Monthly Newsletter: March 2024 |
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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.
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Gratitude for the unwavering Action on the 24 Overpass in Support of Israel. Kol HaKavod to the ongoing and tireless efforts Yoav Harlev and his team have provided. He has led so many of us with such caring and commitment for action. We thank all of the leaders who have been working so tirelessly to keep the Israel Hostages in the forefront. Click on this link to view a recent discussion introduced by Rabbi Jill Perlman and a real genuine look at the Kibbutz of Yoav Harlev. |
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Get Out The Vote will continue on the 1st and 3rd Mondays every month from 4pm - 5:30pm. Starting on Thursday March 21, GOTV will also meet on Thursdays from 6 - 7:30pm, every 3rd Thursday in March through November! Join in the Oneg Room to write postcards encouraging people to register and vote. Last month over 1700 were mailed. Our focus currently is encouraging voter registration and voting. (You can also pick up postcards to write and mail on your own. Call Sue Adler-Bressler at 925-708-2090 to arrange.) Join us and bring your friends. Together we will make a difference! You can also help by making a donation to the Social Action Fund to help with the cost of stamps and the postcards. It is tax deductible. Click here to RSVP for GOTV.
UNITY MARCH - Join the largest gathering of Northern California residents to stand in unity with the Jewish community and combat antisemitism by championing visible, self-assured, meaningful, robust Jewish life.
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 - 3pm. 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.
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
The Crayon Initiative turns leftover crayons into smiles for kids in hospitals, by recycling them through The Crayon Initiative. Keep waxed crayons out of the landfills. See the big picture at https://thecrayoninitiative.org/. Women of Isaiah is running a Drive at Temple Isaiah for crayons during January and February. Watch for the bins. For more information contact Phyllis Edwards lafwards5@gmail.com.
Get Involved in Bay Area Environmental Actions Receive useful information regarding local Bay Area actions and events dedicated to fighting the climate crisis.
Refugee Assistance Help settle newly arrived refugee families find work, enroll their children in school, become familiar with their surroundings, and more. In particular, there is a new family of three from Kenya, seeking asylum, looking for housing in the Bay area. JFCS needs help with the following:
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Welcome Team – be part of a team to welcome new refugee families.
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Legal Support – pro bono attorneys needed to help with Afghan asylum applications.
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ESL Tutors – in person or via Zoom.
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Grocery Shopping – buy groceries and deliver them to new refugee clients.
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Adult Bikes – Any condition welcomed.
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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.
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
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Important Israel Update Details |
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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.
Weekdays - Tuesday, Thursday, Friday schedule: 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Weekend - Saturday and Sunday schedule: 12pm - 2pm
Support Religious Action Center (RAC) Efforts to urge the House to Support Military Aid for Israel and Humanitarian Aid for Palestinians on February 13th, the Senate passed a funding bill that will provide military aid for Israel and humanitarian aid for Palestinians. Urge the House to join the Senate and vote swiftly in support of this essential aid.
Support Israel
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Donate to the emergency campaign of the Jewish Community Federation & Endowment Fund.
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Visit this link for a comprehensive list of local and Israeli organizations accepting donations to provide aid to Israel.
Wear Your Blue Ribbon
Blue ribbons are available in the Temple Office and sanctuary foyer. Share a photo on social media with the hashtags #ShineYourLight #BlueRibbonsforIsrael #BringThemHome. Visit our partner, Blue Ribbons for Israel, for additional information and materials.
Help Israel From Home
Global run/walk events calling for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas. Local communities meet once a week in a designated location, for a short 1km walk/run. It takes about 18 minutes (ח”י דקות) end to end. Click here to find a group near you.
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The 10/7 Project was launched after the historic March for Israel in Washington D.C. last November. It is led by the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (including URJ and WRJ). The 10/7 project is a bipartisan effort to create a communications hub advocating for accurate, unbiased coverage of the Israel-Hamas war. Sign up to receive daily updates. https://www.the10-7project.com/newsletter-signup/
Information on Evan Gershkovich who is an American journalist and reporter at The Wall Street Journal covering Russia. He was detained by Russia's Federal Security Service on charges of espionage in March 2023. Evan has been in Russia's notorious Lefortovo prison since March 2023, largely cut off from the world. He spends 90% of his day in a small cell. The State Department has declared Evan wrongfully detained, and President Biden has promised his family he would bring Evan home. https://www.wsj.com/news/evan-gershkovich
Podcasts:
Ezra Klein Show Podcast Each Tuesday and Friday, Ezra Klein invites you into a conversation on something that matters. Topics include: How do we address climate change if the political system fails to act? Has the logic of markets infiltrated too many aspects of our lives? What is the history of Israel’s peace negotiations with its Arab neighbors?
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 well-being, and more. To access these articles, please visit https://temple-isaiah.org/community/mental-health-and-wellness/ and scroll down to
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NEVER IS NOW March 6 - 7 in New York City by the Anti-Defamation League. Summit on antisemitism and hate featuring 100+ renowned experts 25+ panels. Register at: https://www.adl.org/. Learn about Never on My Campus Campaign
Mental Health and Wellness
Mental Health Support for Adults
Next Session: Sunday, March 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.
Tikkun Olam is NOW
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To contribute information to this monthly VIA newsletter, please contact co-editors
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