Monthly Newsletter: February 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.
"Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
- HOWARD THURMAN
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“Nothing I have ever done was me alone--everything is a group effort, and I am proud to be part of an amazing TI team. I'm most proud of deep relationships, wonderful memories, laughter and kindness as part of the TI community. It is my theory that the VIA group is the best people in the world--dedicated to tikkun olam together and repairing the world. “
- Leslie Shafton
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This month, VIA is honoring Leslie Shafton. Most, if not all of you, know Leslie. Her beaming smile and waves of energy emanating from her body as she walks into a room are unmistakable and palpable. She generates her own energy and enough to electrify and inspire all of us who are in her presence. She seems to be everywhere all at once, and when you read a partial list of her accomplishments, you’ll know it’s not just your imagination. She is almost literally everywhere all at once.
And while actions often speak louder than words, her quote above accompanied the list of accomplishments. Her first impulse was to include a photo with her VIA buddy, Adina, but that’s for another day. This month, we’re honoring her alone.
Her main point is that social justice is more effective and fun when we do it in community. Take a look at what she’s done so far, and you’ll see what she means. Hopefully, all of us will take inspiration from Leslie’s example and up our game to be even more effective, and in community, in 2024. This year is calling for us to do that. Will we answer the call? Let Leslie show us how. Here’s some of what she’s done:
- Co-chairing Winter Nights for 3 (possibly 4) years
- Organizing multiple Get out the Vote campaigns, writing tens of thousands of cards and phone banking.
- Coordinating making masks at the beginning of COVID and distributing about 6,000 masks to all of the local nursing facilities at the beginning of COVID when real masks were not available.
- Organizing multiple lobby days, trips to the Capitol in Sacramento, visiting with our representatives about immigration, health care, criminal justice reform, climate change, etc.
- Imagining, championing and participating in immigration events including a trip to the border, a round table discussion and an immigration evening in the sukkah.
- Marching together for the first time in the pride parade in San Francisco in 2023.
- Coordinating a healthcare forum with elected representatives.
- Coordinating and conducting numerous food drives, ICARE projects and clothing and other item collections.
- Organizing and participating in reproductive rights events/shabbat.
- Chaperoning TI teens to DC to lobby for social justice causes.
- Serving on the TI board and Executive Committee.
- Working with RAC-CA on multiple campaigns.
- Visioning and organizing multiple candidate forums, social justice retreats, regular meetings, etc.
Other activities not at VIA, but for the greater good:
- Organizing many marches through Women's March Contra Costa including four women's marches, one science march, two human banners (one for reproductive justice and one for Ending Hate), and one in conjunction with kids for gun violence
- Organizing a Bad Ass Women Speaker Series during COVID by Zoom on reproductive rights with Planned Parenthood and gun violence with Shannon Watts/Moms Demand Action and Climate Change
- Serving on JCC board
- Serving as Democratic Party Delegate.
A simple “thank you” doesn’t seem enough in response to all you have done and continue to do for our community and the world, Leslie. We are deeply appreciative, admire you and feel inspired to join you especially in 2024. Bring it on!
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Get Out The Vote, Monday, February 5 and 12, from 4pm - 5:30pm! Join us on February 5th in the Oneg Room and 12th in the Adult Lounge to write postcards encouraging people to register and vote. We’ll be encouraging voter registration and voting for a key CA congressional district. Starting in March, we will be writing GOTV postcards the first and third Mondays of each month up to the November elections. Each event goes from 4pm - 5:30pm. (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!
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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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: 3pm - 5pm
Weekend schedule: 12pm - 2pm
Urge Congress to Advocate for the Release of Hostages Held by Hamas
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
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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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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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Repro Shabbat, February 9th, 7:30pm Service Join us at this shabbat service in support of reproductive justice, freedom and the value of women having bodily autonomy, a Jewish value.
Mezuzahs and Honoring Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM)
Friday, February 23, at 7pm (before the 7:30pm shabbat service)
Join Temple Isaiah members in hanging up mezzuzot before welcoming in and celebrating Shabbat at a service dedicated to honoring JDAIM and reaffirming Temple Isaiah's mission to be inclusive and welcoming to all current and future members.
Location: Foyer outside of sanctuary
Time: 7pm
Mental Health and Wellness
Mental Health Support for Adults
Next Session: Sunday, February 11 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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