Monthly Newsletter: January 2023 |
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Happy Secular New Year!!! Here’s to a new year of revitalized actions to improve our world
Welcome to our monthly 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. For details of what we do and who to contact, please click here.
“Do not harden your heart and shut your hand against your needy kinsman.”
–Deuteronomy 15:7
“After all is said and done, every person is drawn to certain individuals and institutions which for some reason seem to grab his [her] heart. This is how it should be. A person must follow his [her] heart in the service of God.” –Rabbi Avrohom Pam
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Everyone is invited to our monthly VIA Community meetings. Please get involved! There’s a lot of repair to do and it’s more fun and meaningful doing it together, as a community. Invite a friend!
There will be no VIA meeting in January. Come to Rabbi Lawrence’s installation Shabbat on Friday, January 20 at 6:30pm followed by oneg.
The next VIA Community meeting will be held Monday, February 27, 6:30-8pm in the Oneg Room and on Zoom.
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 844 2588 4144
Passcode: sunbear42
Join by phone at (408) 638-0968
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Gratitude to Our Social Justice Warriors |
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Thank you to all our Winter Nights volunteers! This year, TI hosted Winter Nights Family Shelter December 19-26. Click here for our wrap up email, including details on how many people volunteered and the guests we hosted. Please accept our deepest gratitude to all who made our guests’ lives more comfortable while they were with us. |
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Refugee Assistance through JFCS seeks helpers for newly arrived Afghan or Ukraine Refugee families to settle into their new home! Become a member of a Temple Isaiah team, to help JFCS enroll their children in school, help them find work, and become familiar with their surroundings etc. Please contact Lisa Hirsch at lhirsch17@gmail.com if you are interested or have any questions. JFCS can also use our help with the following:
1. ESL Tutors – This can be in person or via Zoom
2.Grocery Shopping for newcomers - buy groceries at your own expense and deliver
them to clients.
3. Adult Bikes – JFCS needs adult bikes in any condition.
4. Gift Cards – Target, Visa, Amazon and Safeway are preferred but they are grateful for anything. You can send them to the JFCS office at 2151 Salvio Street, Suite 350, Concord CA 94520 attn: Volunteer Services.
URGENT! Help a newly arrived young Afghan family find a job. This man is still looking for work. He has had extensive experience working with international organizations such as the U.S. Department of State. He has his green card, is eligible to work and speaks and writes English very well. He has worked in a variety of procurement and logistics jobs and has an excellent knowledge of international logistics rules and regulations related to procurement, warehousing and materials handling. He has also supervised the housekeeping, maintenance and janitorial staff for a large facility and has been an engineering assistant for an airline. Please contact Lisa Hirsch at lhirsch17@gmail.com with any opportunities, even entry level, that you may know of.
Free Online Tutor Training Sessions Start in January. Jewish Coalition for Literacy has been serving the Bay Area children and families for over 20 years! More than ever, kids are struggling to read at grade level. To learn more about JCL's one-on-one K-5 reading tutoring program, register for new tutor training, or to make a donation visit: www.jclread.org . Free on-line tutor training sessions are starting again in 2023: Tuesday January 10 3:30- 5:30 pm and Thursday January 19 10:00am-12:00pm . Contact Phyllis Edwards to learn about her experience with this rewarding program. (925)200-5239.
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
Angel Network delivers Mishe Bears to young families who have suffered a serious family illness, offers rides to Shabbat services and offers comfort and support to members in need.They need more volunteer drivers from around the area. Times are flexible. To get connected contact Greta Frantz at gf.angelnet@gmail.com or Denise Glicklin at dg.angelnet@yahoo.com
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Get Involved in Bay Area Environmental Actions. Receive useful information regarding local Bay Area actions and events dedicated to fighting the climate crisis. https://350contracosta.org
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Mark your calendar for two upcoming programs!
Join us for two upcoming programs this early spring, of special interest to our Social Justice Warriors:
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1-New Growth: A community-wide celebration of Tu BiSh'vat, hosted by ViA (Values in Action) and Rabbi Lawrence
Monday, February 6, 7-8:15pm in the Social Hall
*Please bring food bank contributions as able*
Come together for a modern celebration of Tu BiSh'vat, the Jewish new year of trees. We’ll explore Jewish texts about our relationship to nature and the Jewish call to ensure all people can enjoy nature’s bounty. We’ll share wine, fruits, nuts, and other noshes, savoring Creation and giving thanks to our Creator with the blessings of the Tu BiSh'vat Seder, modeled on the Passover Seder. Please bring food items as you’re able for food banks to aid the hungry – a critical mission especially now, deep into winter. And we’ll sing together with guitar. Come join for an evening of giving, study, and renewal.
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2-RAC-CA Extended Bay Area Regional Gathering
Sunday, Mar. 19, 10:30am – 2:30pm at Sherith Israel, San Francisco
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Mental Health Support for Adults: Second Sundays from 3-5pm online. Whether you are struggling with Covid, going through a difficult period or have ongoing mental health issues, join us for our free monthly drop-in support group. We provide an opportunity to share and support one another as part of a nonjudgmental, caring community.
Mental Health Support for Family Members: Fourth Mondays from 7-8:30pm online. Are you a family member 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, and Diana MaKieve.
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To contribute information to this monthly VIA newsletter, please contact co-editors
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