TIKKUN OLAM/SOCIAL ACTION
UPCOMING PROJECTS AND IMMEDIATE NEEDS
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"You are not required to complete the work, yet you are not allowed to desist from it."
(Pirkei Avot 2:21) |
UPCOMING PROJECTS
Make it Happen with Nothing But Nets
We invite you to join Make It Happen, a new philanthropic networking group under the auspices of CBI’s Social Action Committee. Nothing But Nets, our first project, is a global campaign to save lives by preventing malaria. Donating to this worthy cause is as easy as two clicks and just $10 can save a life.
Please go to www.nothingbutnets.net/makeithappen and click on the orange link in the text. Then click on the "donate to the team" button and make a personal donation (do not make the donation on behalf of an organization). You may also make checks payable to Nothing But Nets and mail them to Congregation Beth Israel ATTN : Make It Happen.
Thank you for taking the time to make a difference. We know that a lot of people doing a little something CAN Make It Happen. For further information please email either Laurie Spiegler , or David Hazan david@awscre.com, or Program Director Bonnie Graff .
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Hunger Project Needs Volunteers
Various Sundays at 9:00 a.m.
CBI continues its long history with the Hunger Project by providing volunteers to prepare and serve breakfast every Sunday from 9:00-11:30 a.m. Contact
at 858-535-1111, ext. 3500.
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Build Your Vocabulary and Feed the World's Poor
Go to: www.freerice.com today! Just by playing this addicting vocabulary game you actually donate rice to people in the world who need it most.
Who distributes the donated rice? The rice is distributed by the United Nations World Food Program (WFP). The World Food Program is the world’s largest food aid agency, working with over 1,000 other organizations in over 75 countries. In addition to providing food, the World Food Program helps hungry people to become self-reliant so that they escape hunger for good. Wherever possible, the World Food Program buys food locally to support local farmers and the local economy. We encourage you to visit the United Nations World Food Program to learn more about their successful approach to ending hunger.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Social Action Spring Collectibles Project
Thank you, Beth Israel! You made our Tikkun Olam Collectibles project a smashing success!!
On Sunday May 4, the combined efforts of a lot of people came together to build community and create positive change. About 20 volunteers and 20 students from the 6th grade Religious School class gathered in the parking lot at CBI to sort and pack the collectibles that congregants had donated during the month-long drive. All of the items will go directly to St. Luke’s Refugee Network, the organization helping Sudanese,Burmese and Bhutanese refugee groups to adjust to life here in San Diego after the hardships of cruel persecution and desolate refugee camps.
Our CBI storage bins were overflowing with quality items because of the generous contributions of our congregants, especially our religious school families! In about two hours, the hard working volunteers sorted and packed over 100 bags of clothes and about fifty boxes of toys, games, toiletries, books, household items, bedding and infant items. Several bikes, electronics and car seats were also included. St. Luke’s provided five trucks to carry off the bounty which was a great advantage and simplified the distribution.
Beth Israel congregant Kay Gurtin worked with John and Elaine McLevie of St. Luke's to coordinate the trucks and the help of some very capable volunteers from Sudan - Peter, Ronald and Steven. Madeline Cohen worked together with Dr. Harvey Raben, Rhona Gordon and Marisa Scheinfeld in promoting the month - long collection at the Religious School. Glenn & Maxine Farber along with Barry & Audrey Friedman organized and supervised the packing efforts. Morah Scheinfeld's sixth grade class deserve a big thank you for their energy and assistance in sorting the MOUNTAIN of donations! Thank you to our custodial staff who worked diligently to make the asphalt parking lot into a habitable work center! The "Spring Collectibles" is an annual event sponsored by the CBI Tikkun Olam/Social Action Committee chaired by Deb DeBow.
Paul Barrett Enlightens CBI Regarding American Muslims
 On Sunday, April 27, Paul M. Barrett discussed his book “American Islam: The Struggle for the Soul of a Religion,” before a packed audience in the CBI chapel. The impression left on those attending was that U.S. Muslims don’t resemble any other ethnic group as much as they reflect America as a whole.
“I enjoyed the presentation,” said CBI member and Aleinu instructor Sydney Wexler. “It wasn’t political, it was an insight into the people themselves. I was pleased with that, it didn’t take off on a political vein. He showed us they are like everyone else in their aspirations and ideas.” Wexler added that Barrett suggested “Our goal should be giving serious thought to reconciliation and how this can be affected.”
Barrett cited polls that indicate that the income, education levels, and political views of American Muslims are very similar to those of other middle class and upper middle class Americans. In addition, American Muslims are very diverse in ethnic backgrounds and their individual practice of Islam. Barrett also read from his book, which tells the story of seven Muslim families across America.
AniMeals a Huge Success!
"Our family was thrilled to find a Tikkun/Social Action project for all of us. After handing out flyers, we were deluged by the response. Our van was filled to capacity with donations to the Helen Woodward Center. We were proud to participate in this Mitzvah providing meals for pets of the homebound!"
-- Submitted by Elyse, Steve, Ashley, and Michael Starr
A grand thanks to all those who helped make the AniMeals food collection a fabulous success including the pre-school classes who shared their tzedakah money, Michael Starr for making AniMeals his personal mitzvah project, and the Bornsteins who brought in Sadie to share her tricks.
Contribute your Pennies to Habitat for Humanity’s new "Penny Lane Project"!
Morgan Couch and Kendal Blank, 7th graders in the CBI Religious School, are coordinating the Penny Lane Project with Habitat for Humanity on behalf of the CBI Social Action Committee. The girls state that this is part of their ongoing commitment to Tikkun Olam after becoming B’not Mitzvah. The national goal is to help raise 20 million pennies by December 31, 2008, which is enough to build one Habitat home for a local needy family.
Look for the Penny Lane House Receptacle at the Religious School on Tuesdays and Thursdays and contribute as many pennies as you can during 2008 for this very worthwhile project! You will also see the Penny Lane House at upcoming events and Religious School on Tuesdays and Sundays! Please drop in your pennies for Penny Lane!
For further information please contact Morgan Couch at 858 689-1936 or Kendal Blank at 858 481-0123.
SOCIAL ACTION CALENDAR
| Month of November |
Mama's Kitchen Food Collection |
| Nov. 16 |
Shabbat Keleidoscope with Rabbi Leonard Beerman |
| Nov. 21 |
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at First United Methodist Church |
| Nov. 22 |
PureFitness San Diego Cares Thanksgiving Day 5k Run/Walk |
| Dec. 4 - 13 |
Light Bulb Exchange |
| Dec. 9 |
Habitat for Humanity Sunday |
| Dec. 24 - 25 |
Volunteer for a Volunteer |
| Jan. 21 |
Martin Luther King's All People's Breakfast |
| Month of February |
AniMeals Pet Food Collection |
| Mar. 2 |
Environmental Awareness Program - Who Killed the Electric Car and Panel Discussion |
| Mar. 16 |
Purim Shelach Manot |
| April |
Darfur Program |
| April 27 |
Paul Barrett speaks on Islam in America |
| May 4 |
Mitzvah Sunday: Collections for Sudanese Refugee Network and Adopt a US Soldier projects |
| Jul. 19 |
San Diego Pride Parade |
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COMPELLING THOUGHTS
Social Action Shabbat on November 16, the first of this year's Shabbat Kaleidoscope series, featured Rabbi Leonard Beerman, rabbi emeritus of Leo Baeck Temple in West Los Angeles. Addressing Social Action Committee members at a dinner before services, Rabbi Beerman stressed the importance of religion as a positive force for change. While he acknowledged that organized religion has been a source of strife throughout history, he pointed out that far more lives have been lost out of zealous loyalty to nation-states.
Rabbi Beerman provoked the thoughts of many as he spoke to the congregation. Consistent with Rabbi Berk's view of social action to "disturb the comfortable and comfort the disturbed," Rabbi Beerman focused on the current state of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He presented his view that the wall put up by Israelis to restrict Palestinian movement is counterproductive and urged Israelis and other Jews to learn better how to use the power they have acquired over the last generation. He pointed out that there are several ways to solve a problem, and we don't have to latch on to one solution, especially if that solution causes pain and suffering. He used a story about a bee problem he had at his temple to demonstrate that killing the bees was one, but not the best, option. Just as his bee problem was resolved in a humane manner, he urged that the Israeli-Palestinian problems be handled in a humane manner that prevents the loss of lives and the loss of dignity (in those who survive).
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