October, 2009: TEE Rises to Shofar’s Call with Record Food & Financial Support
The High Holy Days Food Drive was a tremendous success! Members of theTikun Olam Committee (formerly Social Action) gathered in Abroms Hall on October 4th to sort, divide, and distribute the contents of 518 bags of groceries brought in by congregants throughout the holidays. Financial contributions totaled more than $41,500.
TEE: 518 bags collected, distributed to:
• Rural & Urban Self Initiative Help (RUSH): 169 bags
• Greater Birmingham Ministries (GBM): 169 bags
• Birmingham AIDS Outreach (BAO): 90 bags
• Grace By Day outreach in Woodlawn: 45 bags
• CJFS: 45 bags
Temple Beth-El: 375 bags collected, distributed to
• CJFS: 327 bags
• GBM: 48 bags
Knesseth Israel: 2 bags collected
See more photos on the Temple Emanu-El Facebook Page!
Heartfelt thanks to volunteers: George Thompson, Sandy Jacobs, Joely Nadler, Julie Anderson, Joselle Morwitz, Anna & Julie Welden, Amy Trammell, Denise Lewis, Sherman Horowitz, Susan Swartz, Vince Rosenthal, Neil Roth, Helene Elkus, Rachel & Julie Marcus, Sherrie Grunfeld (Temple Beth-El), and Susan Biedinger (Knesseth Israel). Special thanks to our Clergy & Staff for their leadership in this important project!
Due to the current economic situation, area service agencies have become overwhelmed with requests for assistance- many more than in the past. The Tikun Olam Committee has voted to begin engaging our congregants in year ‘round food collection efforts through their usual participation in activities and events taking place at here at Temple. Stay tuned for details!
April, 2009: Mitzvah Day
On Sunday April 19th, the Tikkun Olam committee organized Mitzvah day at Phillips Academy in Birmingham. Under the guidance of landscape architect John Russell, parents , students and clergy from Temple-Emanu-El Sunday School along with parents and teachers from Phillips Academy divided the landscaping work into five zones. The trees were pruned, the beds were weeded, pine straw was put down and the stepping-stones were put in place. Even though there was a chance that it would be cancelled due to the weather, the rain and thunderstorms waited until the work was complete.
Click here to see Amy Saab's wonderful photos that tell the whole story!
April 25, 2010: Mitzvah Day
Do you want to make a real difference in the lives of others? Here are 2 really important ways you can do this and fulfill the mitzvah of reaching out your hand to others in need. Opportunities take place at Philips Academy, the first feeds the body, and the second feeds the mind.
· As part of a grant funding a Fresh Fruit and Veggies Initiative at Phillips Academy, the students are exposed to new and delicious fruits and veggies each day and the school needs volunteers to help out. They need help with prepping the fruit and distributing it to the students. Volunteers are needed at the Phillips Academy for this program on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, beginning at 8am. For more information please contact Rabbi Scott or Coach Lockett at Phillips Academy at 256-874-2705.
· Additionally, your time as a tutor, mentor or friend to students at Phillips just an hour a week or even a day a week can change the lives of children who desperately need the attention and care of an adult. For information on getting involved with this, please contact Sidney Conn at 205-251-9396.
To find out how you can help and a personal letter from Rabbi Scott, click here.