Your monthly news & updates
on how you can Tikkun Olam
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Dear TBE Tikkun Olam Community,
Instead of my usual dvar on the weekly Torah portion, I want to quickly share a more personal reflection from my recent seminar to Israel with Hornstein, my graduate program. A larger theme of the trip was
Mifgash,
literally "meeting" in hebrew, which better translates to a genuine personal encounter. Though we met with amazing leaders and spokespeople, by far the greatest moments were those that were centered on relationship: the one-to-one and small group conversations with people who saw themselves just as individuals living through an experience. When we build relationships with people on the ground, we establish a connection that is sustained by learning from each other, a connection that can have a long-term impact should we properly invest in it.
All too often in social justice work we focus on the spokespeople, those with power, or perhaps those who only contain a bird's-eye view. Or even worse, we focus on the issue and the facts, and leave out the people who are affected. Let us not ignore the people on the ground who hold the stories and raw emotion of the issue. By bringing these perspectives to the fore, and by sustaining these connections, our relationship with the issue itself transforms from being transactional to relational. And through these relationships, we grow our power. In essence, if our work has no
mifgash
, our impact can only be so large.
I hope these opportunities below not only allow us to repair the world, but also empower us to seek new relationships, and sustain current ones.
L'Shalom,
Sandy
**Please Note: this email may be too long for your email provider. Look for the "[Message clipped] View entire message" link at the bottom**
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Supporting our Jewish community in need
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Join us at the JF&CS Family Table Distribution
Sunday, March 15, 10:00 am
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Come volunteer at New England's largest kosher food pantry, Family Table. During this volunteer opportunity, you will pack and deliver groceries for families in Greater Boston. We will also have some coffee and bagels out to start the day!
To volunteer, please contact Jen Lawrence at the link ASAP (as some paperwork is required to volunteer).
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In our Tzedakah Box this month
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Winter Walk Boston
The Winter Walk is a 2 mile walk that supports Boston's homeless population and raises awareness about homelessness in our community. Click the link to donate to the TBE team! Every donation and dollar raised towards this effort to end homelessness makes a difference. Every amount counts.
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On the Horizon - Tzedakah
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Yad Chessed
TBE will be collecting donations for Yad Chessed, an organization that provides emergency assistance and food support for our Massachusetts Jewish Community. They support Jewish individuals and families by alleviating economic distress and helping them reach financial stability, all while working to preserve the dignity of each individual client. On Purim, which is fast approaching, we have the obligation of Matanot L’Evyonim (“Gifts to the poor”). This is a wonderful opportunity to fulfill this mitzvah and help Yad Chessed provide good assistance to our neighbors. We are asking our members to bring in a check made out to “Yad Chessed”.
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What we are Collecting this Month
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Family Table
Family Table is Greater Boston's only Jewish food pantry. As a community, each month we are responsible for supplying 50 cans of salmon and 50 boxes of whole grain cereal for families in need. Please bring in a can of salmon or a box of cereal the next time you come to TBE!
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The Winter Walk for the Homeless
Sunday, February 9, 8:30 am - 11:00 am
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Join the TBE Team at The Winter Walk, an event raising funds and awareness towards ending homelessness. Funds raised support a number of services that work to prevent, support and care for Boston’s Homeless population. The event is a 2-mile walk through the streets of Boston that begins and ends on Copley Square. Walkers will walk alongside homeless and formerly homeless participants and then will share a meal together while listening to real stories of Boston’s homeless community. Learn more and register at the link!
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Family Social Action and Mindfulness Event
Sunday, February 29, 3:00 pm, 4:15 pm
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Join us at TBE on Leap Day, for a day of giving back and turning inward, together. Families are encouraged to come for all, or some, of the events, and do not have to commit to all three to participate.
At 3:00 pm, the Family Social Action Group is sponsoring a project to decorate and assemble snack bags that will be to A Place to Turn (a food pantry in Natick that supports local families) and distributed for children in need to take to school. This event is fun for kids of all ages.
At 4:15, the Mental Health Initiative is sponsoring a yoga experience, lead by a Down Under instructor, meant for the whole family to enjoy together.
Following yoga, we will close the day with a Havdalah service led by Rabbi Saphire.
RSVP to Sandy via the link or by replying to this email - you can rsvp for either or both of the events.
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CASA Anniversary Reception: Film & Discussion with Ashley Stanley of Lovin’ Spoonfuls
Sunday, March 1, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
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CASA, our Community of Adult Social Action, is proud and humbled to be marking its tenth anniversary - ten years of bringing temple members together to build our community while supporting those in need. Whether you’ve been a CASA volunteer or not, we hope you’ll join us.
We will have a brief reception to mingle and connect, and then we’ll watch the informative and moving film, “A Place at the Table.” Following the showing, we will learn directly from food-rescue pioneer Ashley Stanley, Founder and Executive Director of Lovin’ Spoonfuls. Learn more and RSVP at the link!
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Volunteer with our TBE Literacy Program
Ongoing
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Do you love to read? Would you like to share your love of reading with children in a one-to-one setting? Please consider joining our Literacy team for a rewarding volunteer experience reading with a child (or two) in grades K to 4 for one hour during the week. Our Temple Beth Elohim Literacy Team is beginning its 21st year of volunteering at the Potter Road School, our partner school in Framingham. You choose any day that fits your schedule. No prior teaching experience is required…just a desire to help a child improve their reading skills.
Learn more by contacting Wendy Cultice at the link.
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Learning and Social Justice
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Responding to anti-Semitism and Hate
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TBE’s initiative to combat anti-Semitism and hate continues to build in momentum and draw an increasing number of participants from our community. Our recent work includes: further collaboration and advocacy with the ADL, continued education at TBE with Facing History and Ourselves, partnership with local town leaders, and relationship building with other communities of faith. If you are interested in taking part in this initiative, please reply to this email.
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Information Session: Civil Rights Journey
Monday, February 10, 7:00 pm
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By popular demand, we are organizing another Civil Rights Journey to Atlanta, Montgomery, Selma, and Birmingham from May 14-17. This past November, 79 congregants shared this inspirational and informative trip to explore not only the poignant history of the Civil Rights Movement but also the continuing legacy of slavery, Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and mass incarceration today. Join us to learn more about the trip. Learn more (including itinerary and FAQs) and rsvp at the link!
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Green Team Meeting
Thursday, February 13, 7:30 - 9:00 pm
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We will discuss progress on present projects, and welcome suggestions for future initiatives. We will also share information about sustainability. TBE Green Team members help ensure our building and community are environmentally sound and sustainable. Educate our community to protect the health of our planet and all who inhabit it. Learn more on our website and RSVP to
Sheryl Goodridge at the link!
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Jesus in the Black Church
Monday, February 24, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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Minster
Ed Gaskin will provide an insight for those of us unfamiliar with worship in the Black church. We will look at the role Jesus plays in the music, preaching, praying and social ministry of Black churches in general. This is not a lecture on theology or apologetics but rather an orientation on the experience of the typical layperson. RSVP at the link!
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"Helping Refugees 'Do Life in America'"
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Raquel Rosenbloom reflects on her time volunteering with refugees.
Read more in the February Bulletin, page 4!
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Vote in the World Zionist Congress Elections and Help Elect Rabbi Sisenwine as a Delegate on the ARZA Slate
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Learn about this crucial election, and how you can make a difference.
Read more in the February Bulletin, page 10!
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Ronni Michaelson reflects on the recent Racial Justice Initiative Civil Rights Journey to the south.
Read more in the January Bulletin, page 3! (and be sure to check out
our new trip coming up in May!
)
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"Riding for Sustainability and Peace"
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Eric Ruder shares his experience on the Israel Ride, a 200 mile bike ride from Jerusalem to Eilat supporting the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies.
Learn more on TBE's new blog at the link!
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Tzedek Reflection Gathering on Combating White Nationalism
Sunday, March 15, 2:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Temple Isaiah, 55 Lincoln St, Lexington, MA 02421
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"Where Otherness, Antisemitism, and White Nationalism Meet: Understanding Implications and Crafting Strategies for Social Justice Work in our Congregations"
Our goals for this Reflection are to bring people together across congregations and Jewish communal organizations to:
- Understand the roots of White Nationalism and its connection to antisemitism and racism;
- Highlight the imperative of partnering with others -- fighting for others as we fight for ourselves;
- Help congregants transcend their silos to see how our individual social justice efforts fit together; and
- Explore pathways to action
TBE is an active member of the Tzedek Reflection steering committee, the only Jewish social justice forum in Greater Boston, bringing together all denominations to learn, share, and inspire one another to repair the world.
This event is in partnership with JALSA (The Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action), a local Bend the Arc Affiliate.
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Portraits of Resilience, with Dr. Daniel Jackson
Monday, March 16, 7:00 pm
Temple Isaiah, 55 Lincoln St, Lexington, MA 02421
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MIT professor Dr. Daniel Jackson will discuss his book of portraits of those in his community who have struggled with depression and anxiety and their journeys to recovery. His work brings to light the millions of people who face a mental health challenge and the wisdom and courage used to battle this illness. Dr. Jackson has been working with the Greater Boston Jewish community on this issue as well. RSVP at the link!
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Make a Difference with our Partners
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Portraits of Resilience, with Dr. Daniel Jackson
Wednesday, March 11, 7:00 pm
Temple Shalom, 175 Temple St., Newton, MA 02465
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The Women of Reform Judaism's Reproductive Health and Rights Campaign presents "THE POLITICS OF ABORTION: protecting abortion rights in Massachusetts and beyond." Learn about the ROE Act, which will help protect and expand abortion rights in Massachusetts. We will hear from Senator Cynthia Creem and experts on this issue. RSVP at the link!
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Pursuing Justice 2020 - Bend the Arc’s National Conference
May 3-5, Washington D.C.
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Bend the Arc’s national conference will bring together progressive activists and organizers who root their work in Jewish values for three days of learning, connection, and solidarity in Washington DC. Please contact
Isabel Silverston with any questions!
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Help us and our partners repair the world!
Join these ongoing opportunities!
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Be a Big Brother or Big Sister
What does it take to change a life? A few hours, twice a month. A favorite hobby. A trip to a
museum. A game of pick-up basketball. A shared meal or visit to the ice cream shop. Volunteer
with Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Boston to change lives through the giving of
your time, your energy, and your passion. Be matched, 1:1, with a child looking for a mentor, or
an adult with disabilities looking for a friend. Learn more about how JBBBS has helped people
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Volunteer at Centre Street Food Pantry in Newton
Centre Street Food Pantry's mission is to provide families with consistent access to nutritious food in a dignified and sensitive environment. As many as 85 families shop each time they open! They are looking for volunteers to help during pantry hours: Tuesdays 12:00-1:30 pm and 3:00-8:00 pm, and the first Saturday of the month 11:00am-2:00pm. Shifts are available in 2 hour increments and you can come as often or as little as you want. For more information, contact Risa Shames at the link.
Contact Risa Shames for more information
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Support TBE Members Doing Good Works
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MAVEN Project - Doctors: Volunteer and make a differece
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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 important opportunity! Click the link to learn more or volunteer.
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Tikkun Olam Calendar! (NEW!)
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Our new website allows us to have 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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