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.

If you have a suggestion of a project, do not hesistate to contact the President.

 

Our ongoing Tikkun Olam programs include:

  • CityTeam-serving 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.
 
Our Annual Tikkun Olam programs:
  • High Holy Day food collection for the Alameda County Community Food Bank.  Attendees to the Holy Day Services are encouraged to bring of canned and boxed food.  This food drive lasts from Rosh Hashanah through Sukkot.

 

  • Holiday Dinner Drive: Once known as the Turkey Drive, TBA sends out envelopes for the Alameda County Comunity Food Bank for Turkey Holiday Dinners for those in need.  For every dollar raised, 3 families receive a complete holiday meal.  We collect the funds during October and November.  Dinners are given out by the Food Bank for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  In the past few years, TBA has become one of the leading religious institutions supporting this effort to feed the hungry.

 

  • Coat and Jacket collection: During the cold months of December and January we collect new and lightly used coats, jackets, blankets etc items for a local homeless shelter.

 

  • Tu B’Shevat brings 2 projects to choose from:  Save the Bay wetland restoration with usually about 50 participants. Or digging in the soil of an East Oakland elementary school making the school’s garden ready for planting and another season of teaching.  This day brings together over 70 TBA participants that spans the ages, young and old.

 

  • Also during Tu B’Shevat, our Bet Sefer students are encouraged to participate in the Perishable Food Drive.  Both food and dollar donations are collected and donated to the Alameda County Community Food Bank.  This is done in conjuction with a local store to receive the best price for perishable food.

  

  • Annual Blood Drive held here at TBA accepts over 60 participants to donate bood for the local Blood Bank.

 

  • During Pesach we support Mazon with a donation of funds from the purchasing of chumatz from our TBA members. The Mazon organization is a Jewish response to hunger.  For additonal information go to: www.mazon.org

 

  • Sukkot in April-Rebuilding Together Oakland: springtime brings TBA back in the community as we both sponsor and donate to the repair of homes belonging to elderly and disabled homeowners.  Members are organized by our TBA coordinators to help with jobs from painting to clearing a garden.  The receipents are chosen by the Rebuilding Together-Oakland organization. This amazing experience is underwritten by the Mollie Hertz Interfaith Outreach Fund.

 

  • Children Book Drive culminates the year for our youngest TBA members at our Preschool-gan Avraham.

 

“Together, we demonstrate that TBA is a moral force in the East Bay – a fountain of kindness and giving. Let us not rest onour laurels! We are only just beginning to reach for our potential as a Jewish Community.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Bryan Schwartz, Past President of TBA