Tikkun Olam

Social Action Opportunities – Fall/Winter 2020

November 17, 2020 by templesinai • Temple News, Tikkun Olam •

DONATE A TURKEY PLUS

November is a great time for Temple Sinai members to make contributions to Feeding Chittenden (formerly the Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf).

There are different ways that members and friends of our community can help:

Bring frozen turkeys or non-perishable food items to 228 North Winooski Ave, Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 3 PM. Deliveries are taken at the rear of the building.
Make a donation on-line. The Feed Chittenden Donation page connects you with a variety of ways you can donate money, including ways to support specific programs such as food drives, or where to send your check by mail.

Feed Chittenden prefers on-line monetary contributions to reduce person-to-person contact. If possible, let them know that your contribution is on behalf of Temple Sinai.

You can contact Feed Chittenden directly at 802-658-7939 to arrange for donations.

CONTRIBUTE TO THE SOUTH BURLINGTON FOOD SHELF

While not accepting turkeys for Thanksgiving, the South Burlington Food Shelf really needs monetary and food contributions.

The Food Shelf Donation page includes an online donation form as well as other options for payment.

Food donations may be delivered Thursday mornings from 9:30-11:30. To volunteer your services, contact Peter Carmolli or (802) 858-5267.

GIVE BLOOD ON DECEMBER 24

Help serve our community by donating blood for hospital patients in need. Join members and friends of Temple Sinai to give blood on December 24, 2020 from 9 AM to 2 PM in the Temple Sinai social hall. Your donation can help save up to three lives!

The Red Cross is strongly encouraging appointments during the pandemic. Many drives are not accepting walk-ins at all. To make an appointment online for this drive, visit our Red Cross signup page or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

The collection of blood donations is an essential service under COVID guidelines. The Red Cross takes very seriously its role in helping protect the public and the blood supply. Learn more here.

You can contact our blood drive coordinators, David Punia and Karen Cote, for further information or for help making your appointment.

JOIN US AT A SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE MEETING

We will meet via ZOOM on Thursday, November 19th AT 6:00PM. Beginning in December 2020, meetings will be scheduled for the third Thursday of the month. Watch the home page and Temple Calendar for details and ZOOM links for the meetings.

Questions or Concerns? Contact David Shiman, Chair of Social Action Committee

2020 High Holidays Food Drive

September 10, 2020 by templesinai • Tikkun Olam •

During the 5781 High Holy Days,
please help those who are hungry in our community.

Temple Sinai logo

Two Easy Ways to Give

Online

Make a direct donation to the South Burlington Food Shelf to help them purchase needed items at low cost. Consider becoming a Food Hero, and give monthly, to help families throughout the year. Dedicate your gift to Temple Sinai if you’d like us to be acknowledged.

Donate Online Now!

In Person

Drop off a paper bag of items in the religious school vestibule

on the following dates ONLY

Tuesday 9/15/20 – 8am-2pm
Tuesday 9/22/20 – 3pm-5pm
Wednesday 9/30/20 – 12:30pm-2:30pm

Items that are needed

Canned Meats (Tuna, Chicken, Hash, Spam etc); Soup; Pasta Sauce; Canned Fruit; Canned Vegetables; Cereal (All Different Types); Ketchup and Other Sauces and Condiments; Cooking Oils; Mac and Cheese; Pasta (preferably in boxes as bags do not stack well but we will take bags of pasta); Coffee and Tea; Baked Beans (to a lesser extent other beans); Peanut Butter; Jellies and Jams; Rice; Paper Towels; Toilet Paper; Feminine Hygiene Products; Soaps and Shampoos

This is the fast I desire … sharing your food with the hungry… Isaiah 5832

Organized by the Temple Sinai Social Action/Tikkun Olam Commitree
tikkun-olam@templesinaivt.org

Black Jewish Unity Week

September 7, 2020 by templesinai • Tikkun Olam •

In celebration of the enduring ties between America’s Black and Jewish communities, the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and the National Urban League (NUL) are partnering to designate the week of September 7th as Black-Jewish Unity Week. Our histories in America differ profoundly, and yet we share a history of discrimination and violence. The two communities share many goals and values, and have a long history of working closely together. There is also a history of tensions and disagreements. Recently, anti-Semitism among some segments of the current African American activist movements have renewed tensions, even as our shared fight for justice, equality and access to opportunity require we work together as allies. This week is an opportunity to listen, learn, and remind ourselves of our shared work and our ongoing challenges.

Links to Media and Resources:

NUL page on #BlackJewishUnity Week AJC page on #BlackJewishUnity Week

Jews and the Civil Rights Movement – A concise overview from the Religious Action Center (RAC) of Reform Judaism.
National Urban League Podcast: For The Movement: Celebrating #BlackJewishUnity Week – In this episode, leaders of the Urban League and the American Jewish Committee explore the relationship between the two communities in honor of #BlackJewishUnity Week. Daniel Elbaum, the American Jewish Committee’s Chief Advocacy Officer, joins Clint Odom, NUL Senior Vice President of Policy & Advocacy and Toni Wiley, NUL Director of Advocacy.

American Jewish Committee Podcast: People of the Pod – Celebrating #BlackJewishUnity Week with the National Urban League – In this episode, leaders of the Urban League and the American Jewish Committee explore the relationship between the two communities in honor of #BlackJewishUnity Week, with Clint Odom, the National Urban League’s Senior Vice President for Policy and Advocacy, Executive Director of the National Urban League’s Washington Bureau.

New Attacks on the Anti-Defamation League

August 23, 2020 by templesinai • Rabbi's Blog, Tikkun Olam •

(Excerpted from Rabbi David Edleson’s weekly email to Temple Sinai members)

I was very upset to see an article in the Israeli press this week reporting that a coalition over 60 progressive organizations had signed on to a movement and petition to boycott the ADL. The letter begins:

Open Letter to progressives: The ADL is not an Ally

Social Action Update – 7/23/2020

July 25, 2020 by templesinai • Temple News, Tikkun Olam •

Five Ways You Can Get Involved To Make A Difference In Our Community

Reform Judaism’s beliefs grow from the Hebrew Prophets’ calls for social justice. We are to do what we can to make those values manifest and real in our community. Here are four things you can get involved with or attend with Temple Sinai to make a difference:

Anti-Racism Book Group
Speaker Evan Traylor
Help Get Out the Vote
Support the South Burlington Food Shelf
Get Involved With Our Social Action/Tikkun Olam Committee

Do Something!

June 4, 2020 by templesinai • Temple News, Tikkun Olam •

On Wednesday of this week, Xusana Davis, VT Director of Racial Equity, was asked to respond to the following question, “What can Vermonters do right now?” Her answer, “Do Something.”

Sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenge before us. A simple step, large or small, can get us going. Acting begets more acting.

Consider this medium.com list of 75 ways in which you might act. Choose one (or more!) or create your own action.

Chaverim and Social Action Efforts during COVID-19

April 21, 2020 by templesinai • Chaverim, Temple News, Tikkun Olam • Tags: Coronavirus •

The Chaverim Team is working hard in the time of COVID-19. We recently delivered 30 Passover Care packages to members of our community so they had matzoh and kosher wine for seder. Thank you to Rabbi and Stacie Gabert for all of their help in this effort.

The Chaverim and Social Action committees have been active on several fronts to help people in need during the COVID-19 shutdown.

Social Action Committee Meeting – Thursday, April 16

March 26, 2020 by templesinai • Tikkun Olam •

The current epidemic will likely tax what systems we have in place to protect and support the most vulnerable As Jews, it is our duty to do what we can, so we will consider Social Action in this time and place.

Join Us at 6, via ZOOM

ZOOM Meeting ID (if needed): 284 260 076

Social Action Opportunities – Coronavirus Edition

March 21, 2020 by templesinai • Tikkun Olam •

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION

MEALS ON WHEELS

Age Well’s community meals program needs drivers during this coronavirus crisis. Help those trapped at home who cannot get out to do food shopping. Time commitment of about 2 hours once a week. Contact Laura Need at Age Well either by email or at 802-662-5273

PASSOVER FOOD DRIVE FOR SOUTH BURLINGTON FOOD SHELF

The coronavirus has increased need to provide food support for members of our community. Bring food donations directly to the Food Shelf at 356 Dorset Street, on Thursdays between 9:30-11:30 AM. Most needed: jams, jellies, coffee, cereal, rice, toiletries, canned fruit and a separate bag noted s perishable for cheese, meat fruit, veggies. Visit the Food Shelf website to make a donation or volunteer.

DONATE BLOOD OR VOLUNTEER

There is a desperate shortage of blood and blood drive volunteers. The Red Cross has instituted special precautions to ensure that you and the health providers are as safe as can be. PLEASE visit redcrossblood.org to learn more, and help out in any way you can. If you are eligible and healthy, please make a blood donation appointment as soon as you can by visiting the website or downloading the Red Cross blood app for your mobile device. To discuss volunteer opportunities, contact volunteer coordinator Alice Drislane.

RESOURCES

HUNGER FREE VERMONT

If you have any concerns or questions related to food for yourself, family, or members of your community during this crisis, Hunger Free Vermont has created a web page dedicated to preparing for the impacts of COVID-19 on food access in Vermont.

NEED HELP YOURSELF?

Need help with shopping, pressing repairs at your home, pet care, etc.? Contact the Chaverim Committee or the Social Action Committee.

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ACTION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE ‘

Let us know what actions you are engaged in. Suggest actions the Committee should consider. Contact the committee chair.

JOIN OUR TEMPLE SOCIAL ACTION EMAIL LIST

Add your name to our committee mailing list to receive meeting minutes, occasional articles, and action opportunities. And join our meetings on the 3rd Thursday of every month(6:00-7:00). Contact the Social Action Committee for more information.

Social Action Update – February 2020

February 26, 2020 by templesinai • Temple News, Tikkun Olam •

A rich variety of Tikkun Olam opportunities exist in our community. Which are you drawn to?

MEALS-ON-WHEELS: Temple Sinai has the opportunity to adopt a route in South Burlington and provide regular delivery of food to those in need. If we create a Temple Sinai delivery team, we can deliver 1, 2, 3 or 4 days a month. We decide and commit to a schedule. The route takes about 2 hours to complete(9:00-11:00) and we would deliver to 10-12 homes. It’s good to have 4-6 people to make up the team, although one person can handle the route on any given day. We also would need a coordinator. It’s really quite simple. Interested in exploring this further? To learn more, visit the Age Well Meals On Wheels page or Contact David Shiman.

PASSOVER FOOD DRIVE: We will celebrate our exodus from Egypt with another food drive supporting the South Burlington Food Shelf. This will probably take place during the first week in April. Look for future announcements.

The Food Shelf also has all sorts of volunteer opportunities to help meet the pressing needs in our community. Contact Peter Carmolli.

CAMPAIGN FOR A STRONG FAIR AND IMPARTIAL POLICING POLICY (FIPP) IN SOUTH BURLINGTON OR BURLINGTON: There are groups advocating for stronger policy statements than presently exist. The campaign for FIPP is called No Mas Polimigra, which is a combination of Spanish word “poli” for police and “migra” for immigration authorities. The major goal is to end collaboration of police with immigration agents. If interested, make the initial contact yourself, but please inform us that you are getting involved. For South Burlington, Contact Nancy Hellen; For Burlington, Contact Madeline and/or Ashley.

DRIVER FOR MIGRANT JUSTICE: Drivers are needed who can, at very short notice, drive to Massachusetts to deliver bail money and return to our area with a bailed-out Migrant Justice worker who had been arrested by ICE. Person should be able to speak some Spanish and be able to give up an entire day. There is a pool of potential drivers, but there is always a need to add more to the pool. If interested, contact David Shiman for more information.

Other News – Planning Opportunities

PROGRAMS AT A SENIOR RESIDENCE: We are exploring possibility of collaborating with a senior residence facility to offer a “program” once a month. This might be a musical presentation, talk on topics of interest (e.g., income tax, travel experience, poetry reading) children’s performance, etc. Temple Sinai would recruit members of our congregation to present. Might you be interested in this? Contact committee chair David Shiman

CHOOSE YOUR OWN ACTION FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE: Let us know what actions you are engaged in. Suggest actions the Committee should consider. Contact Us.

JOIN OUR SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE EMAIL LIST

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