Mitzvah Opportunities

“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.

Kiva.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.

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.

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.