Social Justice is the unifying mandate of Reform Judaism, central to who we are and what we do in contributing to Tikkun Olam, repairing the world -- through direct service, Tzedakah (Righteous Giving), and advocacy.
Join us!
In the current Chai Lites, our Rabbi asks, “How will you commit to making Temple Israel a place of action, not just of words…Whether it with your time, talent or tzedakah (righteous giving), may we all look forward to find the multitude of ways in which we are each capable to move the congregation forward from a place of talking to a place of doing.” Your Social Justice Committee is committed to offering a menu of opportunities so that every member of the Temple Israel Family can fulfill the promise of Tikkun Olam. Commitment is indeed an act, not a word! ~ Paula Xanthopoulou, Chair
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The Temple Israel Food Drive is now in its 19th month because 38 million people face HUNGER every day and depend on food pantries to put food on the table – including college students! In August we are continuing to collect for the Miami Dade College/Wolfson Campus Food Pantry. It’s so easy to pick up an extra bag full of needed food items when you are grocery shopping. Please be generous, someone out there is truly depending on you!
NEEDED non-perishable items: peanut butter/jelly, crackers (i.e. Triscuits, Wheat Thins, Ritz), rice (1 or 2lb. bags), dry or canned beans (pinto, pink, black), grits, pasta/pasta sauce, canned tuna/chicken (preferably pull-off tops or vacuum packed), cereal (small boxes), protein bars, MICROWAVEABLE ramen/mac & cheese/Chef Boyardee Beefaroni/oatmeal, fruit/applesauce cups.
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Contributions can be dropped off at TI during Shabbat services/Torah Study/any on-campus event OR during office hours M-Th/9-5 PM and Fridays until 4 PM. To give from the comfort and safety of your homes, use INSTACART...Thank you!
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Temple Israel of Greater Miami
137 NE 19th St.
Miami, FL 33132
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Under the leadership of ED Ieshia Haynie (you may have met her at our Community Seder), the Overtown Optimist Club is doing amazing work to serve kids. It’s a hub of inspiring programs and activities…and we are honored to be a partner. During the 2-month Summer Program, the South Florida Symphony Orchestra provided music classes – Thank You, Jacqueline Lorber and Mark Nedlin! – and students were able to attend the last summer SFSO Chamber Music Concert in our sanctuary. Our commitment to all of our Overtown projects will be front-and-center during the High Holy Days…stay tuned!
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We have resumed our time-honored tradition* of serving dinner to Chapman Partnership residents and their children every 4th Monday of the month from 4:45-7:00pm. Thank you to Marc Lamb, Alice Miller, Jackie Greenberg, Suzie Sponder, Susan Hofstein and Paula Xanthopoulou for being there in July alongside our intrepid Chapman Supervisor, Luke. Your next opportunity to take a turn is Monday, August 22nd! To join our Chapman Team, please contact Elaine Litvak (elitvak273@aol.com). We sponsor that meal via the Charles Held Jr. Memorial Fund to Feed the Hungry, you can DONATE HERE. (*Temple Israel has partnered with the Chapman Partnership since its inception in 1996 as the Homeless Assistance Center.)
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Our voices in the upcoming elections are crucial as never before! The RAC non-partisan “Every Voice, Every Vote Campaign” is unfolding, across the country. First and foremost be sure that YOU AND YOUR FAMILY are registered to vote in the Florida Primary (8/23) and the General Election (11/8). Check your Miami-Dade Voter status HERE and get more election information HERE. If you do not live in Miami-Dade County, check your Florida status HERE. Stay in the RAC campaign loop by subscribing HERE. Be election ready, your vote counts!
[The Florida Primary is on August 23rd. Early Voting in Miami-Dade County: August 8th-August 21st – schedule with locations HERE. Early Voting Broward County: August 13th to August 21st from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day – locations HERE.]
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Our kids will face a shattering new reality when they head back to school. There will be missing rainbow safe space stickers on classroom doors. There will be empty shelves where books with LGBTQ characters or Black authors once sat. There will be honest history erased from the lesson plan. There will be missing family photos from their teachers’ desks. Equality Florida’s “Safe & Healthy Schools Project” works directly with 94% of Florida's school districts to establish life-saving programs to counter bullying, harassment, social isolation and bigotry. Help protect our children and teachers by donating HERE.
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Social Justice Committee: Gary Brown, Jacqui Carmona, Patty Craven, Raziel Levidis, Diane Lindner (VirtualTzedakah Box), Elaine Litvak (Chapman Team), Aidan McAdams (TIFTY), Alice Miller (Lotus House), Julia Monk, Is Perlman, Julie Scheingoltz (Religious School), Rebecca Stanier-Shulman (Unity), Suzie Sponder (Chapman Xmas Eve Mitzvah Project), Judith Stopek (Homestead), Tom Wharton, Paula Xanthopoulou (Chair), Julia Zaias.
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