Monthly Newsletter: December 2023 |
|
Welcome to our 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.
In times of turmoil and danger, gratitude helps to steady and ground us. It brings us into presence, and our full presence is perhaps the best offering we can make to our world.
- Joanna Macy
|
|
Karen Goldberg, Making Our Voices Heard in DC’s Pro-Israel Rally
Once again, our very own Karen Goldberg was out front, representing Temple Isaiah and making our voices heard among the over 300,000 protestors who showed up on Washington’s National Mall November 14th to support Israel and rally to bring home the hostages. Showing up is nothing new for Karen. Her life is all about action. Quiet action. Here’s just a little snapshot about Karen’s recent contributions to Temple Isaiah and our larger Jewish community.
|
|
Karen Goldberg is an undisputed social justice activist who is currently the Secretary of Women of Reform Judaism (WRJ). She is a past president of Women of Isaiah, has been a member of the WRJ North American Board since 2015 and has served as co-chair of the WRJ Inaugural Social Justice Conference in 2019 and co-chair of the 2021 Resolutions Committee. She has played a key role in curating WRJ's "Sharing Our Stories' project connecting Reform Jewish women around the world. Karen has served as an active member of the URJ Israel Leadership Network and been involved in too many social action community initiatives to count. Kol HaKavod, Karen and deep gratitude for all you do to make the world a better place. You’re an inspiration to us all! |
|
Latkes, Salads and Get Out the Vote! Potluck
Monday, December 11, at 5:30pm in the Oneg Room
Yes, 2024 is an election year and now is the time to plan! We’ll make the latkes, you bring your favorite salad, dessert, etc. and join us as we eat, meet and plan. There’s nothing like being with like-minded friends to get energized, talk GOTV field trips and postcard writing and prepare to get out the vote! Click here to RSVP. |
|
ICARE Food for Thought December 13 - 15 at Easter Hill Methodist Church and Beth Hillel both in Richmond, needs volunteers with strong backs (and some without) to assemble boxes of food for families in need over the winter break holiday. Food is provided; we just need volunteers to coordinate and assemble. Click to sign up here.
Hope Solutions Here are two volunteer opportunities:
-
Holiday Giving – Sign up to purchase and donate a gift and bring it to the Temple Isaiah Office by Monday, December 4. If you have any questions, contact Pat Reyes patreyes@comcast.net; 925-683-5485. Hope Solutions provides permanent supportive housing services to families in Contra Costa. Sign up here for HOPE Solutions Spirit of Giving 2023.
-
Tenant Dinner – Temple Isaiah is hosting the Garden Parks Apartments dinner for 30 tenants (adults and children) and staff on Thursday January 11, 2024. Please sign up to drop off a food item to the TI kitchen by 4:00 pm on January 11th. For more instructions in the sign-up, please click here.
Jewish Coalition for Literacy needs tutors! Interested in becoming a K-5 reading tutor? www.jclread.org. contact Phyllis Edwards (925)200-5239 lafwards5@gmail.com
Angel Network supports you when you are in need. We offer rides, visits, meals, phone calls, and supportive cards. We celebrate with you, too. For example, we give newborns a small gift. If you need us, please call the Temple office at 925-283-8575. Plus, we need you. To volunteer, email Greta Frantz at gf.angelnet@gmail.com or Denise Glicklin at dg.angelnet@yahoo.com
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
Refugee Assistance Help settle newly arrived refugee families find work, enroll their children in school, become familiar with their surroundings, and more. JFCS needs help with the following:
-
Welcome Team – be part of a team to welcome new refugee families.
-
Legal Support – pro bono attorneys needed to help with Afghan asylum applications.
-
ESL Tutors – This can be in person or via Zoom.
-
Grocery Shopping buy groceries and deliver them to new refugee clients.
-
Adult Bikes – Any condition welcomed.
-
Gift Cards – Target, Visa, Amazon and Safeway are preferred but all are welcome. Send them to the JFCS office at 2151 Salvio Street, Suite 350, Concord CA 94520 attn: Volunteer Services
Contact Lisa Hirsch at lhirsch17@gmail.com if you have any questions or you are interested in helping.
ICARE: Plan Ahead and Volunteer at White Pony Express. Eight lucky volunteers will join their interfaith friends at White Pony Express to rescue, sort and pack food for delivery to people in need. We are partnering with the Baha’is of Contra Costa County on the first Sunday of selected months from 1 - 3 pm. Be sure to volunteer on any of the following dates: February 4, April 7, June 2, August 4, October 6, December 1. Click here to sign up for this fun, meaningful volunteer project. Questions? Contact Anita Weil anita.weil@gmail.com or Ilene Scharlach ischarlach@aol.com.
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
|
|
Important Israel Update Details |
|
Israel Support
Local Action: “Bring Them Home Now” Vigil
Temple Isaiah members have organized a daily vigil on the 24 overpass in Lafayette, and all members of the community are invited to join. The group will be there with banners, flags (American & Israeli) and signs calling for the immediate & safe return of all the hostages.
Weekday schedule: 2:30pm - 4:30pm
Weekend schedule: 11am - 1pm
Urge the UN Secretary General to Help Secure Release of the Hostages
The hostages have remained in Gaza, including women, children, people with disabilities, and the elderly. Urge the UN Secretary General to lead the international community to demand the release of all hostages being held in Gaza. Click here to write to the UN Secretary General.
Support Israel
-
Donate to the emergency campaign of the Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund.
-
Visit this link for a comprehensive list of local and Israeli organizations accepting donations to provide aid to Israel.
Additional Resources
JCRC has provided resources and guidance for schools and businesses to address the needs of the Jewish community at this time.
UnXeptable is a grassroots movement launched by Israel expats in support of a democratic Israel. We call on world Jewry to come together and preserve the democratic identity of Israel as the home of all Jewish people. Here are some actions you can take:
Participate in IRAC’s letter writing campaign to the Government of Israel
Join ARZA! The Association of Reform Zionists of America is the Israel arm of our Reform Movement. Temple Isaiah is an ARZA congregation. ARZA dues are just $50 per year and our support is critical right now. You can opt in to join ARZA and pay your ARZA dues when you renew your Temple annual commitment!
|
|
Temple Isaiah’s Mental Health & Wellness Webpage has 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 articles, please visit https://temple-isaiah.org/community/mental-health-and-wellness/ and scroll down to
New Israel Fund The New Israel Fund (NIF) helps Israel live up to its founders’ vision of a society that ensures complete equality to all its inhabitants. Our aim is to advance liberal democracy, including freedom of speech and minority rights, and to fight the inequality, injustice and extremism that diminish Israel. https://www.nif.org/about/
|
|
Mental Health Support for Adults
Monthly on Second Sundays at 3pm on Zoom
Upcoming Dates: December 10 at 3pm on Zoom
Whether you are going through a difficult period or have ongoing mental health issues, please join us for our monthly drop-in support group. We provide an opportunity to share and support one another as part of a nonjudgmental, caring community. Facilitated by Jacqueline Golub, a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at John F. Kennedy National University. Free of charge and open to our Jewish Community.
Meeting ID: 850 2107 4973
Passcode (current password available in Shavua Tov) or join by phone at (408) 638-0968
Mental Health Support for Family Members:
NO MEETING ON December 25, 7pm on Zoom; Next meeting in January
Fourth Mondays from 7 - 8:30pm online. Are you a parent, sibling, or child 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.
Tikkun Olam is NOW
|
|
To contribute information to this monthly VIA newsletter, please contact co-editors
|
|
You are receiving this email as a subscriber to the "Values in Action announcements" list. To update your list preferences, please click the "Update Lists" link below. If you unsubscribe, you will no longer receive any email from Temple Isaiah. Questions? Please contact the Temple office at (925)283-8575 or frontoffice@temple-isaiah.org.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
