Mitzvah Opportunities

Refugee Crisis: Thinking Globally, Acting Locally

September 9, 2019 by • Adult Education, Front Page, Mitzvah Opportunities •

Sunday, October 6th at 9:15am
Guest speaker: Chelsey Berlin, HIAS

Two years ago, in response to the global refugee crisis, our community agreed to sponsor a refugee family. As volunteers continue to work tirelessly to help the Shakaris achieve self-sufficiency and success in America, millions around the world are still displaced from their homes. Please join us on Sunday, October 6 at 9:15 am when Chelsey Berlin of HIAS will update us on the refugee crisis. We’ll also hear from our volunteers who will describe their experiences working with the Shakaris and we’ll share plans for how we’ll continue to support this wonderful family.

Please let us know if you’ll be attending: RSVP by Friday, October 4 to: terefugeeassistance@templeemanuelmd.org

Nature Nearby Series: Backyard Creation Celebration

September 9, 2019 by • Adult Education, Front Page, Mitzvah Opportunities •

Promoting the Jewish value of stewardship, Project GreenTE engages with the temple community and beyond to raise awareness of environmental issues and enable action to address them.

ProjectGreenTE is holding our first Nature Nearby event of the new year. We will be partnering with our fellow congregant Roger Friedman, who will be leading a walk and talk around the Temple grounds. Come learn what’s growing and living in our community’s “backyard.” This is a great opportunity to celebrate Creation. Details are as follows:

Project GreenTE Nature Nearby Series:
Backyard Creation Celebration
Saturday, October 5, 2019, 5:15pm – 6:15pm
Temple Emanuel (Meet at back of parking lot)

Come as you are. Snacks provided! There is no charge to attend, and all ages are welcome. RSVPs are always appreciated – BrianTrackman@gmail.com

Project GreenTE encourages green consciousness at Temple Emanuel. Our focus is to promote green action that safeguards Creation, right in our own community. Being part of Project GreenTE is easy and requires nothing more than a small step. Just send an email to BrianTrackman@gmail.com and you can be added to the Project GreenTE Google group and email list.

Spread The Love – Sandwich Donation

September 8, 2019 by • Front Page, Mitzvah Opportunities •

Sandwich DonationsNext Date: Sunday, September 22
Spread the Love!
8:45am-9:30am
Drop off at Temple Emanuel
(in the parking lot)

Every month, members of Temple Emanuel donate to Martha’s Table, a non-profit in gentrifying DC that needs 1000 sandwiches per day for its low income clientele. Martha’s Table also needs granola bars, individually bagged trail mix (in small baggies), muffins that are wrapped individually. Please consider donating whenever you can.

Notes:

  • Make sandwiches from wheat bread only.
  • They can be peanut butter and jelly, or all cheese.
  • Wrap each sandwich individually in a plastic bag (baggie) and label PB&J or C. A Sharpie works well for the labeling.
  • Place each sandwich, now in its own baggie, into the larger bread bag with other sandwiches of the same type. Each bag of commercial wheat bread makes about 10 sandwiches. Label the larger bag PB&J or C.

On the designated Sundays, Shazi will be in the Temple parking lot, near the bamboo with the trunk up. She will be in the green Alfa Romeo.

Questions? Email Shazi Spieler at shazbone@gmail.com or call/text 202-669-4837

*Please remeber not to bring the PB&J sandwiches into the synagogue.

Global Mitzvah Project

May 6, 2019 by • Mitzvah Opportunities •

Global Mitzvah logo“Imagine congregants motivated by core Jewish values… teaching our community that being a Jew means caring for needs around our world and making a difference in small ways.” – Rabbi Warren Stone

The Global Mitzvah Project (GMP) plans and conducts fund-raising, educational and global advocacy activities to inspire active involvement of Temple Emanuel youth and adults in tikkun olam. In partnership with reputable international organizations like Plan USA/International, Tevel b’Tzedek, Engineers Without Borders, Innovation:Africa, and Free the Slaves, the GMP has pinpointed critical areas of need in many countries (e.g., Guatemala, Haiti, Kenya, El Salvador, Uganda, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Cambodia). Funds have been raised to improve health, education, safety, food security, and self-determination for women and children in these countries. The project has demonstrated a strong commitment to social justice while involving a majority of the congregation in multi-faceted, community wide activities.

To date, 26 different projects have been supported in 17 countries. The total amount of funds donated to these projects has exceeded $40,000 thanks to the generosity of our congregation and friends. GMP celebrated its 10th Year in 2018 and completed two milestone products: (1) booklet featuring 10 of the GMT’s successful projects;
(2) team video describing the work of the GMP.  To review significant project activities and accomplishments visit:
https://globalmitzvahte.wordpress.com/

Congregants are invited to join the Global Mitzvah Team and attend our meetings. Please contact co-chairs, Stan Fagen (sfagen@verizon.net) or Caroline Smith DeWaal (dewaalcaroline@gmail.com) for more information.

kivaKiva.org is a site for disadvantaged people all over the world seeking small loans to start their own businesses. Join the Global Mitzvah Project Lending Team by making a donation for as little as $25, and help a borrower of your choice to improve the life and well being of their family.

Bereavement Committee

January 22, 2013 by • Mitzvah Opportunities •

The Bereavement Committee maintains a state of readiness. We are prepared to serve a Meal of Comfort to Temple members following the funeral service of a loved one. In order to continue to serve the Temple community we need additional volunteers. Can you help us with any of the following?

  • Shop for perishables and prepare a light meal when the need arises. Remain on call for one month of your choice and as backup for another.
  • Sign up to be on call for serving the meal as the need arises. We try to send servers out in pairs, so you would be working with someone. Signing up indicates that you have no regular commitments for that day and that we may call you. It is not a firm commitment.

Please contact Mark Rother at Mdrother@gmail.com with any questions or to volunteer.

So Others Might Eat

December 11, 2012 by • Mitzvah Opportunities •

Helping SOME on Christmas Day

Cooking for SOME at Christmas

Thanks to all who volunteer to cook and/or serve at SOME for Christmas Day! The people at SOME are great to work with and very appreciative of our help. Thanks so much for your continued support of this worthwhile Christmas Day project.

Provide-a-Meal Program

Throughout the year, we also participate in the SOME Provide-a-Meal program, which feeds homeless and poor people in the Greater Washington, DC area.

Four times per year we prepare 38 Shepherd’s pies to delivery to SOME. Each casserole feeds 10 – 12 people — that’s between 380 – 456 men, women & children!

  • WE supply the casserole pans
  • WE supply the recipe
  • WE supply the freezer
  • WE supply the delivery to SOME
  • YOU pick the most convenient time to cook

Click here for the recipe to make Shepherd’s Pie for SOME

NOTE: Making lunches for homeless people through Temple Emanuel is an accepted volunteer activity which qulaifies for Student Service Learning (SSL) hours — get your children to help you and they’ll benefit too!

For more details, or to volunteer, please contact Fran Bernstein at fbernstein2@gmail.com.