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Your monthly news & updates
on how you can Tikkun Olam
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Dear TBE Tikkun Olam Community,
Welcome to the last Tikkun Olam Newsletter of 5777! As we move closer to the High Holy Days, I ask you to do two things:
1. Reflect on your actions. Think about an instance, a moment, this past year when you helped repair our world. This one "Mitzvah Moment" may have been easy or difficult, but know that your act of kindness or justice will have a profound impact, and may even lead to another.
2. Act on our tradition. It was only this past week's Torah portion, S
hoftim
, when we hear the rallying cry of "
Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof!
" - Justice, Justice, shall you pursue.
Shoftim
means "judges", and much of the torah portion is devoted to outlining the legal system. But we have to remember that individually and communally we are all judges, with a sacred duty to create (and uphold) a legal system
and
society devoted to the values of compassion and understanding. We don't need to be public official to make this world a better place. We just need to draw back the determination and, sometimes, courage from that one "Mitzvah Moment" this past year, and apply it whenever we witness injustice.
I hope you consider joining us in amazing these opportunities to reflect on our actions, pursue justice, and repair our world.
L'shalom,
Sandy
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Learn How to Get Involved!
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How to Get Involved Fair
Sunday, September 10, 9:00am-1:00pm (Drop in at any time!)
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There are so many ways to participate in our community, and Tikkun Olam is definitely one of them! Stop by and learn more about how you can repair the world with TBE. Talk with our initiative leaders about your passions to pursue justice.
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In our Tzedakah Box this month
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High Holy Day Hunger Drive
Help address the urgent need for food locally, nationally and internationally. As a result of this annual community-wide fundraiser, we are able to collectively make a substantial contribution to these organizations - together we can make a difference. Learn more about our partner organizations and donate at the link.
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Save the Date - Collections/Drives!
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Fall and Winter Collections
Starts October 1
Mark your calendars and drop off donations during our fall drives. We will have bins in the atrium for the following collections:
- Canned Salmon (or Tuna)
- Cereal
- Gently used Winter Outerwear including coats, mittens, boots and snowpants for all ages and sizes
- NEW unwrapped Toys for ages infant through teen
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CASA at Gaining Ground Farm
Saturday, September 23, 10:00am - 12:00 pm
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Join CASA as we start the New Year at Gaining Ground, a nonprofit organic working farm in Concord that provides fresh local produce to food pantries and hunger programs. We will assist in weeding, harvesting or other activities, while building community, fulfilling our promise of Tikkun Olam, and enjoying the season. RSVP to Ilene below.
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Learning and Social Justice
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Gun Violence Prevention
Help us fight concealed carry.
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Do you know anyone who lives in Virginia, New Mexico, West Virginia, North Dakota, Indiana or Missouri? Find out how you can play a pivotal role in stopping the "Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017", which would enable a person who can obtain a permit from any state in the nation to carry a concealed firearm throughout the country, even in states where the person would otherwise be barred from having guns at all, such as Massachusetts. Click the link to learn more!
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Don't Kvetch - Organize!
An Online Course in Community Organizing
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In Fall 2017,
JOIN for Justice will be offering a seven week online course, Don’t Kvetch, Organize! Guided by master trainers and instructors, you will examine different ways that community organizing has been used to build a more just world for all and how our Jewish tradition and history inform our own commitments and approaches to acting for justice. Sandy Aronson, TBE's Community Organizer, did a one-year fellowship with JOIN, which still has an impact on his vision and actions concerning Tikkun Olam at TBE.
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Support TBE Members Doing Good Works
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Act on Nursing Home Reform
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The Massachusetts Advocates for Nursing Home Reform (MANHR) is the only consumer advocacy group in Massachusetts fighting on behalf of people forced to live in nursing homes. We need your help to continue the effort to ensure quality care, safety and dignity in living for 40,000 Massachusetts nursing home residents. You can help by joining
TBE member Martin Alintuck and 1) clicking on the link below and making a contribution to the fight; 2) sharing the link with your friends and contacts on Facebook, Instagram, twitter and via email as the more people who see it, the more successful the campaign will be.
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TBE Physicians - Retired, Semi-Retired, In Industry and In Practice:
Use your clinical expertise and make a difference - join us for an easy, fun, flexible and rewarding opportunity! The MAVEN Project is seeking physicians to volunteer 4 hours per month to provide clinical consultative advice to communities with limited access to clinical expertise via telehealth. Join
TBE Member Lisa Bard Levine in this exciting and meaningful opportunity! Click the link to learn more or volunteer.
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Help us help repair the world!
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Ma'asim Tovim Group Leader
Work alongside our 6th and 7th graders in their direct service work as part of our B'yachad program!
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Volunteers Needed for TBE Literacy Program
Share your love for reading with children in a one-to-one setting. Join our literacy team at the Potter Road School in Framingham for a rewarding volunteer experience reading with a child (or two) for one hour during the week. No prior experience required.
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Support Congregants in Times of Joy and Sorrow
Our tradition tells us that deeds of loving kindness are equal in weight to all of the commandments. Learn more about opportunities to mark sacred moments and offer meaningful outreach to guide our community. The TBE Caring Community works in partnership with Cantor Sufrin and Rabbi Sherman and invites congregants to join our committees.
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Be a Big Brother or Big Sister
Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters, one of the nation’s oldest mentoring organizations, transforms lives through friendship. Be a mentor to children and adults with disabilities. Approximately 40 Little Brothers and Sisters, and a roughly equal number of adults with disabilities, are waiting on a right-fit match.
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Family Promise Volunteer Training
Sunday, October 15, 4:30pm
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Join a team of TBE volunteers to provide shelter, support services and sustenance to families who are homeless and working toward independent living. We volunteer to cook and/or serve meals, including interacting with the families. On October 15, TBE is hosting a training that is required for volunteers. Learn more by contacting Susan Westmoreland at the link.
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TBE Clergy Respond to Anti-Semitism and Hate
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Our TBE Clergy respond to the recent hateful events our nation has experienced. Read their letter and find out how you can join us in continuing to stand for our values.
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Syrian Refugee Resettlement Update
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Check in on the two Syrian Refugee families we are supporting! A lot happens over the summer - jobs, school preparation, and summer camp!
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The Heat Is On To Go Solar
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Phyllis Theerman & the TBE Green Committee talk about why you should follow TBE's lead and go solar. Learn more about EnergySage, a resource called the "Kayak or Expedia of Solar", and solar options for those who cannot put solar panels on their roof. You can read it by clicking the link for our September Bulletin and going to page 17.
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Along with our new newsletter, we are launching a calendar of all of our Tikkun Olam Opportunities, right on the website. In one central place, see how you can repair the world with TBE!
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What are Mitzvah Moments?
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This Mitzvah Moments monthly e-newsletter provides a monthly snapshot of upcoming Tikkun Olam events, with links to more information. The goal of the newsletter is to improve communication, lift awareness of Tikkun Olam events and provide opportunities for the TBE community to come together throughout the year to combine community, compassion and connection.
The ultimate goal of Tikkun Olam at TBE is to provide integrated “Mitzvah Moments” throughout the year which enable the whole temple community to participate in direct service opportunities, education about social justice, and/or collection drives—thereby linking our Jewish values to the act of doing/serving, compassionate giving, and affecting change—in ourselves and in the world around us.
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Tikkun Olam Youth and Community Organizer
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Vice President of Tikkun Olam
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