locations in distributing meal boxes to older adults.
    • REQUIREMENTS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Application (online at https://feedingsouthflorida.org/volunteer/)
    • FLEXIBILITY: Totally flexible.
  9. There’s a great need for volunteers at the Royal Palm Christian Church, located on the south side of Royal Palm Blvd just WEST of University Drive in Coral Springs. They need people for 2 hours (late morning) on WEDNESDAYS. The volunteers are very nice and the work is not strenuous; you will be packing and distributing food to people in need. The church volunteers are interested in partnering with us. You can work any Wednesday you want; if interested, please contact Paulette Halpern or Steve Iskowitz.
  10. Sawgrass Nature Center and Wildlife Hospital:
    • WEBSITE: https://sawgrassnaturecenter.org/ (you can message/chat on the website)
    • CONTACT PERSON: Abby (volunteer program)
    • PHONE: (954) 752-WILD ((954) 752-9453)
    • ADDRESS: 3000 Sportsplex Dr, Coral Springs, FL 33065
    • EMAIL: N/A
    • HELP THEY NEED: 
      • Animal handling/care (minimum 3-month commitment, 1 day a week from 10 AM – 2 PM; shifts available 7 days a week)
      • Visitor Center (minimum 3-month commitment, 1 day a week from 9 AM – 12 N; shifts available T/W/Th/F). Greet visitors, answer questions, provide information about the center, keep the visitor center clean, including replenishing bathrooms with toilet paper and paper towels, doing some light cleaning (taking out trash, sweeping, mopping, and other tasks that may be added as needed).
      • Other: Groups and even young children can participate in some volunteer activities. Speak to Abby.
    • REQUIREMENTS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Application (online at https://sawgrassnaturecenter.org/volunteering/adult-volunteer-application/); orientation. Volunteer opportunities are available for teens and adults.
    • FLEXIBILITY: Very limited (minimum 3-month commitment required for some volunteer opportunities).
  11. HCA Florida Northwest Hospital:
    • WEBSITE: https://www.hcafloridahealthcare.com/locations/northwest-hospital
    • CONTACT PERSON: Claire
    • PHONE:  (954) 974-0400
    • ADDRESS: 2801 N SR 7, Margate FL 33063
    • EMAIL: N/A
    • HELP THEY NEED: At this time, they are organizing a pilot program for volunteers. Check back in about a month; contact Steve or Sapir if interested.
    • REQUIREMENTS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: TBD
    • FLEXIBILITY: TBD
  12. SOS Children’s Village:
    • WEBSITE: https://www.sosflorida.com/volunteer/
    • CONTACT PERSON: Victoria Scott (office manager) or Brenda Hovatter (director of volunteers)
    • PHONE:  (954) 420-5030
    • ADDRESS: 3681 NW 59th Pl, Coconut Creek FL 33073
    • EMAIL: BHovatter@SOSFlorida.com
    • HELP THEY NEED: People good with crafts, sewing; outdoor play (e.g. jump rope); beautification projects (painting, gardening, decorating the homes for holidays); mentors; birthday buddies; independent living skills, including financial management, health and wellness, resume building; Luke’s Closet (sorting and washing clothes, organizing and managing inventory); Dinner Dates; other.
    • REQUIREMENTS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Application (online). These are foster care group homes.
    • FLEXIBILITY: Flexible.
  13. UFAR (United For Animals) Rescue:
    • WEBSITE: https://ufarescue.org/volunteer-form
    • CONTACT PERSON: Bruna (volunteer coordinator)
    • MAIN PHONE:  (954) 761-6814
    • CONTACT PHONE:  (561) 305-7440
    • ADDRESS: 364 S SR 7, Margate FL 33063
    • EMAIL: N/A
    • HELP THEY NEED: Cleaning and organizing; greeting visitors, potential adopters; taking pics/vids of animals for social media; attending events; computer skills; accounting skills; playing with and brushing the cats; transporting pets (to/from events or vets); feeding pets; handyman skills); other.
    • REQUIREMENTS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Application (online); Orientation (attend one Thursday at 5:30 PM for 30 minutes). This is a no-kill pet shelter, rescue, and adoption facility with 300 animals, mostly cats.
    • FLEXIBILITY: Flexible.

 

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).

Anyone over the age of 12 is welcome. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE. Please see the FAQ section below as it answers some common questions.

Our next street clean-up is scheduled for December 25th (Mitzvah Day). We need about 6 people, INCLUDING MEN, but more is OK too. We will be making more announcements closer to that date. For further information, contact Steve Iskowitz or Sapir Roth.

 

FAQs:

Q:  Who is in charge of this project?

A:  Heidi Carmel is the designated captain for this project, having completed the prerequisite training. Shavie Fagan and Sapir Roth have also completed the training and vetting process and are alternate captains.

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).

Reverse Taschlich

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 usually takes place on the Sunday between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, aiming to remove trash people have thrown on our beaches. Our 2024 cleanup took place on Sunday September 29th. More information will be posted here before the High Holy Days in 2025. For further information, please visit www.repairthesea.org.

Just FYI, everyone must register prior to the event so that we have a headcount to provide sufficient supplies. There is multilevel public parking near the cleanup area. Comfortable cool clothing is the way to go; consider wearing a hat, and don’t forget sunscreen! We will provide bottled water. We do a short Tashlich service prior to the cleanup. Expect to spend about 90 minutes at the beach.

Little Free Pantry & Library

Social Action program has partnered with B’nai Torah Synagogue in Boca for this program.

Both the Pantry and Library are brightly painted wooden cabinets 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 and Library includes community participation.  The concept is that at any time, anybody can donate non-perishable items (food, personal care products, paper goods, school tools, books,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 or Library, 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 or Library.

While the Pantry and Library are 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 about the Pantry, please contact Contact Sapir Roth 954-257-5275, Steve Iskowitz 954-240-8627 or Maxine Szmulewitz at maxinepaula@gmail.com.

 

For any questions about the library, please contact Contact Sapir Roth 954-257-5275, Steve Iskowitz 954-240-8627 or Ivy Tenenbaum at tenenbaumi9@gmail.com.

REPORTTHATPANTRY.ORG - see the status of the pantry (full, half-full, empty).

 

 

 

Tue, December 10 2024 9 Kislev 5785