Social Action

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.

Our ongoing Tikkun Olam programs include:

• CityTeam-servicing dinner to those less fortunate every 4th sunday of the month.  Contact Caren Shapiro to reserve your space.
• Barrels for Food donations are located at two locations on our campus for year-round collection to the Alameda County Community Food Bank.
• Blood Bank scheduled for donations on Sunday, February 10, 2013

  Tikkun Olam in REVIEW!

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 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