MITZVOT

It is our obligation and enjoyment as Jews to perform Mitzvot or Tikkum Olam, acts of kindness to make the world a better place. It very rewarding to make the efforts to perform acts of charity for others.

There are many ways you can be involved.  Our temple can only exist, and in fact thrives, on the many contributions of its community. Why not make virtuous acts, peace, compassion and love a part of your everyday life? Depending on your area of interest, we have many involvement opportunities. Look for areas that may interest you or be creative and get involved in something new. For example, assist on a committee.

Listed below are some current ongoing and annual projects and some other suggested ways to be involved. In a prior Kolenyu article encouraging Acts of Kindness: There are three areas of kindness where one can focus: volunteering, giving tzedakah (charity) and making Beth Shir Sholom a community where each of us takes collective responsibility for one another and with outreach efforts in our community. One need not travel to some distant land in order to make a valuable contribution to society and to one's faith. We appreciate anything you can do for temple activities, ongoing projects or committees.

One of our member couples is seeking to adopt a child. 

You can help by passing the word on to friends. 

Click here to see the message and download it.

We are distributing Mireme Kawomera (Peace) Coffee

Mirembe Kawomera (mir´em bay cow o mare´a) means "delicious peace" in the Ugandan language Luganda. It is the name of a Ugandan cooperative of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian coffee farmers.  Grown high on the slopes of Mt. Elgon, a dormant volcano in eastern Uganda, Mirembe Kawomera Coffee is produced in small batches by the family farmers of the Peace Kawomera Cooperative.  $1 from the sale of every package donated to the Peace Kawomera Cooperative to support their community-based projects.  A portion also goes to Beth Shir Sholom.

To read the full story in Reform Judaism Magazine, click here. 

To download an order form, click here.

Volunteer to Help

Everyone can help in any of the following areas.  If you would like to chair or work in other temple events or participate in another way, please contact the temple office or a committee chairperson. We welcome and encourage your involvement!

• Preparing meals at the Turning Point Transitional Housing in Santa Monica.   About every other month, on Sunday evenings, volunteers from Beth Shir Sholom prepare and serve dinner to 50 clients at Turning Point Transitional Housing.  We meet in the kitchen at Turning Point around 4:00 pm, prepare the meal and serve dinner at 6:00 pm. Please volunteer to purchase and prepare one component of the meal.  Salad, Vegetables, Potato’s (rice or noodles) a main dish (chicken, meatloaf, brisket, etc.) and a desert and next day sack lunches for 35 residents to take to work. Please call Jude Kanter at 310-459-2431 for more information.

• Preparing meals for County USC Outpatient Aids Clinic in East Los Angeles.  When a month contains 5 Thursday’s volunteers from Beth Shir Sholom prepare and serve brunch at County USC Outpatient Aids Clinic in East Los Angeles. Sandwiches for the brunch are prepared on Wednesday Night at 7:00 pm in the temple kitchen.  On Thursday at 10:00 am volunteers are needed.  Please meet at the temple and carpool to deliver the meals to County USC and serve brunch. If you can help in the preparation or delivery of the meals, please call Jude Kanter at 310-459-2431 to volunteer for this VERY important Mitzvah!

  Sandwich Preparation Dates:

  Wednesday, April 28, 2010 and Thursday, April 29

  Wednesday, September 29, 2010 and Thursday, Sept. 30

  Wednesday, December 29, 2010 and Thursday, Dec. 30

• Facilities. Assist with coordination of the internal and external design of the Temple facility.
• Fundraising. Help with coordination and planning of fund raising events, grant writing, memberships and financial strategy.
• Membership. This committee focuses on welcoming new members and encouraging retention.
• Religious Education. Work with the religious school staff and help with programming and activities for the religious school.
• Social Programming. Assist with organizing social events, family retreats, chavurot

Ongoing Projects
Westside Food Bank
Social Action

Meals on Wheels Christmas delivery
Homeless Seder