Social Action Update
Social Action Update
The year has started off strongly for the Direct Services arm of the Social Action Committee.
Ellen Kass, Social Action Co-Chair, will once again be coordinating our synagogue's Cradles to Crayons Drive. Between Monday, October 29th and Friday November 2nd, we are asking synagogue members to bring donations of new or gently used children's winter clothing (especially coats of all sizes), toys, games, books and baby equipment to the lobby next to the Nursery School. These will be donated to benefit the thousands of children across the state living in poverty, many of them homeless. We thank you in advance for your generosity.
On December 18, Sam Silverman will be organizing our Annual Coat Drive to benefit the Bristol Lodge in Waltham. Please bring your donations of gently used coats, jackets, scarves, gloves and mittens, for adults and children, to the synagogue on Sunday, December 18th. Volunteers will be parked outside of the Reisman Hall entrance to receive your generous donations to help our neighbors in need get through this cold winter.
Joani Katz will be organizing Temple Emanuel's contingent of Project Ezra volunteers. Held on December 25th each year, this annual day of service allows our counterparts celebrating Christmas to do so knowing that others will serve on that day. Details will be forthcoming regarding specific projects and venues but there are typically projects available for families with children as well as adults.
We thank Ellen Jawitz for stepping up and agreeing to coordinate the Family Table efforts this past year. Family Table, run by Jewish Family and Children's Service, is the region's only kosher food pantry, serving the needs of over 150 families. Ellen is responsible for ensuring that we meet our monthly commitment of donating 70 cans of beans and boxes of multi grain crackers. Collection boxes are at the Ashford Road entrance to the synagogue.
Temple Emanuel's annual Project Manna concert is scheduled for May 16, 2012. Penny Scharfman and Randi Eisner will be organizing this beautiful concert, made even more meaningful because it is a fundraiser for the Mass Ave. Baptist Church's hot meals program. Watch for details as the date gets closer.
Additional ideas for the upcoming year include a used book drive, bone marrow swabbing, and blood drive. Further information will be posted as available.
We would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to outgoing committee co-chair Howie Zaharoff who so ably led this committee for so many years. His energy and good deeds have left an indelible mark on all of us, and we are thrilled that he will remain active as "Committee Chair Emeritus"! Kol Hakavod, Howie.
We welcome the input and participation of all in the Temple Emanuel community, as we strive to serve.
Susan Paley and Ellen Kass, CoChairs
