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 by choosing one of our many volunteer opportunities!

THE TEMPLE ISRAEL FOOD DRIVE IS 2 YRS. OLD!

In honor of our 2nd Anniversary, we are circling back to the first recipient: Sant La Haitian Neighborhood Center – empowering, strengthening, and uplifting South Florida’s Haitian Community by offering services of all kinds from naturalization assistance to scholarships to tax preparation. Sant La’s support of the Haitian Community is unparalleled!

Each beneficiary of our Food Drive has specific needs: Rice, pasta, tomato sauce/paste, peanut butter, DRY beans, canned fruit or individual fruit/applesauce cups. (NO canned vegetables this time, please check the expiration dates.)

Contributions can be dropped off at Shabbat Services/any in-person event OR at the Temple office Monday – Friday, 9 AM to 3 PM. To give from the comfort of your homes, use INSTACART.

NOTE: Our bond with the Haitian community is longstanding, deep and personal. Per the graphic above, there will be a special mass on February 12th commemorating help given to the first refugees from Haiti 50 years ago -- the beginning of the Haitian story in Miami. Everyone is welcome.

Celebrate Black History Month in many different ways 

by checking the Miami-Dade calendar HERE.

SAGE – the world’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ elders – is expanding services for LGBTQ+ Elders in Miami…read all about it HERE!

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR. NO EXCEPTIONS. 

וְאָהַבְתָּ לְרֵעֲךָ כָּמוֹךָ

Loving our neighbors by being good neighbors is the basis of our ongoing Overtown volunteer programs – JOIN US!

❤️ We serve dinner every 4th Monday of the month at Chapman Partnership – next on February 27 (4:45 -7:00 PM). Join our Chapman Team by contacting Elaine Litvak at elitvak273@aol.com for an extraordinary community experience! (You can help underwrite that meal by making a contribution HERE to the Charles Held, Jr. Memorial Fund to Feed the Hungry. Thank you!)

❤️ ❤️ Temple Israel volunteers help in the Lotus House kitchen every 3rd Thursday from 11 AM - 2 PM (next on February 16th). Contact Alice Miller at alimiller3@gmail.com to join our Lotus House Team. Lotus House – “Where Hope Blossoms” – shelters 1550+ “guests” annually and is the largest shelter for women and children in the United States.



❤️ Temple Israel TIFTY member Lara Shulman continues her service as an after-school tutor at the Overtown Optimist Club – you, too, can help a child K-6th grades with their homework any day of the week from 4-6 PM. Please contact Rebecca Stanier-Shulman at staniershulman@gmail.com to volunteer for our Optimist Club Team! 

❤️ You can be part of the Dunbar School after school T.A.L.E.N.T.S. program in a way that suits your own talent, any weekday 3:30 - 5:30 pm. Contact Allison Weinstein at aweinstein@bellsouth.net to join our Dunbar Team.



“Acts of kindness never die. They linger in the memory, giving life to other acts in return.” - Jonathan Sacks (Optimism to Hope)

 “We are commanded to use our resources to help make the world a more just and compassionate place. While tzedakah is often translated as “charity,” it is derived from the Hebrew root tzadi-dalet-kuf, which means “justice” or “righteousness.” So much more than a financial transaction, tzedakah builds trusting relationships and can include contributions of time, effort, and insight – from which the giver benefits from giving as much or more than the recipients. Tzedakah is an ethical obligation central to Judaism and who we are.” (Temple Israel Social Justice Handbook)

Moms Demand Action (founded the day after the Sandy Hook tragedy) is a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures that can protect people from gun violence – for stronger gun laws and closing the loopholes that jeopardize the safety of families. MDA also works in local communities and with business leaders to encourage a culture of responsible gun ownership. Gun violence is preventable! (Look for Miami news HERE and take action HERE) 

Social Justice Committee: Gary Brown, Jacqui Carmona (RAC-FL), Patty Craven, Cindy Dawson, Elaine Litvak (Chapman Team), Aidan McAdams (TIFTY), Alice Miller (Lotus House), Julia Monk/Adam Roddy (Food Drive), Is Perlman (Keshet), Rebecca Stanier-Shulman (Overtown Optimist Club), Suzie Sponder (Chapman Xmas Eve Mitzvah Project), Judith Stopek (Homestead), Allison Weinstein (Dunbar School), Tom Wharton, Paula Xanthopoulou (Chair).