Your monthly news & updates
on how you can Tikkun Olam
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Dear TBE Tikkun Olam Community,
This week’s Torah portion, Beha'alotecha, contains a very special moment: The sharing of sacred leadership. Moses tells God that the role given to him is too much for one person. Moses holds the sole responsibility of being a “sacred leader”. At this point, Moses does share and delegate responsibilities to his judges, but he is the only one who leads with
ruach
. The word
Ruach
literally means wind, but is often associated with God’s presence. So God has Moses bring 70 elders up the mountain, and God “takes the
Ruach
that is on Moses and places it on the elders”.
While we are not able repeat this moment in the literal sense, I feel that we still have the opportunity to be “sacred leaders”.
Ruach
can be seen as the driving force behind our actions. It is in the heartbreaking story of separation or great loss. It is also in our successes, whether they be massive legislative victories or a change of hearts and minds. We are able to be sacred leaders by looking both inward and outward: asking ourselves how we feel about the world as it is, and acting to affect change into a world as it should be.
I hope you join us in these acts of Tikkun Olam throughout the summer, as we continue our own sacred leadership and repair our world.
L'shalom,
Sandy
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In our Tzedakah Box this month
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Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence
The TBE Congregants to Prevent Gun Violence (TBEPGV) is proud to be a founding member of the Mass Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence. We have helped make this state safer by helping pass legislation and fund primary prevention programs. The Coalition is looking to hire a full-time staff member that would greatly increase it's capacity to affect change.
Fun fact about this month's Tzedakah: As part of our Havayah (TBE 's Teen Community) Advocacy Night, our teens were empowered to select an organization for TBE's Tzedakah for a month. A big thank you to Havayah for continuing to address the injustices in our world.
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What did we collect? - Let's take a look at our impact
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Thank You for a successful Spring Drives!
Thank you for taking part in our most successful Spring Drives yet! We collected for over 7 organizations that help people in need. Here are a few stats to show our impact: We collected 200 travel sized toiletries, 10 giant boxes of diapers, and 7 bulging bags of feminine hygiene products and underwear. Also, over the year, we have collected over 500 cans of Salmon and another 500 boxes of cereal.
Finally, a big thank you to our drives coordinators:
Marisa Fisch,
Sarah Docktor, and
Julie Kreiss. If you are interested in joining our drives team next year, please respond to this email!
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Save the Date for Fall with CASA!
Saturday, September 22, ,10:00 am
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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 activities, while building community, fulfilling our promise of Tikkun Olam, and enjoying the season. RSVP to Amy Benjamin at the link.
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Family Social Action Group
Fall 2018
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Please welcome our two new co-chairs for TBE's Family Social Action Group, which organizes fun and meaningful volunteer opportunities for families with children in grades k-5:
Maya Florence and
Sarah Docktor.
We would like to thank
Hilda Lief and
Suzy Winneg for co-chairing FSAG for the past few years. Thank you for showing our children the power of Tikkun Olam, and for helping them grow into Mensches!
We are still planning for the fall. If you would like to receive email updates about our events, click on the link, and make sure to check the "Family Social Action" box. Please reply to this email if you are interested in assisting Maya and Sarah in planning an event next year.
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JF&CS Family Table
Fall 2018
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We would like to welcome our new liaison to Family Table, New England's only kosher food pantry:
Jennifer Lawrence.
Thank you to
Bonnie Sherman for serving as liaison to Family Table for the past several years! Bonnie has guided our community in becoming a large supporter of JF&CS by providing thousands of donated goods as well as volunteers.
Are you interested in volunteering with Family Table? At our Sunday distributions, for example, volunteers pack and deliver groceries to clients who are unable to drive or lack transportation. Learn more about volunteering with Family Table by contacting Jen at the link.
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TBE Literacy Program
Fall 2018
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We would like to welcome the new chair of TBE's Literacy Program:
Wendy Cultice.
We would like to thank
Judy Zimmerman for leading this initiative for the past 12 years! Judy has been able to build a strong relationship with the Potter Road School in Framingham, and our literacy volunteers have had a great impact on the school community.
Are you interested in volunteering with our Literacy Program? 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. Contact Wendy at the link if you are interested.
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Learning and Social Justice
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2018 Boston Jewish Food Conference: Living Off the Land
Sunday, June 10, 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm
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How do we reconcile our historical roots in the land and our contemporary reputation as "people of the book?" Join us at the 2018 Boston Jewish Food Conference where we grow our relationship with the land, and with each other. Learn more and sign up at the link.
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Immigration Justice Initiative Meeting
Thursday, June 14, 7:30 pm
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After a facilitated lunch conversation on immigration, we have three groups that are taking action. Interested in legislative advocacy, direct service, or accompaniment work? Have questions? Learn more about this initiative at our next meeting. RSVP to Sandy at the link or by replying to this email.
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Poverty Simulation, co-hosted by CJP and TBE
Wednesday, June 20, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm (at TBE)
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Based on an acclaimed model, the Poverty Simulation provides an immersive and interactive way to understand the challenges that people who are living in poverty — including those in our own community — experience everyday. Through CJP’s Anti-Poverty Initiative, we have learned that families and individuals in the Greater Boston Jewish community who seek help often live at or below the federal poverty level — with an average income of just $15,000/year.
During the simulation experience (which will include both a training and debrief), participants will assume the roles of several different families and will work together to survive one month in poverty. This is a simulation, not a game. While the experience cannot capture the full reality of living on a low income, it is a powerful introduction to the barriers and challenges that impact families in financial distress.
RSVP to Sandy at the link or by replying to this email.
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Interested in Defending Transgender Equality in Massachusetts?
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Did you know that there is a ballot initiative this fall to protect and defend transgender equality in MA? Although we live in a "blue state", this initiative will not be an automatic win especially because there is mounting opposition to the ballot with powerful negative messaging that the 2016 law allows men to enter women’s bathrooms, which puts women and girls in danger.
Freedom for All MA has called upon the Jewish community, which has been involved in the fight for LGBTQ rights for decades, to work on this campaign. If you are interested in this issue, please contact Sandy by replying to this email.
Join a group of TBE members who want to uphold dignity for our transgender neighbors.
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Celebrate our the Dedication of our Volunteers
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Congregational Meeting and Spring Celebration
Sunday, June 10, 5:30 - 8:00 pm
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Join us for an important and fun evening as we celebrate the dedication of volunteers across our community who make TBE the special place it is. For Tikkun Olam in particular, we would not be able to repair our world and make lasting change without the hard work of our amazing volunteers. The evening will also include a complimentary dinner, Hazon (vision) update, the President's Report, important votes, and dessert. RSVP by June 5 at the link.
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MA Criminal Justice Reform Bill is Signed into Law
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Sheri Kassirer, the co-chair of TBE's Racial Justice Initiative, shares her excitement about a big legislative win that will have a large impact in Massachusetts.
Page 3
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'Extreme Risk' Gun Bill Passes Massachusetts House
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A proposal allowing for the temporary removal of firearms from people considered a danger to themselves or others was overwhelmingly approved on Wednesday by lawmakers in Massachusetts. Kol Hakavod to our
TBE Congregants to Prevent Gun Violence for their hard work on this bill!
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Safe Communities Amendment passes in MA Senate budget
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After lengthy and emotional debate late Wednesday evening, the Massachusetts Senate adopted a budget amendment to restrict cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities.
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Help us and our partners repair the world!
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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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Ma'asim Tovim Group Leaders Needed
Volunteer alongside our 6th and 7th graders and guide them through conversations about social justice.
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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 TBE Members Doing Good Works
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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 seeks primary and speciality care physicians to provide advice, mentorship, and education via telehealth technology to clinic providers working in underserved communities. Join
TBE Member Lisa Bard Levine in this exciting and meaningful opportunity! Click the link to learn more or volunteer.
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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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