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SOCIAL ACTION
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
CBI Member Scott Silverman: CNN Hero,
Gives Second Chance to Homeless and Unemployed
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| Scott Silverman |
View CNN Hero Video
View Scott Silverman Day Video
February 19, 2008 was designated "Scott Silverman Day" in San Diego by the Mayor and City Council. Scott has additionally been recognized by the U.S. Congress for his long-time commitment to our community. Now Scott has been chosen one of CNN's Heroes. A fortune 500 executive has called him "a visionary." Last year alone he improved the lives of 9,500 people. Scott Silverman is a man on a mission – and a long-time, proud member of CBI.
Scott is the founder and executive director of Second Chance, a non-profit organization
that provides job readiness training, employment placement, affordable housing and
life skills to homeless and unemployed individuals who desire to change their lives.
After becoming clean and sober himself in the early '80s, Scott began volunteering at
CBI's Hunger Project. Starting a business managing properties in some of the toughest
neighborhoods in San Diego, Scott found himself negotiating with drug dealers and
gangs to reclaim the complexes he represented. He got to know the area residents and began
helping them to get and keep jobs. In 1993 he decided to devote himself to this work full time and started Second Chance. Thirteen years later Scott is as devoted as ever to making a difference for those who really need it.
Scott grew up in our congregation, going
through religious school, Bar Mitzvah and confirmation classes. He and his wife, Michelle
and their two children are active both here at CBI and in the Jewish community. We salute
Scott's great work and the example of tikkun olam that he sets for all of us.
To learn more about Second Chance, visit the Web site at www.secondchanceprogram.org.
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About the Social
Action Committee:
Repairing the World
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| SAC Chair Deb DeBow |
Congregation Beth Israel is a community within greater communities.
As part of K'lal Yisrael, the entire Jewish
community, we support the State of Israel and value our connection to world
Jewry and to all humankind. We seek dialogue and joint action with people of other faiths in the
hope that together we can bring peace, freedom and justice to our world.
We are dedicated to pursuing tzedek (justice)
and righteousness and to performing mitzvot (commandments).
These acts bring us closer to translating the words of the Torah into the works
of our hands. We use our individual consciences and collective strengths to help solve social
problems wherever they may exist.
We have been responsible for initiating congregational resolutions in support
of:
- The security and well-being of Israel
- Environmental issues
- Gun law legislation
We are partners with God in tikkun olam (repairing
the world) through education, advocacy and performing mitzvot.
Educate Ourselves and Others
We educate ourselves and the community about current social issues.
Advocate Social Justice
We support social justice affecting both Jewish and greater San Diego communities.
Perform Mitzvot
We obey God's commandments to perform mitzvot, including acts of loving-kindness,
which benefit the entire Jewish and greater San Diego communities.
Donations Are Always Welcome
Would you like to support the work of the Tikkun Olam/Social
Action Committee? You can make donations to the Social Action Committee in honor
of your simcha or in memory of your loved one.
Designate the Social Action Committee the next time you send a donation to CBI.
The entire community will benefit from your generosity.
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Volunteer to Make a Difference in a Social Action Project
Would you want to adopt a new project or choose to volunteer/support one of our existing programs? Our Tikkun Olam - Social Action Committee (SAC) has a variety of programs which help many people in our community.
Please check off what interests you have and reply directly to the listed project contact person or mail back the attached Mitzvah Project
Volunteer Form (PDF, 21K) to Bonnie Graff, CBI Program Director.
Projects with an urgent need for volunteers:
| Caring for Kids |
Find or provide specific items for needy foster
children. |
| Habitat for Humanity: |
Quarterly |
| Knit and Nosh |
Helpers needed
to stitch squares into blankets for babies for this winter. Helpers meet 2nd Sunday of each month. |
| Volunteer for a Volunteer |
Helpers needed Christmas Eve and Day, to replace
volunteers who are taking the holiday off, at places like convalescent
and other facilities. |
| Hunger Project |
Serve brunch on Sunday mornings at St. Vincent
de Paul |
| Adopt a US Soldier |
An ongoing donation project to provide necessities to service persons in Iraq and Afghanistan. |
We look forward to including you in this important work of our Congregation.
Sincerely,
Chair
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Celebrate Mitzvah Day Every
Month
Many synagogues (including CBI, in the past) offer a Mitzvah Day. We invite you to celebrate Mitzvah Day every month instead of just once
a year. We facilitate a series of monthly events and ongoing projects and have an extensive data base of mitzvah projects
for you, your friends and family, your Chavurot, students who are seeking ma
'asei mitzvah projects, etc. In addition, we encourage existing auxiliairies
and committees within the congregation to sponsor monthly projects. Examples
include Shaare Chai Chavurah spearheading
the Cottage of Israel Project and Women of Beth Israel's
ongoing assistance to Rachel's Women's Center.
Mitzvot and
community service should be an ongoing part of our lives. For a Tikkun
Olam/Social Action brochure or to receive a copy of the Mitzvah Projects
Data Base contact Bonnie Graff, Program
Director, at 858-535-1111, ext. 3128.
View Film On The Reform Movement's Adult Mitzvah Corps
Help to Families Rebuilding After Hurricane Katrina
Check out this short film called Four
Months Later by Aaron Soffin. It takes
a look at New Orleans four months after hurricane Katrina and the efforts of
Tzevet Mitzvot, the adult Mitzvah corps associated with the Reform Movement,
to help four families rebuild.
Mitzvah Projects Database
Would you, your family, chavurah, committee or
organization like to engage in a social action program? The Tikkun
Olam – Social Action Committee maintains an up-to-date database of
local mitzvah projects, with descriptions and
contacts, that need your help. Download the Mitzvah
Projects Database (PDF, 64K), find a project that needs your help and begin
repairing the world today.
Read News from the Religious Action Center
The hub of Jewish social justice and legislative activity in the nation's capital for over 40 years.
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Schools' Mitzvah Activities:
Religious School Mitzvah Activities - Madeline Cohen is the Mitzvah Project
Coordinator for the Religious School.
Tot Shabbat Dinners - Collectibles and Mitzvah activity,
Preschool – Monthly on the first Friday night of the month
Donating Chanukah/Christmas Gifts for Needy Families
through JFS, Preschool – First two Weeks of December
Crafts Projects for Mama's Kitchen and Other Agencies at
Religious School Family Shabbat Dinners
Collectables Drives – Religious
School Collection of Items for Meals on Wheels and HIPPY (Home
Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters), and providing volunteers
for HIPPY meetings and other programs throughout the year.
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Additional Social Action Reference Links:
Operation Understanding
African American and Jewish Students Project
The Bookman
Irwin Herman provides used books for the needy, schools and prisons.
Mama's Kitchen
Prepares and delivers meals to people with AIDS. Mama's Kitchen always needs support.
When you shop for food for your family, please remember Mama's Kitchen and purchase
a few supplies for donation. Any type of non-perishable food is accepted including:
canned goods, including fruits, vegetables, soups, tuna fish and tomato sauce,
16 oz. jars of peanut butter and jelly, boxes of cereal, macaroni and cheese,
juices and pasta, small packages of pancake mix, 1 lb. bags of rice, instant
oatmeal packets, dried pinto beans and packaged pasta dinners. Food donations
may be dropped off at CBI. Questions? Contact Bonnie
Graff at 858-535-1111 ext. 3128.
New Alternatives
Group Homes: Group homes for troubled teens
The Polinsky Children's Center: Provides services to children who have been physically,
sexually, and/or emotionally abused, medically or physically neglected, and/or
have no parent or guardian.
Rachel's Women's Center
Provides a shelter for homeless and very-low income women.
The American Lung Association
Upcoming Social Action Projects
Ongoing Social Action Projects
Past Social Action Projects
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