Mitzvot B’Yachad Social Action Committee
The Mitzvot B'Yachad Social Action Committee is an umbrella group for many social action activities such as providing food for the needy (Cook for a Friend, Mitzvah Garden and Food Pantry), environmental issues, helping the sick and social issues. Members of the committee work on all or some of these endeavors. The Committee was recently able to switch from plastic plates to glass plates for synagogue functions and instituted a recycle program.
Education on Social and Environmental Issues
Contact Norma Finkelstein (215-777-1105) or Jeannette Norris (215-635-0383) for more info:
The Beth Sholom Mitzvot B'Yahad Social Action Committee continues to focus on food insecurity. Due to the downturn in the economy and an increasingly aging population, there is a growing need to help those who cannot fully afford enough food to survive. This battle to fight hunger is more critical than ever. Current economic indicators show that the number of hungry people in America will only continue to grow. Today, one in four American children struggles with hunger. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 17.2 million children are at risk of hunger all across the country. Hunger is a reality and a daily struggle for many Americans. Ironically and sadly, they are living in one of the richest countries in the world. This should be unacceptable to all of us. Follow this link to see what you can do.
Beth Sholom volunteers in the Mitzvah Garden, Mitzvah Food Pantry and Cook for a Friend programs are already working to combat this problem in our own community. Our bountiful Mitzvah Garden, in healthy and full bloom this summer, will continue to produce baskets full of assorted vegetables over the summer and into the fall months. The growing numbers of people who come to our Mitzvah Food Pantry each week very much appreciate the fresh produce they receive. Our Cook for a Friend volunteers ensure that many homebound senior citizens, who might otherwise do without food, have a hot, nutritious meal each day. The ongoing work of all of these volunteers helps people in need and, at the same time, helps us as Jews to take concrete action and fulfill our responsibility of ma'akhil r'evim - feeding the hungry.
Please join us for our Mitzvot B'Yahad Social Action Lunch and Learn programs this year. On October 20th, we will be hosting Samuel Chu, from MAZON, who will teach us more about promoting advocacy and justice in the struggle to end hunger. There is much good work already ongoing in our shul, yet there is more that we as a community can do. Let's learn b'yahad- together!
NORMA FINKELSTEIN AND JEANNETTE NORRIS, CO-CHAIRS
