A SOCIAL ACTION YEAR IN REVIEW

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! SEE HOW!

Beth El' s Social Action Committee is proud to announce that the synagogue will begin serving a special and tasty brand of coffee called Mirembe Kawomera, "Delicious Peace." This is a free trade, kosher and organic coffee that supports a cooperative of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian coffee farmers in Uganda. By using this coffee, we support people of faith working together for peace, tolerance and economic justice. One dollar from every sale of each package is donated to the cooperative to support their community-based projects. The coffee is available for purchase in the synagogue office. Please contact Cheryl Swenson at 847-432-8900 x222 to purchase yours today. The American Jewish World Service is an official partner of this endeavor.  

NOVEMBER 2007

November 4 - December 2
Winter Coat Drive

It's time to clean out your closets and bring gently used, clean coats, hats and other outerwear of all sizes for distribution to PADS and other Lake County groups in need of warm clothing.  Join us on December 2 to help sort and deliver the items collected.  Please contact Jude Solomon at jss53@yahoo.com to volunteer.

Sunday, November 18 (in the morning)
Family-to-Family Thanksgiving Mitzvah

Here is a great way for our families to once again support our "adopted" school in Waukegan. 
Needed:
More than 75 Beth El families to put together Thanksgiving baskets for the needy families whose children attend Glenwood School.  Each participating family will bring donated food items and assemble baskets on the morning of Sunday, November 18.  To register call Cheryl Swenson at 847-432-8903 x222 or at cswenson@nssbethel.org.  For more information contact Honey Bronson at honeybronson@hotmail.com.

Sunday, November 18 (in the afternoon)
Jewish Environmental Coalition of the North Shore Yom Iyun/Day of Learning

Thinking "green" and want to do something about it? Learn about the ecological challenges that we face today and ways that we can live a sustainable life rooted in Jewish values.  Bring the kids for hands-on activities.  This community-wide Day of Learning will be held at North Shore Congregation Israel and is sponsored by the newly formed JECNS.  Become involved by emailing Richard Schlosberg at rschlosberg144@comcast.net.

DECEMBER

Sunday, December 9
ARK Chanukah Party
  

This annual community event provides lunch for over 1,000 guests at the Chicago Armory.  We need lots of volunteers ages 13 and up for this truly fun and meaningful activity.  Other wonderful ARK family mitzvah opportunities are meal deliveries on Thanksgiving and Shalach Manot on Purim.  Call the ARK 's volunteer coordinator Bonnie Azose at 773-973-1000 ext. 283 for information and registration.

JANUARY 2008

Wednesday, January 30
Beth Emet Soup Kitchen

Beth Emet in Evanston hosts a dinner each Wednesday to provide nutritious meals for the hungry in their community.  Volunteers shop, cook and serve meals for as many as 100 diners in a welcoming and respectful environment.  The SAC seeks 9 to 13 adult volunteers and can accommodate up to 5 children 12 years and up.  Hours are from 4:15 to 7:00 p.m.  Volunteer roles are table setting, cooking dinner, bagged lunch preparation, and buffet serving.  To be part of this very rewarding experience, contact Enid Arnowitz at 847-831-1499 or earnowitz@aol.com.   

FEBRUARY 2008

Sunday, February 24
Darfur Action Project

The time is now and you can help.  Fight apathy and ignorance about the situation in Darfur by attending this synagogue-wide program to raise awareness about the continuing crisis in .  Why, as Jews, is it important for us to help these desperate African people? Learn the answer and discover the many ways you can make a difference.  Watch for upcoming information about this important event, co-sponsored by the Education Committee.  

MARCH   


March 9 - April 6
Annual Food Drive

APRIL

Packing: Sunday, April 6
Deliver: Sunday, April 13
Greater Chicago Maot Chitim

Volunteer as families or individuals to help pack and/or deliver Passover food packages to the needy Jews in Greater Chicago, so they can observe the holidays with dignity in a traditional manner.  Watch for details in the mail, or contact Maot Chitim at 847-674-3224.

ONGOING PROJECTS

Cell Phone Drop-Off at Beth El for Shalva --Those old cell phones lying around the house are more valuable than you may think. For every cell phone you drop off here, a cash donation is made to SHALVA, an agency that works exclusively to prevent domestic violence in Jewish homes. To date, the cell phone drive has raised over $8000 benefitting SHALVA’s crisis-counseling services.

Bring your old cell phones and accessories, in any condition, to the bin at the main entrance of the synagogue. For information, contact Cheryl Banks, 847 432 8900 ext. 242, or cbanks@nssbethel.org

JUF Uptown Cafe – Anyone who has participated in this project will tell you how meaningful it is. The JUF Uptown Cafe in Chicago serves dinners to the needy on Monday and Thursday evenings and brunch on Sundays. If you and your family (ages 12 and older) would like to set tables and serve guests, contact Bryna Kurtz at brynakurtz@aol.com. 

JUF Uptown Cafe 2008 Dates:
Thursday, May 15

Mazon – Beth El is a partner with Mazon, a Jewish Response to Hunger. If you are celebrating a bar or bat mitzvah, wedding or other life cycle event, consider donating 3% of the cost of the event to Mazon, to recognize those less fortunate in a time or our own celebration. Information is available in the main office or from the SAC.

Shopping for the Homebound – Members of the SAC shop for an elderly homebound person in Highland Park on the first Thursday of each month. Grocery shopping and delivery take approximately two hours. If you are interested in volunteering your time for a month, or if you know of other homebound residents who need shoppers, contact Enid Arnowitz at earnowitz@aol.com or at 847-831-1499.

Berdichev – As part of the "Yad L’Yad" program, Beth El will continue to support the needs of our "adopted" Jewish community of Berdichev in the Ukraine. We provide funding, educational materials, and other life-sustaining items as needed. Most urgent are prescription medicines (physician sample donations are most appreciated), vitamins and toiletries. To learn more, see the link at the bottom of this page, or contact Cheryl Banks at 847-432-8903 x242 or cbanks@nssbethel.org

Comunidad Dor Jadash – This year a twinning program was established with Comunidad Dor Jadash, a sister congregation in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Many of our B’nai Mitzvah pair with teens in this economically ailing community, to help cover the cost of Bar/Bat Mitzvah education for a child in the Dor Jadash Talmud Torah Program. For further information about sharing your simcha (perhaps also a wedding or anniversary) with this community in need, please contact Enid and Larry Arnowitz at earnowitz@aol.com or at 847-831-1499.

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These are only some of the many opportunities in our community and in the Greater Chicago area for you to participate in the performance of the mitzvot of Gemilut Hasadim (Acts of Loving Kindness), Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World), or Tzedakah Righteous Acts).

The Social Action Committee has prepared a Resource Directory, containing many more projects. It is available in the Gray Cultural and Learning Center for your review. We hope you will take advantage of this directory so that each of us can find a meaningful way to make a difference.