Monthly Newsletter: January 2024 |
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Welcome to our Values in Action (VIA Isaiah) newsletter: Your quick guide to improving our community and the world at Temple Isaiah. For the newsletter archive, click here.
VIA ISAIAH IS…a collection of groups within Temple Isaiah who offer opportunities to temple members to serve those in need and to make our community more just through education, advocacy and direct service. Our efforts are grounded in the Jewish values of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. Everyone is welcome and needed in this effort.
A Huge Todah Rabah for the recent GOTV and Latkes Event
With over 40 people attending we heard you! Thank you for showing up and joining us for latkes, salads and a Getting Out the Vote (GOTV) jam session of ideas. It was such a great way to end what has been a difficult year, with community, latkes, laughter, song and candle lighting. What a wonderful turnout and energy our group has as we enter an election year, knowing the stakes are high and voter turnout must be higher yet. We recognize (and hope you did, too) the strength we have in the amazing VIA social justice warriors at Temple Isaiah.
More details of timing for GOTV Postcarding and opportunities will be forthcoming. We heard you and will plan afternoon and evening timings. Great suggestions!
“Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.” Pablo Picasso
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Sometimes, the impact of a person’s social justice activism, accomplishment and leadership isn’t measured by how much they do but how they do it. Anita Weil has done a lot by any measure when it comes to social justice, but it’s how she does it that truly sets her apart. Rarely does a meeting about a social justice project transpire that when it comes to the “who will do it” part, Anita’s name isn’t raised up as a likely candidate. If Anita is in the meeting, her hand shoots up as a “yes” and everyone breathes a sigh of relief knowing that the job will get done well, on time and with a humble, helpful spirit.
That’s Anita: the person who volunteers. The person who says “yes” and the person who quietly gets things done every time. Her attitude of humble service sets her apart. By her own admission, she prefers doing over sitting on committees and talking. Not that she doesn’t have great ideas, but she’s a doer. She gets stuff done. Anita’s been a Temple Isaiah member since around 1990.
Her early volunteerism has included:
· Co-chairing Winter Nights
· Co-chairing Mitzvah day
· Helping with getting out the vote
· Participating in the San Diego trip to the border
More recently and over many years, Anita has volunteered by:
· Weekly homework tutoring children in the Winter Nights program
· Serving on the ICARE committee
· Being the tech support behind the ICARE Sign-Up Genius site, which is essential to ICARE’s operations
· Leading these ICARE projects: Thanksgiving Fixings, JFCS Hygiene Kits and White Pony Express Food Recovery
We honor Anita as an exemplary model of social justice volunteerism and activism. The first words out of her mouth are, “How can I help?” Anita, thank you for all that you do under the radar. We know that’s how you prefer to operate, but we couldn’t resist telling the Temple Isaiah community about what you do and how you do it as you are a model for us all.
Kol Hakavod.
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Hope Solutions Join us at the Tenant Dinner – Temple Isaiah is hosting the Garden Parks Apartments dinner for 30 tenants (adults and children) and staff on Thursday, January 11, 2024. Please sign up to drop off a food item to the TI kitchen by 4pm on January 11. For more instructions in the sign-up, please click here.
Angel Network supports you when you are in need. We offer rides, visits, meals, phone calls, and supportive cards. We celebrate with you, too. For example, we give newborns a small gift. If you need us, please call the Temple office at 925-283-8575. Plus, we need you. To volunteer, email Greta Frantz at gf.angelnet@gmail.com or Denise Glicklin at dg.angelnet@yahoo.com
The Crayon Initiative turns leftover crayons into smiles for kids in hospitals, by recycling them through The Crayon Initiative. Keep waxed crayons out of the landfills. See the big picture at https://thecrayoninitiative.org/. Women of Isaiah is running a Drive at Temple Isaiah for crayons during January and February. Watch for the bins. For more information contact Phyllis Edwards lafwards5@gmail.com.
Women of Reform Judaism Pacific District NorCal Division on January 21, from 1pm to 4 pm will host Sharsheret for Area Day. Women from the greater Bay Area will gather to bake pink challah and hear from Sharsheret. Sharsheret is a non-profit organization that works to improve the lives of Jewish women and families living with or at increased genetic risk for breast or ovarian cancer. One of the goals is to provide busy boxes for the children of these women going through cancer treatment. If you are interested in contributing to a busy box, you can go to this link to choose items for the boxes: you can support Sharsheret’s Busy Box program, click the link, and shop from their Busy Box Amazon Wish List. https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/1GFJM4LBMV474
Get Involved in Bay Area Environmental Actions Receive useful information regarding local Bay Area actions and events dedicated to fighting the climate crisis.
Refugee Assistance Help settle newly arrived refugee families find work, enroll their children in school, become familiar with their surroundings, and more. JFCS needs help with the following:
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Welcome Team – be part of a team to welcome new refugee families.
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Legal Support – pro bono attorneys needed to help with Afghan asylum applications.
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ESL Tutors – in person or via Zoom.
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Grocery Shopping – buy groceries and deliver them to new refugee clients.
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Adult Bikes – Any condition welcomed.
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Gift Cards – Target, Visa, Amazon and Safeway are preferred but all are welcome. Send them to the JFCS office at 2151 Salvio Street, Suite 350, Concord CA 94520 attn: Volunteer Services
Contact Lisa Hirsch at lhirsch17@gmail.com if you have any questions or you are interested in helping.
ICARE: Plan Ahead and Volunteer at White Pony Express. Eight lucky volunteers will join their interfaith friends at White Pony Express to rescue, sort and pack food for delivery to people in need. We are partnering with the Baha’is of Contra Costa County on the first Sunday of selected months from 1 - 3pm. Be sure to volunteer on any of the following dates: February 4, April 7, June 2, August 4, October 6, December 1. Click here to sign up for this fun, meaningful volunteer project. Questions? Contact Anita Weil anita.weil@gmail.com or Ilene Scharlach ischarlach@aol.com.
Join the Multi-faith ACTION Coalition to tackle the root causes of poverty. People from all faith backgrounds meet to identify issues, research potential solutions, and advocate by meeting with elected local and state officials, attending legislative visits, supporting bills, and writing letters. Contact Doug Leich, leichd@gmail.com to be connected with the task forces you wish to join. https://www.multifaithactioncoalition.org/newsletter/2022
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Important Israel Update Details |
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Israel Support
Local Action: “Bring Them Home Now” Vigil
Temple Isaiah members have organized a daily vigil on the 24 overpass in Lafayette, and all members of the community are invited to join. The group will be there with banners, flags (American & Israeli) and signs calling for the immediate & safe return of all the hostages.
Weekday schedule: 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Weekend schedule: 11am - 1pm
Urge the UN Secretary General to Help Secure Release of the Hostages
The hostages have remained in Gaza, including women, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly. Urge the UN Secretary General to lead the international community to demand the release of all hostages being held in Gaza. Click here to write to the UN Secretary General.
Support Israel
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Donate to the emergency campaign of the Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund.
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Visit this link for a comprehensive list of local and Israeli organizations accepting donations to provide aid to Israel.
New Israel Fund The New Israel Fund (NIF) helps Israel live up to its founders’ vision of a society that ensures complete equality to all its inhabitants. Our aim is to advance liberal democracy, including freedom of speech and minority rights, and to fight the inequality, injustice and extremism that diminish Israel. https://www.nif.org/about
Additional Resources
JCRC has provided resources and guidance for schools and businesses to address the needs of the Jewish community at this time.
UnXeptable is a grassroots movement launched by Israel expats in support of a democratic Israel. We call on world Jewry to come together and preserve the democratic identity of Israel as the home of all Jewish people. Here are some actions you can take:
Participate in IRAC’s letter writing campaign to the Government of Israel
Join Arza! The Association of Reform Zionists of America is the Israel arm of our Reform Movement. Temple Isaiah is an Arza congregation. ARZA dues are just $50 per year and our support is critical right now. You can opt in to join ARZA and pay your ARZA dues when you renew your Temple annual commitment.
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Thank You to Rabbi Judy Shanks for Sharing Some Additional Places for Information and Comfort As We Prepare to Help Others and Ourselves Around the Tragedies of Events in Israel
Safe Harbor - https://www.jewcer.org/project/bayitalhayam - this is an organization using crowdfunding to empower and strengthen and heal displaced children and teens who are in a heightened state of uncertainty and chaos, using the sea.
Personal Ideas for You:
walking or sitting in nature, ex. UC Botanical Garden, Lake Temescal, Lafayette Reservoir
Listen to calming Podcasts ex. Courtney Martin or Suleika Jaoud is the wife of Jon Batiste and has a Blog called “Isolation Journals” or watch their documentary on Netflix.
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League of Women Voters Diablo Valley is providing a Moderator Training January 16,
7pm to 8:30pm. You can get prepared to join the Leagues live forum team as a moderator in preparation for 2024 Elections. Learn how to work with a nonpartisan organization to moderate at a forum. For More information contact Martha Goralka at voter.services@lwvdv.org
Podcasts:
Temple Isaiah’s Mental Health & Wellness Webpage has Spotlight articles that seek to educate and bring awareness to a variety of topics covering mental illness, addiction, spiritual well-being, and more. To access these articles, please visit https://temple-isaiah.org/community/mental-health-and-wellness/ and scroll down to
“Spotlights.”
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Mental Health Support for Adults
Monthly on Second Sundays at 3pm on Zoom
Upcoming Dates: January 14 at 3pm on Zoom
Whether you are going through a difficult period or have ongoing mental health issues, please join us for our monthly drop-in support group. We provide an opportunity to share and support one another as part of a nonjudgmental, caring community. Facilitated by Jacqueline Golub, a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at John F. Kennedy National University. Free of charge and open to our Jewish Community.
Meeting ID: 850 2107 4973
Passcode (current password available in Shavua Tov) or join by phone at (408) 638-0968
Mental Health Support for Family Members:
Next meeting is January 22, 2024
Fourth Mondays from 7 - 8:30pm online. Are you a parent, sibling, or child of an adult with mental health issues? This free drop-in support group provides information as well as the opportunity to share and support each other as you learn to help your loved one. Facilitated by licensed clinical social worker, Rosemarie Frydman, NAMI certified trainer Karen Cohen.
Tikkun Olam is NOW
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To contribute information to this monthly VIA newsletter, please contact co-editors
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