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.

"In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity." -Albert Einstein

February might seem like a shorter month, but VIA has opportunities to make a difference and meet the huge need for food at our local pantries with another food drive. Please bring shelf stable and non-expired food items to the donation barrels around the Temple Isaiah campus by February 6.

Come together for a modern celebration of Tu biShvat, the Jewish new year of trees. We’ll explore Jewish texts about our relationship to nature and the Jewish call to ensure that 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 biShvat 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. Click here to RSVP.

Monthly VIA Community Meeting

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 844 2588 4144

Passcode: sunbear42

Jewish Coalition for Literacy has been serving Bay Area children and families for over 20 years! Now 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 or to make a donation visit: www.jclread.org 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 is a caring community of volunteers dedicated to offering comfort and support to members and their families in times of need. When a need arises, please call the Temple office at (925) 283-8575. 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

For more details, visit temple-isaiah.org/values-in-action/angel-network/ 

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:

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.

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

Temple Isaiah’s Mental Health & Wellness Webpage has monthly Spotlight articles that seek to educate and bring awareness to a variety of topics covering mental illness, addiction, spiritual wellbeing, and more. To access these monthly articles, please visit https://temple-isaiah.org/community/mental-health-and-wellness/ and scroll down to “Monthly Spotlights.” Questions? Contact dimakieve@gmail.com

Plan ahead and mark your calendar for these exciting upcoming programs!

National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) has designated this Shabbat as Repro Shabbat. This week's Torah portion, Mishpatim, is often considered the basis for the Jewish approach to abortion. Join us as we re-commit ourselves to reproductive justice and access.

Each year, we take one Shabbat to focus especially on the plight of the refugee. Inspired by the work of HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) and our own Jewish history of entrenched in searching for places of refuge, we will lift up the on-going work to support refugees and displaced persons around the globe. Look for details in upcoming Temple communications.

RAC-CA is building a statewide Climate Tzedek campaign to achieve policies that will fulfill our climate leadership goals as Californians, as well as grow our communities into centers of practical and spiritual resilience and support. Watch for details and plan to attend with your fellow Temple Isaiah members. If anyone would like to help coordinate with this, please contact Dave Bressler davidibressler@gmail.com orJudy Carney at judy.carney0@gmail.com.

Our Mental Health and Wellness taskforce offers the following support groups that are open to all. Questions? Contact dimakieve@gmail.com or visit https://temple-isaiah.org/community/mental-health-and-wellness/

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.

Judy Carney at judy.carney0@gmail.com or Terri Moss at terrimoss55@gmail.com

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