Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Over 1000 pairs of shoes sent to Kenya

On Sunday, November 8, 225 volunteers and 50 Volunteer Captains from Congregation Shir Ha-Ma'alot set out all over Orange County to make a difference for those in need.
More than 15 different non-profits benefited from their efforts.
Laguna Beach Friendship Shelter, lead by Phil Kaplan, provided lunch for 32 residents.
Hemopet Life Line, lead by John Forbes, realized an army of volunteer dog walkers for the many greyhounds at their facility.
The Jessica Herron Inner City Partnership, Lead by Viki Zuckerman and Dana Herron, collected sleeping bags along with sign ups to provide assistance for our local community over the holiday season.
Bone Marrow Registry was on hand to enroll possible donors for their life saving efforts as was The American Red Cross Blood Donor, and Organ Donor registry.
200 fleece dog toys and blankets were handcrafted and Donated to the Irvine Animal shelter.
Ronald McDonald house recieved travel size toiletries, baked goods and even had there orange trees picked.
Binky Patrol was on hand to knit squares that will be made into blankets and donated to families in need of warmth and comfort.
Donations were collected for Jewish Family Service to assist with crisis counseling.
The Darfur Action table sent more than 80 letters to President Obama to encourage his continued efforts at a peaceful resolution.
30 people went out and cleaned the beach of debris on behalf of Orange County Coastkeeper.
25 Members joined in the Walk to Cure Diabetes at UCI.
Several Members of the Junior Choir went to an assisted living facility for the elderly and provided music and a bright spot for many feeling lonliness and isolation.
A garage sale to benefit needy families was held in Aliso Viejo.
The largest collection of shoes, over 1000 pair, were collected to benefit Share Our Soles. The shoes will be sent to the organizations SOS center located at USC. From there, they will be sent to Kenya to be distributed to many living well below the poverty level. This event was coordinated by Wendy Leberman, myself, and Rabbi Richard Steinberg.

With some creativity, enthusiasm; and muscle, much can be done to make a real difference with out significant cost.
It is inspiring to see so many people feeling compassion for others.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Women of Vision to Host talk on Darfur Thursday May 14th.

On May 14th, The Orange County Chapter of Women of Vision will meet to promote action for the refugees of Darfur.
Beverly Peters and Cheryl Young will be hosting this event to update, educate, and promote continued action on behalf of the refugees of Darfur.

Guest Speakers will be Kristen Perlmutter, Co-chair of the Darfur Action Committee of Shir Ha Ma'alot and Collette Kaplan, Chair of Social Action and Activist for the Save Darfur Coalition.

Members in attendance will be encouraged to participate in the upcoming Walk for Darfur in Fountain Valley's Square Mile Park Sunday May 17th. In addition, cell phones will be programed to dial 1 800 GENOCIDE to make monthly calls to the White House in support of a multilateral peace agreement and concrete action for the millions who have been displaced.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Orange County Walk for Darfur

On Sunday, May 17th, Jewish World Watch in partnership with Congregation B'nai Tzedek of Fountain Valley will
host The Orange County Walk for Darfur.

This event will take place at Mile Square Park at 2:30 behind the park's recreation center.

This is not a fundraising event, it is an awareness walk.
Please bring posters and signs to make the community aware of the worsening crisis in Darfur.

For more information and directions, please visit www.jww.org

For an update on conditions, please visit: www.enough.org

Thursday, March 12, 2009

"Nothing But Nets"campaign is taking the bite out of Malaria

The moral test of any society is how it treats its most vulnerable. Each year, malaria causes over one million deaths and infects 500 million people. The large-scale impact of this disease devastates society and the economy.

Yet, the spread of malaria is preventable and the solution is simple and cost-effective. Studies show that using insecticide-treated bed nets can reduce transmission as much as 90%. A $10 donation to the Union for Reform Judaism and the United Nation Foundation's Nothing But Nets Campaign goes directly towards the purchase, distribution, and education about the proper use of a family bed net. Contributions raised will assist Sudanese refugees who have crossed borders into Uganda, the Central African Republic and Chad. Save a life – one net at a time, one family at a time.


Whoever saves a life saves the world entire.

Please visit www.urj.org/nets to make a donation.

April is Genocide Awareness Month

April is Genocide Awareness month.
What will you be doing?
There are so many ways to get involved even if time is an issue.

One effective way to help is to voice your opinion to an elected official by sending an email or letter.

Our new President and newly appointed staff, must continue to hear that Genocide is a priority.
Do not let this current administration stovepipe on this issue.

The Save Darfur Coalition has letters set up and ready to send.
Visit www.savedarfur.org

Learn about Genocide.
The American Booksellers Association together with many independent book stores will be setting up special displays with suggested reading materials. One of my personal favorites is entitled, "The Problem from Hell" by Samantha Power.

Make a donation-small donations matter!
For $10.00 you can send a life saving mosquito net to a needy refugee. Did you know that Malaria is the number one killer in refugee camps? The UN has sponsored a program implemented by URJ that is working in several camps and has significantly reduced the mortality rates. The program is called "Nothing but Nets". You can save a life by sending a treated net today!

Visit www.urj.nets to donate to "Nothing but Nets" campaign.

Make April the month you do something about Genocide.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Activists are still at work to help bring an end to a Genocide in slow motion.

San Diego Walk for Darfur

Join friends, family and community members for a beautiful two or four mile walk and rally in support of the people of Darfur. All ages and fitness levels welcome!
AJWS Executive Director, Western Region, Rabbi Lee Bycel, will be delivering the keynote speech.
All proceeds raised will go to AJWS's work in Darfur.

March 29, 2009
9:00 a.m.
De Anza Cove, Mission Bay Park
3000 North Mission Bay Drive
San Diego, CA
Please register for the walk at www.SanDiegoWalkforDarfur.org
For more information call 858.535.1111, ext. 3803 or e-mail: info@SanDiegoWalkforDarfur.org
Please join our event on Facebook and invite your friends.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Giving Back for Life

There is a tradition in my particular faith that encourages the spiritual to pursue the path of "Tikkun Olam". Translated, this means to try and help repair the world where it is broken. Our commitment to service is not unlike many other faiths.

We need not look far to see the broken parts; the homeless, the sick, the poor, the oppressed.

On Sunday, November 2, 2008 I, along with two additional committee members and a number of dedicated Action Captains, will work to introduce more than 300 Jewish and Non-Jewish members of my Congregation to 15 different non-profit organizations in Orange County. It is our hope that those who participate will feel inspired and connected to the organization they choose and incorporate community service into their lives and the lives of their children for good.

We are calling this event "Mitzvah Launch". Traditionally, some synagogues call this "Mitzvah Day" but to limit this work to one day is not really what it's about. It is about making meaning in our own lives and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Much has been said about community organizers and volunteers these days and I have to say that casting negative opinions about a vital ingredient of our social culture is one of the silliest things I have heard someone in politics try to sell. 

Our communities would be worse off if we relied only on our government to house, feed and care for our homeless, organize vital services for the elderly, and provide supplies and programs for school children living at or below the poverty level. Many of these organizations provide government agencies the statistical data they need in order to develop policy. 

Running an non-profit organization requires the input of Attorneys, MBA's, LCSW's, and an army of liaison staff. If these positions were all salaried, most would cost upwards of 50K. Management level positions even higher. 
Most organizations cannot sustain salaries and keep their doors open. They depend on us, community organizers and volunteers willing to do the work, plan the work, and lead the way for others. 

It is appropriate to say these organizations provide for our community, and more specifically provide a hand up to the individuals they serve. Filling in the gaps between a government sponsored program is a tall order. That is why they are worth a few hours or more of our time. 

Here are a few we will be helping:
Ronald McDonald House
Laguna Beach Friendship Shelter
Mercy House
Habitat for Humanity
Hemopet Life Line (Walking Greyhounds)
Binky Patrol
Brit Tikvah (A support group for parents with special needs children)
Jeremiah Society (Adults with special needs)
American Red Cross
Boodle Boxes (care packages) For Soldiers
Heritage Point
Orange County Coastkeeper
Save Darfur (Darfur Action and Aid)

"It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little".
- Sydney Smith, writer and clergyman (1771-1845)

No experience is required to help make the world a better place.