TAE Social Action
Making a Difference Together
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Highlights of this Month's Email - (Scroll for Details)
Shared Legacies Film Screening and Discussion with the Film Maker- Shari Rogers
July 27 - August 2
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School Supply Drive
July 12 - 30
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Lobby Against Voter Suppression
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Human Trafficking Myth Buster Panel
July 26
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Food Forward Presentation
July 13
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ADL Annual Supreme Court Review
July 8
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Challah Project
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Knitting and Crocheting for Charity
July 25
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Preemie Octopus Project
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Preemie Octopus Project and Chemo Cap
Collection until July 26
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Help the people in Surfside, Florida
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Shelter Meals
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Racial Justice Task Force
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Supporting Each Other - Small Groups
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Cultural Navigation Training Series
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Social Action Meeting
July 5
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TAE Congregants in Action
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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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SHARED LEGACIES FILM SCREENING AND DISCUSSION WITH THE FILM MAKER, SHARI ROGERS |
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Temple Adat Elohim is presenting a screening of this powerful movie highlighting the African American - Jewish Civil Rights Alliance. There are two ways to view the film:
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From your home - Click here to email a request to sign up to receive the link to watch the film anytime from July 27 - August 2
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In Person at TAE on Sunday August 1st at 6:30 pm- Click here to sign up to attend a screening in the Social Hall. Those attending must have proof of a Covid vaccination or negative test.
A discussion with the film maker - Shari Rogers - Following the 6:30 live screening on 8/1, there will be a discussion with the film maker via zoom. This will be available both to those in person and those choosing to log in via Zoom from home. Everyone signing up to watch the movie from home or in person will receive the link to the discussion which will start at approximately 8:10 pm on Sunday 8/1.
Watch the trailer
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Donate School Supplies for Local Classrooms
July 12 - 30
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Temple Adat Elohim is coordinating with Delta Kappa Gamma, a local educators organization, to provide school supplies directly to elementary students in need In the Conejo Valley. The collected items will be included in backpacks that will be provided to students when school starts in August.
We are collecting:
- Crayola Washable fine tipped markers
- Crayola Washable wide tipped markers
- Highlighters (any color) - thin tipped
- Highlighters (any color) - wide tipped
- Lined notebook paper - college ruled
- Lined notebook paper - wide ruled
Please do not substitute items or brands.
Please drop the items off to the collection box in the temple office between July 12th - 30th.Please bring a mask to wear when you are on the TAE campus. You can also order items on line and have them shipped directly to TAE at the following address:
Temple Adat Elohim
2420 E. Hillcrest Drive
Thousand Oaks CA 91362
ATTENTION: Social Action
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LOBBY AGAINST VOTER SUPPRESSION |
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Help lobby for Voting Rights for All
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Our Voter Rights Task Force has been hard at work. We completed 1000 postcards in the campaign to pass the For The People Voter Rights bill in the Senate and many of us have signed up for Virtual Visits to our Senators through RAC.org.
It is still not too late to get involved and protect voter rights.
If you are concerned about the preservation of robust voting rights for all Americans, there is a national grassroots lobbying campaign that you can jump right into. Whether you enjoy phone banking, text banking, post carding, or letter writing, regular opportunities are offered by these excellent national organizations. They provide training and numerous scheduled volunteer events that are easy to register for; just use either of the links below to start getting involved. Also, please let us know you're doing so or learn about other opportunities by clicking here.
Religious Action Committee of Reformed Judaism
Common Cause: Take Action with Common Cause
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HUMAN TRAFFICKING MYTH BUSTER PANEL DISCUSSION |
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In honor of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, the Ventura County Coalition Against Human Trafficking is hosting a panel that will discuss; Myths associated with human trafficking, local efforts to combat trafficking, action steps you can take, local resources, and Q&A with a panel of local experts actively working in the field of anti-human trafficking. |
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Hunger and Food Waste During the Pandemic
July 13 - 7 p.m. via zoom
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Hunger & Food Waste During the Pandemic
Rick Nahmias, Founder/Executive Director of Food Forward and Debbie Decker, Executive Director, COO of the West Valley Food Pantry will discuss hunger and food waste.
This event is presented by the Women's Alliance Los Angeles.
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ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE ANNUAL SUPREME COURT REVIEW |
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Thursday, July 8
9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
via zoom
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Join the ADL and The National Constitution Center for their Annual Supreme Court Review program which will be presented virtually. Supreme Court reporter Dahlia Lithwick will moderate a discussion among distinguished legal scholars Erwin Chemerinsky, Paul Clement, Frederick Lawrence, and Melissa Murray about the most important cases of the term, including voting rights, LGBTQ+ rights, church-state separation, and immigration. They will also discuss the changing dynamics of the Court and what to expect at the Supreme Court next year.
ADL is offering 1.5 CLE credits for this program at no cost. If you would like credit for this program, please sign up below. Credit will be provided in the following states: AK, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IL, LA, MO, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OR, PA, TX, VA and WA.
For all CLE related questions, please contact cle@adl.org.
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Nothing brightens up Shabbat like a freshly baked challah!!!
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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.
Contact our Challah Project if you.....
- Would like to receive a freshly baked challah
- Are able to bake a challah once a month
- Are able to deliver a challah
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The Challah Project continues to roll. Rabbi Diamond came down to thank the crew and to pick up a loaf for himself.
Thanks again to the COORDINATORS: Robin Hirsch and Nancy Federman & BAKERS: Karen Gorback, Melissa Lapides, Ellen Weitz, Penny Greenblatt, Dayna Hinderstein, Elisa Hirsch, Joan Bernick, Barbara Appell, and Serena Tobias. This month’s DRIVERS were Alana Getz and Nancy Federman.
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KNITTING AND CROCHETING FOR CHARITY |
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The 4th Sunday at 3 p.m.
Upcoming date:
July 25
We will be meeting via zoom.
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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 and someone will help get you started!
Currently we are making items for the following organizations:
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A local NICU nurse has requested handmade Octopus toys for the babies in the NICU. She said that the teeny tiny babies she cares for will grab their tubes and sometimes pull them out. It’s a natural reflex for them since, in utero, they will at times hold on to the umbilical cord. They found that when babies grasp the curly tentacles of the crocheted octopus, it mimics the cord and they don’t pull at their tubes. They are calmer, and have better breathing, heartbeats, and blood oxygen levels. The amazing idea of giving the babies a “Preemie Octopus” started in Europe. Click the link below to get the pattern. We will collect all completed projects until July 26 (see below). |
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DROP OFF COMPLETED CHEMO CAPS AND PREEMIE OCTOPUS TOYS - UNTIL JULY 26 |
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Please drop off all of the completed Chemo Caps and the Preemie Octopus Toys in the TAE office until Monday, July 26. Please bring a mask to wear when you are on the TAE campus. If you need to make alternate arrangements to drop off the items, contact socialaction@adatelohim.com. |
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HELP THE FAMILIES IN SURFSIDE FLORIDA |
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HELP THOSE AFFECTED BY THE COLLAPSE OF CHAMPLAIN TOWERS SOUTH IN SURFSIDE, FL |
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There are many wonderful organizations working to help those affected by the collapse of the Condo Complex in Florida. Here is a link to the Greater Miami Jewish Federation.
The Greater Miami Jewish Federation has opened an emergency assistance fund for the short and long-term needs of those in our community affected by the tragic collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside, FL during the early morning hours of Thursday, June 24, 2021.
Federation together with its partners — Jewish Community Services of South Florida (JCS) and Mishkan Miami: The Jewish Connection for Spiritual Support — will be providing financial assistance, chaplaincy support, crisis counseling and social services to people impacted by the tragedy.
We will continue to monitor the situation so we can provide ongoing help to those in need.
As always, Federation will absorb all administrative costs so that 100 percent of funds collected will be used to provide assistance to those affected.
Please participate in the community’s collective response.
Donation checks with the notation “Surfside Building Collapse” can be mailed to:
Greater Miami Jewish Federation
4200 Biscayne Boulevard
Miami, FL 33137
For more information about the Greater Miami Jewish Federation’s special relief funds, call 305.576.4000.
Thank you for your participation.
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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.
There are two ways to help.
- 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.
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If you would also like to help provide meals on other days of the week, visit the Harbor House sign up page. Currently, they have many open spaces.
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Last Monday, Cassidy and Sedona Miller (along with their mom, Alison), purchased the supplies and made lunches for Harbor House. Please use the sign up links above if you would like to help out! This is a great project for friends to do together! |
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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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THANK YOU TO DEBBIE LOPEZ |
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Debbie Lopez has been heading up the TAE Shelter Team for the past 19 years! Under her leadership, TAE has housed and fed the most vulnerable in our community by providing a monthly hot meal from April - November each year and providing overnight shelter and a hot meal every Sunday from December - March. We are so grateful for all that she has done for our community and the leadership example she has set for all of us. Although she is stepping aside as the leader, Debbie will still be around to help the wonderful shelter team with their work. |
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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 are on going. New members are welcome to join at any time. |
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Criminal Justice Reform
Harold Gordon, Chair
Voter Rights
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 and Marcia Gordon, Co-Chairs
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SUPPORTING EACH OTHER - SMALL GROUPS |
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Stressed?
Anxious about reopening?
Just looking for a friendly group to share life’s ups and downs?
We are here to help!
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TAEngage has coordinated groups for parents with ECC and school-age children, empty nesters and singles.
TAEngage creates lay-led small groups of congregants with shared interests that meet for a limited period of time.
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CULTURAL NAVIGATION TRAINING |
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Wednesday, July 14
Cultural Navigation
7 p.m. via zoom
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Temple Adat Elohim and Congregation Or Ami are partnering with April Powers and Kiyomi Kowalski for an important, in-depth training to prepare you for the world as it both is and is becoming. This is the last session in the 4 part series.
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SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING |
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The next Social Action Committee meeting will be
Monday July 5 at 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. |
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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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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 now 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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During the month of June, TAE members joined people around the world in the Ride for the Living which benefits the JCC in Krakow. Members rode, walked or ran the symbolic 60-miles from Auschwitz-Birkenau to the JCC in Krakow in celebration of Jewish life reborn.
A report from the JCC:
3,000+ participants from 36 countries came together to cycle, run, and walk almost 329,485 miles in honor of Holocaust survivors and the revival of Jewish life in Krakow.
The program concluded this past Sunday evening as Jonathan Ornstein, Executive Director of JCC Krakow, and Marcjanna Kubala, Director of Hillel Gimel Krakow, rode away from the gates of Birkenau to JCC Krakow. Jonathan rode “in tandem” with Bernard Offen, a 92-year-old Holocaust survivor of 5 concentration camps and friend of JCC Krakow, who just completed his own Ride For The Living 2021 experience from the safety of his own neighborhood in California.
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Voter Suppression has long plagued the U.S. election system, particularly impacting communities of color. Today, underrepresented communities continue the fight for equal access to the ballot.
The Temple Adat Elohim Voter Rights Task Force has coordinated TAE's participation in a postcard writing campaign. In June we are sending 1000 postcards to thank Arizona Senator Sinema for co-sponsoring S1, For the People Act and asking her to vote for S1 and to please do whatever it takes to pass it!! This will impact underrepresented voters of color in less contacted, rural counties. Our nonpartisian postcard campaign was coordinated through the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and RECLAIM OUR VOTE.
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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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