Monthly Newsletter: October 2022 |
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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.
“I have a voice, my voice is powerful; my voice can change the world.” – from "I have a voice" by Elana Arian, sung by Cantor Korn at Rosh Hashanah services 2022.
"How lovely to think that no one need wait a moment before making the world better. We can start now slowly changing the world! You can always, always, always give something, even if it is only kindness. Give, give again, don't lose courage. Keep it up and go on giving. No one is ever become poor from giving.” (Anne Frank, March 1944).
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VIA Meeting: All Are Invited |
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Our next VIA monthly community meeting will be held:
Monday, October 10 at 6:30-8pm in the lower courtyard tent and on Zoom
All are invited. Please get involved! There’s a lot of repair to do and it’s more fun and meaningful doing it in community.
Topic: VIA Community Meeting
Time: Oct 10, 2022 06:30-8:00 PM Pacific Time
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 826 0080 1279
Passcode: yellow54
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,82600801279# US (San Jose)
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 1, 6:30-8pm in the lower courtyard and on Zoom and 1st Tuesdays thereafter.
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Skills for Having Difficult Conversations This fall, Temple Isaiah will be offering "Talking About Race and Racism: Skills for Navigating Difficult Conversations" a 4-part workshop with Itzel Hayward and Kathy Simon, providing tools for responding meaningfully and empathically to challenging situations involving racial and social justice and applicable to other situations. Click here for more details and to register for the following four Wednesday evenings at 7pm: Oct. 19, Oct. 26, Nov. 9, Nov. 16. Learn more at https://temple-isaiah.org/values-in-action/dei/
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Get Out the Vote (GOTV) Engagement for Voter Protection. Help people get engaged in voting so they will vote in the Primaries and in November. Democracy Calls! GOTV post card writing in the TI Social Hall 4:30-6pm on Monday, October 3. Educate and empower the under-represented voters by encouraging early voting. Bring a friend and join us! Open to the public. Contact: Judy Carney judy.carney0@gmail.com, Dave Bressler davidibressler@gmail.com, or Leslie Shafton leslieshafton1@gmail.com
You may also pick up post cards and instructions at the Temple office, or in Burton Valley at the home of Judy Carney. Contact Judy Carney judy.carney0@gmail.com
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Bodily autonomy is a fundamental part of Jewish teachings. Prop. 1 will enshrine the right to an abortion and contraception in the state constitution. Join JCRC this fall to take action to assure no one is denied their rights in California. There are a few ways to join the effort:
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Be an Informed Voter in November. Visit the Contra Costa County Elections website for information on Voting Registration and Voting Options including resources for voting by mail, how to register to vote, voting rights, official ballot drop boxes, voting on or before election day, and looking up your personal voting information. For other information, including current elections, visit current elections. To become an informed voter, learn more about misinformation and disinformation campaigns here. |
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Politics Starts Local: Learn Who Best Represents You. The Lafayette School District is holding a Governing Board candidate forum Monday, October 3 at 7 pm. at Stanley Middle School’s Multi Purpose Room. Be sure you know that the person you’re voting for represents your views. There are six candidates for three positions. Do you know about the candidates running for your school board? Please take the time to become an informed voter, especially on local issues and candidates who’ll be representing you. |
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Join your interfaith neighbors by donating and assembling Thanksgiving food for those in need. Temple Isaiah is proud to be participating in another ICARE project with our interfaith friends, Peace Lutheran Church of Danville and the Hindu Community of San Ramon and Danville and Bahai of Walnut Creek. We will work together to buy and assemble Thanksgiving fixings for the Monument Crisis Center's Thanksgiving food drive serving at-risk, underserved families. Boxes will be assembled at the Peace Lutheran Church in Danville on Nov. 13th and volunteers are invited to attend their service before the packaging. Your support and participation are truly appreciated and needed. Here’s how you can help:
1. Donate to pay for the food boxes. $60 will create a box to support a family for a couple days over the holiday.
2. Volunteer to assemble food boxes (limited volunteer slots are available).
For details and to donate and sign up, go to:
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350 Contra Costa is co sponsoring with Walnut Creek Sustainability Week and EcoFest at Civic Park October 22nd 11am-3pm. Bring the family for entertainment, education, Electric Vehicle show, trick-or-treating and more! Webinars throughout the week. |
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Winter Nights is Coming December 19-26. Temple Isaiah’s social hall becomes a home for unhoused families and we rely on our beloved TI community to help. This year’s program is only one week long and includes Christmas. Let’s go all out getting presents for the families and serving them delicious home cooked meals. We need your help and there are many ways to participate. Look for notices coming soon to sign up. For general information about Winter Nights, go to: https://cccwinternights.org/. For more information, contact Joani deVries joandevries2@gmail.com |
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Shelter Dinners Return November 14-18, 2022. After a two-year break due to Covid, WOI and VIA will be returning-- in person--to cook dinner for residents of the Mountain View Family Shelter in Martinez. There is one big change this year: We will cook dinner onsite and the shelter will provide the food. Look for a Sign-up Genius and details in early November. All are welcome. Contact Sheri Lockshin splockshin@gmail.com or Lynn Harrington-Golde ptlynn@comcast.net
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Make a difference in someone’s life. Help a newly arrived Afghan or Ukraine Refugee family 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.
Also, 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.
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Join the Multi-faith ACTION Coalition as we advocate 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/
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Jewish Coalition for Literacy has been serving Bay Area children and families for over 20 years! Kids are struggling to read at grade level now more than ever. To learn more about JCL's one-on-one K-5 reading tutoring program, to register for new tutor training, or to make a donation visit: www.jclread.org. The next free online tutor training session is Thursday, October 27th, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Contact Phyllis Edwards lafwards5@gmail.com (925) 200-5239.
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An Environmental Win! Governor Newsom signed two bills in September that The California Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (the “RAC”) advocated for: SB 1137, requiring 3200 foot setbacks between drilling sites and neighborhoods and AB2316, creating a community renewable energy programs giving renter access to clean energy and lower electricity bills. Local organizing works! Get involved! https://rac.org/take-action/rac-your-state/rac-ca
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
Every Voice, Every Vote Campaign, the Reform Jewish Movement’s 2022 is a nonpartisan effort, grounded in our Jewish values and commitment to racial justice, to strengthen our democracy. Democracy is strongest when the electorate reflects the population. This is how we fulfill the Talmudic teaching that a ruler is not to be appointed unless the community is first consulted. https://rac.org/take-action/every-voice-every-vote
Recommended reading and viewing from Judy Carney: Jane Goodall’s inspiring book "The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times" and "Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest" by Suzanna Simard.
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Get out the Vote with RAC-CA and Dayenu! Tuesday, October 25 & Thursday, October 27 at 5 p.m. PT.
To pass on a sustainable world to the next generation, we must protect and grow the electorate and ensure our leaders enact bold, just, science-based climate solutions. RAC-CA’s Climate Tzedek Campaign is teaming up with Dayenu: A Jewish Call to Climate Action and the Environmental Voter Project to call low-propensity, high potential, climate-concerned voters in Arizona, and make sure they know the when, where, and how of voting, and voting safely.
Together, we’ll learn to use the phone banking tool, then we’ll stay on Zoom to make calls and offer each other guidance and encouragement. We’ll close with a live musical performance!
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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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