The Social Action
Committee's goal is to
further our collective commitment to Tikkun Olam -- repair
of the world. The emphasis is on realizing our Jewish
values and traditions through performance of mitzvot,
including direct services and advocacy regarding social
issues to Jews in the East Bay. Participation can be a
one-time activity or ongoing. Your suggestions are always
welcome.
Friends,
Kol Ha'Kavod - all the respect - to you for your efforts in
recent months toward social action! We have outdone our
previous endeavors time and again.
As you know, our High Holiday food drive resulted in 3,500
pounds of food donated, compared to 1,400 the prior year.
Our Thanksgiving turkey drive resulted in $8,150 in
donations, compared to $5,500 the prior year. The Alameda
County Community Food Bank tells me that TBA has become one
of the leading religious institutions supporting its
efforts to feed the hungry.
Now, the results are in for our coat and blanket drive.
From approximately 50 items donated two years ago, to 200
items donated last year, this year, we exceeded 400
coats, jackets, sweaters, blankets, mittens, hats, and
other warm items donated by TBA members to the Emeryville
Community Action Program (ECAP). These items have
already been distributed to homeless and poor in the East
Bay and are keeping many people warm on cold winter nights.
I am also thrilled and proud to announce that,
inspired by TBA's program, the Jewish Community
Federation of the Greater East Bay donated to
ECAP a staggering 13 cartons of quality jackets,
sweaters, coats, shirts, gloves, and other winter
gear - more than 300 items to help in our
campaign. We are grateful for their generosity!
For Tu B'Shevat, we again had over 50 members of all ages
participate in wetland restoration with Save the Bay,
and more than 20 participants, young and old, digging in
the soil of an East Oakland elementary school, making the
school's garden ready for planting and another season of
teaching.
In the coming weeks, I hope you will participate in TBA's
life-saving blood drive, organized once again by Flo Raskin
(praskin@earthlink.net). Please
sign up today! TBA can accommodate dozens more
volunteers willing to step forward and help save a
life.
Coming up: In March, we will once again be visiting St.
Vincent de Paul to help feed the hungry. In April, TBA has
two exciting social action programs coming. The evening of
April 20th, at 7:30 p.m., we will host an exciting Yom
Ha'atzmaut (Israeli independence day) event, featuring
panelists from the liberal and conservative sides of the
spectrum discussing the state of human rights in
Israel. We also hope to hold TBA's annual "sukkot in April"
event, helping build a home for a needy East Bay resident -
but this event needs a coordinator! Please let me know if
you are interested.
Together, we are demonstrating that TBA is a moral force in
the East Bay - a fountain of kindness and giving. Let us
not rest on our laurels! We are only just beginning to
reach for our potential as a Jewish community.
Bryan
Schwartz
Temple Beth Abraham
Vice President/Social Action Chair
