VOTE September 14!
We have a special election in California to determine if California voters wish to recall Governor Newsom. Civic engagement is a Jewish value. Make your voice heard. Here is more information:
Contra Costa Elections Office
Alameda County Elections Office
Become a Climate Activist
Started by our own Jackie and Jeff Mann, 350 Contra Costa works with a broad coalition, including Interfaith Climate Action Network of Contra Costa County (ICANCCC).Go here to learn more and sign up for upcoming actions
http://350contracosta.org And, join a “Becoming a Climate Activist” circle, one of the Isaiah Circles (small groups) starting after Yom Kippur. Look for details soon to sign up in Chaverware.
Volunteer at White Pony Express for ICARE
Past volunteers in ICARE interfaith service programs through the Interfaith Council are invited to volunteer with your interfaith friends at White Pony Express (Covid safety measures are in place) for September 29 in the afternoon or September 30. For details and to sign up, go here
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409084ea5ab28abff2-white
Help Renters Access Federal Covid-Rental Relief Funds
The Temple Isaiah Racial Justice Task Force is partnering with Shelter Inc to help our Contra Costa neighbors learn about and access this $5.2 billion dollar program and keep them in their homes. Volunteers are calling renters to answer questions and verify appointments. We are also planning outreach to East and West County congregations to make sure those in need are able to apply for ERAP. To join our efforts, please email Sue Adler-Bressler at
suejab2@gmail.com. For more details,
click here.
Be an Angel, Need an Angel? Contact Angel Network
L’Shanah Tovah! May everyone be healthy and well. But, if you need a meal, a driver to an appointment, or assistance in any way, reach out to the Angel Network by calling the temple office. And if you are well and have even a small amount of time to be an Angel, please volunteer to be an Angel, please email Greta Frantz at
gf.angelnet@gmail.com or Denise Glicklin at
dg.angelnet@yahoo.com.
Help Afghan Families
Jewish Family & Community Services East Bay (JFCS) will resettle 200 refugees in August and September. They need volunteers to remove cardboard boxes and recycling from their Concord office and help in late September to move storage units. Email
adodson@jfcs-eastbay.org if you can help. They also need Target gift cards. Mail directly to JFCS- East Bay, 2151 Salvio Street, Suite 350, Concord, CA. 94520.
Donate on Provision Donation Day
Due to the Covid Delta variant, we are postponing Mitzvah Day until next spring. But you can still participate in our Covid-Safe version: Provision Donation Day on October 24! Donate cleaning supplies and diapers, used books and other provisions to fulfill the needs of various organizations in the area. For details and to give, go to
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4DAFAD2AA5F49-mitzvah
Support Black-Owned Businesses
Our Racial Justice Community Outreach Group has been exploring ways to personally address the issue of racial inequity. Each of us can support a Black owned business in Contra Costa County.
Click here for lists of black-owned bakeries, restaurants and catering companies in Oakland, Antioch and Pittsburg. Go to the "To Learn" section of this newsletter for a link to an article discussing the economic and moral reasons for supporting black-owned businesses.
Support students in East County
Donate to help pay for college applications. Here’s an opportunity from our Racial Justice Community Outreach Group to make a difference. Pittsburg High School has 60-100 students annually who do not qualify for fee waivers when applying to colleges, but they cannot afford the $50-75 per college application fee. To donate,
click here. Donations are tax-deductible and you will receive a donation receipt. For details and questions, email Susan Rideout
susanrideout5@gmail.com
Add Your Voices to the #HereIAm Campaign
JCRC and the Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund have launched the Here I Am initiative, pushing back against antisemitism by demonstrating the vibrancy, diversity and values of the Bay Area Jewish community. The initiative is centered around video storytelling, empowering individuals to share their experiences of encountering antisemitism and other forms of hate levelled against diverse Jewish individuals as a means of educating the community about Jewish allyship in this difficult moment. Learn more and participate at
https://hereiamstories.org/
Jewish Coalition for Literacy
New Tutor Training September 23
Volunteer reading tutors are needed more than ever in the face of immense educational disruption. In just one hour each week, you can help a struggling young reader become more confident and successful. Together, you’ll create a wonderful foundation for lifelong learning. Register for free online training sessions at
jclread.org/sign-up
