TAE Social Action
Making a Difference Together
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Highlights of this Month's Email - (Scroll for Details)
Coping During a Pandemic and Post-Pandemic Age
April 11
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Blood Drive
April 11
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Shoes that Fit
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Cultural Navigation Training Series
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Racial Justice Task Forces
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Challah Project
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Knitting and Crocheting for Charity
April 25
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Drop off completed Knitted/Crocheted Baby items
April 26
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AJU/ADL Conversation about Hate
April 21
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United Way - United to End Homelessness
April 9
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TAE Congregants in Action
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James Storehouse - Mentoring Foster Youth
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Miry's List - Helping Refugees
Sahah - Tutoring
Thrive - Orientation workshops
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Action VC
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Shelter Meals
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Jewish Council for Public Affairs - National Conference
April 25-26
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Social Action Meeting
April 5
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TAE Social Action T-Shirts for Sale
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TAE Caring Community
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We hope that everyone is well during these challenging times. Although we have not been able to meet in person, there are many opportunities available to help others. Watch the weekly TAE-News and visit www.AdatElohim.org/socialaction to learn about TAE social action opportunities. The information changes regularly, so please check back often!
Marcia & Harold Gordon - Social Action Co-Chairs
socialaction@adatelohim.com
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COPING TOOLS for a PANDEMIC and POST-PANDEMIC AGE |
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You have the unique opportunity to save someone's life. Blood donations are needed now more than ever before. |
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Watch this video to hear first hand what it is like to donate blood and why it is important |
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This video was made prior to Covid-19. Vitalant has a Covid protocol in place (wearing masks, distancing and cleaning etc.). To learn more, click here.
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Call or text Joyce Bloom at 818-326-0122 to sign up |
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Provide a pair of shoes for a child in need
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Children are returning to campus - many of them, wearing shoes that are too small, have holes or are worn out.
When you give a child a pair of shoes, you give them so much more. Hope. Dignity. Joy.
Schools have reported:
- 87% increase in self-esteem
- 70% increase physical activity
- 56% improved behavior
TAE will be providing shoes to 30 low income children at Thurgood Marshall K-8 school in Oxnard.
We will be receiving the names/sizes for the children in mid-April.
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Please sign up now - to indicate that you would like to purchase a pair. We currently still have 19 children who need shoes.
- After signing up, you will get an email in mid-April when the names/sizes of the children have been posted and you will select which child you would like to buy for.
- After you have selected the child, purchase the shoes and drop them at TAE at the end of April (the exact date - TBD).
- The shoes will be delivered to the children the first week in May.
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CULTURAL NAVIGATION TRAINING SERIES |
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Temple Adat Elohim is partnering with Congregation Or Ami and April Powers and Kiyomi Kowalski on this exciting and important project. |
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Mindful businesses and organizations recognize that success today is tied to how well we navigate the cultural interactions we have. In a world of increasing awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), we seek to promote our commitment to DEI, expand our understanding, and avoid missteps. Join April Powers and Kiyomi Kowalski, co-founders of JewbianPrincess.com, for a high level, in-depth training to prepare you for the world as it both is and is becoming.
This series is perfect for anyone who wants to get along with other human beings. Whether you are an individual or a team, this training explores the skills to have more successful interactions with people who look, think, and work differently than you.
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RACIAL JUSTICE TASK FORCES |
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Racial Justice Task Forces are open to all TAE members and ECC families
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We have 4 racial justice task forces that are researching issues, creating and implementing action plans. The task forces meet regularly and will be on going. New members are welcome to join at any time. |
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Criminal Justice Reform
Harold Gordon, Chair
Voter Suppression Reform
Susan VanVleet &
Diane Lipson, Co-Chairs
Education Reform
Arianne Walker & Susan Drapkin, Co-Chairs
Inclusion at TAE
Our TAE Inclusion task force is working to ensure that all feel welcome in our community.
Cyndi Levinson, Chair
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Nothing brightens up Shabbat like a freshly baked challah!!!
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We are especially in need of people to pick up the Challah from the bakers and deliver them to congregants. |
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Our Challah Project connects TAE bakers with those who are in need and would like to receive a challah once a month on Shabbat.
On March 5, 22 challot were baked by 9 TAE congregants and delivered by 7!
Contact our Challah Project if you are in any of the following groups:
- You would like to receive a freshly baked challah
- You are able to bake a challah once a month
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You are able to deliver the challah to our congregants once a month.
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KNITTING AND CROCHETING FOR CHARITY |
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The 4th Sunday at 3 p.m.
Upcoming date:
April 25
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Join us as we make scarfs, hats and small blankets that will be gifted to local charities for distribution.
You don't need to know how to knit or crochet. Bring your yarn and needles to the zoom meeting and someone will help get you started!
Currently we are making items for the following organizations:
1. Community Holiday Dinner for December 2021 – adult/child sizes hats, scarfs and blankets. We will collect these in November/December 2021. (The need is greatest for adult sizes.)
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COLLECTING COMPLETED KNITTED/CROCHETED BABY ITEMS |
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Drop off completed knitted or crocheted baby items for Newborns in Need
April 26 4-6 p.m. at TAE
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We will be collecting the baby items for Newborns in Need on April 26 from 4-6 p.m. at TAE. Just drive through the front of the parking lot and drop off your items. If you cannot make it that day, please email socialaction@adatelohim.com.
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AMERICAN JEWISH UNIVERSITY (AJU) and
the ANTI- DEFAMATION LEAGUE (ADL)
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AJU Presents a conversation about "The State of Hate"
Wednesday, April 21 12 p.m.
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Join Jonathan Greenblatt, National Director and CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, in conversation with AJU President Jeffrey Herbst. They will be discussing the state and evolution of hatred and antisemitism and the ADL’s role in combatting prejudice.This important conversation on The State of Hate is hosted by American Jewish University.
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SYMPOSIUM ON HOMELESSNESS |
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Author and Pulitzer Prize Winner, Dr. Matthew Desmond, will graciously join us and kick off this symposium as the keynote speaker.
Following a Q&A session with Dr. Desmond, Henry Dubroff, editor of the Pacific Coast Business Times (PCBT), will moderate a local panel of experts to continue the conversation.
Panelists include: Julia Brownley, U.S. representative (CA-26); Mike Powers, CEO, County of Ventura; Henry Stern, California state senator (SD-27); Nancy Grygiel, senior vice president and chief compliance officer, Amgen; Emilio Ramirez, housing director, City of Oxnard; and Amy Duganne, director, homelessness initiatives, United Way of Ventura County.
While many virtual events have the ability to be recorded for future viewing, United Way of Ventura County stresses that this is a one-time live event in which Desmond’s portion will not be recorded. General admission event tickets are $25, and a limited number of premium tickets, which include an autographed copy of “Evicted,” are available for $100.
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Every month we would like to highlight TAE members who are volunteering in the community. Please contact us at socialaction@adatelohim.com to share your story (or that of a fellow TAE member) so we can include it in our future newsletters!
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JAMES STOREHOUSE MENTORING FOSTER YOUTH |
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Opportunities to Mentor Aged-out Foster Youth
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Foster youth who turn 18 years old while still in the system are considered “aged-out.” Without support from caring adults, a very high percentage of these youth quickly become homeless, trafficked, or incarcerated. However, with support and guidance, these youth can beat those odds and move toward a future filled with possibilities. James Storehouse has set up mentoring programs to provide these youth with a connection to someone they can trust. |
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MIRY'S LIST - SUPPORT FOR NEW REFUGEES |
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Miry's List is a community of volunteers that uses crowdsourcing and social media to connect people like you, who want to help, with new refugee families with urgent needs to help them start their new lives as our neighbors in Southern California. |
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"SANAH" (Serving American Newcomers at Home) is a program where new arrival families are gifted a laptop and matched with a trained ESL tutor for 12 weeks of online one-to-one classes. They are currently looking for people interested in tutoring new arrivals. |
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"THRIVE", offers new arrival families personal and professional development courses and workshops online taught by experts volunteering their time.
THRIVE courses are 6-12 weeks and available online, covering a variety of professional and personal development topics.
We are seeking THRIVE course instructors and one-off workshop leaders about American culture and customs. THRIVE will give new arrival participants meaningful tools and skills for employment pathways, personal development, and networking opportunities. Our THRIVE volunteers are able to connect with and help new Americans directly by sharing their time and expertise.
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ACTION VC is a Conejo Valley non-profit. They bring together individuals, churches, businesses and agencies to serve the vulnerable in our communities - those who often fall through the cracks. Throughout the year, they connect local volunteers with meaningful projects to serve under-resourced seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. |
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Are you familiar with building ADA compliant ramps & stairs? Have you installed handrails or grab bars? We are looking for volunteers who are familiar with building and construction work, and who can help lead team accessibility projects! Our leaders are knowledgeable, confident and proactive, but most of all, are excited about our mission to love our neighbors of Ventura County well. Team players are also needed! If you are a skilled volunteer or know of anyone wanting to help restore independence to the disabled, we want you a part of our team!
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Emergency to-go
Dinners for the Most Needy in our Community
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Since mid-March of 2020, when all of the houses of worship closed, the nightly meals that had been provided to those in need in our community have been replaced by emergency "to-go" dinners distributed by Harbor House. Temple Adat Elohim members are providing to go dinner bags and cases of water every Monday. The shelter committee sends out an email as sign-ups are needed. If you would like to be on this email list, please contact the shelter committee at taeshetler@yahoo.com.
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Harbor House is also in need of the following donations. If you can help, drop off your donations at Holy Trinity Church 1 W. Avenida de los Arboles in Thousand Oaks (in the parking lot near Mt. Clef Blvd.) from 4 - 4:30 p.m. any day of the week.
- Cases of water bottles
- Granola bars (soft)
- Beef jerky packs
- Chips (individual packages)
- Cookies (individual packages)
Or you can purchase items from their Amazon Wish List and have them sent directly to Harbor House.
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JEWISH COUNCIL for PUBLIC AFFAIRS NATIONAL CONFERENCE |
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JCPA2021 is an opportunity to hear from experts, learn best practices and effective strategies, and hone skills to be effective advocates and integral intergroup partners.
Justice and Equity ● Racial Justice ● Immigration ● Criminal Justice Reform ● Democracy and Voting Rights ● Poverty ● Racism and Antisemitism ● Israel and World Affairs ● Jewish Unity ● Religious Liberties ● Civic Engagement
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There is a fee to attend. |
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SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING |
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The next Social Action Committee meeting will be
Monday April 5 - 7 p.m.
via Zoom
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All members are invited to join us to learn more about TAE Social Action, bring new ideas, help plan upcoming events and get involved. Our meetings will be held the first Monday of each month. |
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TEMPLE ADAT ELOHIM T-SHIRTS |
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Temple Adat Elohim - Making a Difference Together T-shirts are now available for purchase!
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Get your t-shirt so you can wear it with pride every time you volunteer. We hope everyone will have a shirt so that we can show our TAE spirit when we can once again volunteer in the community. Shirts are $23 and can be ordered here.
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Caring Community of TAE needs your help!
Our Caring Community is dedicated to reaching out to those in our TAE community who are in need.
Do you have some time to make a few phone calls to people who are in need to let them know that their TAE family is thinking of them? Do you have time to visit remotely with people who are in need of some contact while they are ill? If you can help, please contact Cantor David at dshukiar@adatelohim.com (805) 497-7101. Please also contact Cantor David if you know someone in need.
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Thank you to Joel Strote who shared his experiences with us about the time that he volunteered as a lawyer to help at the Detention Center in Dilly, Texas and to Rabbi Diamond and Cantor Shukiar for the lovely Refugee Shabbat. |
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THANK YOU TAE FROM MANY MANSIONS |
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At the Purim CAR-nival, TAE members played the carnival games from their car with items that were later donated to Many Mansions and Harbor House. We donated 300 rolls of toilet paper to Many Mansions; 300 pairs of socks and toothbrushes and toothpaste to Harbor House. Additionally, 800 pounds of food was donated to Manna Conejo Food Pantry. |
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This monthly Social Action e-newsletter is sent from the Social Action committee at the beginning of each month. It includes upcoming social action opportunities that are available to the TAE community. We invite all TAE members to find your place in TAE Social Action. We hope that you will find a project (or many!) that touches your heart. There is something for everyone.
If you have charities or projects that you support, please share them with us at socialaction@adatelohim.com. We might be able to involve others in a project that is important to you!
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