Rabbi Todd needs your help to complete his Mitzvah projects!
Sign Up Today for Any or All of 10 Social Action Oriented Activities in 2019! Click HERE for a full listing all of Rabbi Todd's Mitzvah Projects! Thank you for your enthusiastic participation in Rabbi Todd's Mitzvah Projects!
Donate New or Gently Used Children's Books from April 7th through 28th
As part of Rabbi Todd's Mitzvah Project, between April 7th and 28th, please bring your gently used or new children's books to TBS for donation to the students at the Mozart Elementary School in Roslindale, where for 20 years Temple Beth Shalom has been partnered for tutoring and literacy resources. The distribution of books will happen in the last two weeks of the school year so that the students experience the books "from our home to their homes" as a carrot for summer reading. If you prefer to make your donation outside of TBS, please contact Nancy at npkmk1@gmail.com or (781) 608-2030 and she will work with you to arrange a pick up or drop off. Thanks to TBS congregants Dr. Robert and Marilyn Brooks who have generously offered to kick-off this Book Drive with a set of Value Books for the Mozart School. Dr. Brooks' research and teaching is central to the "kindness" and "happiness" movements. Questions? Please contact Nancy Krieger (781) 608-2030 npkmk1@gmail.com. The donation bin is located in the TBS Lobby.
Join a Cleanup Hike and Help Keep Our Town Forest Beautiful!
On Sunday, April 14th from 11am to 12:30pm and/or Saturday, May 4th from 11am to 12:30pm, come join us, rain or shine, at the Needham Town Forest for Cleanup Hikes as we care for our environment in celebration of Tikkun Olam and Rabbi Todd's Bar Mitzvah! All ages and abilities are welcome, under 15 with an adult! We will supply gloves and bags. Just bring yourself, comfortable walking shoes and a water bottle along with a desire to connect with fellow congregants and enjoy the great outdoors while participating in a good deed. All Ages Welcome, Under 15 with an Adult. We will meet at 11:00am in the parking lot of the Needham Town Forest, 1360 Central Avenue. The parking lot is small, so please consider carpooling with friends. Sign up HERE today! Directions: Turn onto Marked Tree Road from Great Plain Ave west of Needham Center. Follow it through a few intersections until you come to a "T" intersection at Central Avenue. Turn left, go 100 yards and turn left into the Needham Town Forest parking area via dirt road. Questions? Please contact Judy Pearl (508) 241-9459 pearl.judy@gmail.com or Caryl Mayer (508) 359-6222 themayers6@comcast.net. We look forward to enjoying this mitzvah with you!
Children's Pajama Drive! Donate New and Gently Used PJs for Donation to Cradles to Crayons!
From April 14th - May 5th, bring in your new and gently used infant and children's sized pajamas for donation to Cradles to Crayons! All seasons and weights and all sizes from infant to children's XL are needed. Empty those closets and take advantage of winter sales and have them delivered from your door HERE. There is also a donation bin at TBS. All donated pajamas will be delivered when TBS works a shift in the Giving Factory on Sunday, May 5th 1:30-3:30 as part of Rabbi Todd's Mitzvah Projects. Consider joining us!! Thank you in advance for your support and generosity! Questions? Please contact Sharon Salinger (617) 243-9018 sharonsalinger@gmail.com or Abby Harmon (617) 285-2557 abigail.harmon@gmail.com.
Calling All Walkers!
On Sunday, May 5th from 10 to noon, join our TBS Team in the Project Bread Walk for Hunger! Same Walk, New Location Option This Year: Needham's Own Cutler Park! Please join us for Cutler Park Walk for Hunger, as we raise funds to support food pantries throughout Massachusetts! All ages welcome, under 15 with adult. This year, there are 2 Great Ways to join the Walk for Hunger: 1) Walk the traditional 20-mile route into Boston OR 2) Join Rabbi Todd, the Markley family and other TBS members for a family-friendly walk around Cutler Park. As part of the TBS Team, a portion of your donations will directly support JF&CS Family Table. REGISTRATION: Required but FREE for those choosing to walk the Cutler Park Loop. Search for Temple Beth Shalom's team and register as a "VIRTUAL WALKER". Click HERE to join the TBS Walk for Hunger team! Can't Walk? Support a TBS team member by donating HERE. THE DETAILS: Meet at the beautiful Cutler Park Loop Trail, Kendrick Street, Needham. Strollers and leashed dogs welcome. The Cutler Park Loop Trail is 1.8 miles around. Stop by and walk around once, twice or as many times as you desire! There are no restrooms onsite. The trail is generally flat with some small hills, parts are rocky and can be muddy after rain. Bring yourself, your water bottle, bug repellant and comfortable shoes and join your community for a spring walk around Cutler Park for this important cause, rain or shine! THE MISSION OF FAMILY TABLE: To end hunger in the Greater Boston Jewish community while serving anyone regardless of religious affiliation. Walk as part of the TBS team and know that you are fighting hunger in the Jewish community and beyond. QUESTIONS? Please contact Bernice Sue Behar (617) 838- 3488 BBehar@jfcsboston.org or Martha Cohen Barrett (617) 448-2409 barrettsofboston@comcast.net We look forward to walking with you and supporting Family Table in celebration of Rabbi Todd's Mitzvah Projects!
Food Drive to Benefit JF&CS Family Table!
From April 28th - May 5th, drop off your donations in the Lobby Collection Bin at TBS or at the Cutler Park Walk for Hunger on May 5th from 10 to noon. The mission of Family Table is to end hunger in the Greater Boston Jewish community while serving people who need our assistance regardless of religious affiliation. Please donate any/all of the following items to help Family Table meet the greatest need: Crackers (whole grain), Canned Salmon, Pasta (whole grain), Peanut Butter, Dried Beans, Raisins, Canned Tuna, Shabbat Candles, Canned Fruit (in juice). Please, no expired items. Questions? Please contact Bernice Sue Behar (617) 838-3488 or bbehar@jfcsboston.org.
People Who Sew and Non-Sewers Welcome!
On Sunday, May 5th from 9 to 11:00am at TBS, join the TBS Sisterhood Project: Days for Girls. Children ages 12 and up are welcome with an adult. Please join TBS Sisterhood as we participate in Rabbi Todd's Mitzvah Project by offering the opportunity to work on our new hands-on social action project making supplies for Days for Girls (daysforgirls.org). Children ages 12 and up are welcome if they are accompanied by an adult. Days for Girls is an international organization providing girls from impoverished countries with a feminine hygiene kit that is reusable and lasts for 3 years. This kit allows girls to go to school during their periods instead of being forced to stay at home and miss 25% of their education. In fact, many of these girls drop out of school because they end up being so far behind due to missed days. The organization provides these kits to girls in over 100 countries. We will help a local chapter of Days For Girls by sewing and cutting pieces of the kit. You will make an enormous difference in a girl's life by giving her the gifts of dignity and being able to continue her education! Sewers and non-sewers are welcome!! To sign up please click HERE. In your sign up, let us know if you are a sewer or non-sewer, and let us know if you are able to bring equipment such as sewing machines, surgers, irons, ironing boards, fabric cutters or mats. Questions? Please contact Susan Patkin suspatkin@gmail.com (781) 856-4487 or Sarah Fleckner sarahfleckner@gmail.com (617) 775-7076.
Calling New and Experienced Knitters!
On Sunday, May 5th from 9:00 to 11:00am at TBS, join the TBS Knitting Mavens to Create Hats for Israeli Soldiers. No experience necessary! All eager learners and seasoned knitters are welcome to join Rabbi Todd's mother, mother-in-law and the TBS Knitting Mavens as we create hats for Israeli soldiers as part of Rabbi Todd's Mitzvah Project! Join us for a fun and gratifying time and leave with new friends and a hobby for life. All Ages Welcome, children with an adult, please. Sign up HERE today! Questions? Please contact:Margie Glou (781) 444-0943 mglou@comcast.net.
Volunteer at the Cradles to Crayons Giving Factory!
On Sunday, May 5th from 1:30 to 3:30pm, all above 5 years old invited and encouraged to participate! In celebration of Rabbi Todd's Mitzvah Project, join TBS families and individuals for our annual shift at the Cradles to Crayons Giving Factory! This is a fun and rewarding volunteer opportunity for all including children as young as 5 years old! We'll meet at Cradles to Crayons, 155 North Beacon Street, Brighton, at 1:15, and will be helping with tasks such as inspecting, sorting, and packaging donations to ultimately be distributed to the children we serve. For example, we may assemble a package for an 18-month-old girl. You would look for and put together a onesie, a cozy layer, a warm hat, a pack of diapers, a cuddly toy, and a wash cloth. Help children, honor our Rabbi, and have fun working side by side with new and old Temple friends. Sign up HERE today! Please consider bringing a donation of new or like-new clothing (newborn to adult medium for children up to 12 years old) and new or gently used Children's Pajamas to meet an immediate need for Cradles to Crayons. Unable to Volunteer? Click HERE to make a donation to directly support Cradles to Crayons. Please make your gift in honor of Rabbi Todd's Mitzvah Project. Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof. Justice, justice shall you pursue, that you may live. Questions? Please contact Sharon Salinger (617) 243-9018 sharonsalinger@gmail.com or Abby Harmon (617) 285-2557 abigail.harmon@gmail.com.
Volunteer at the Greater Boston Food Bank!
On Saturday, May 11th from 1:00 to 3:30 at 70 South Bay Ave., Boston, please join our TBS team at the Greater Boston Food Bank as part of our Tikkun Olam efforts in 2019. Volunteers must be 16 years old or older. We will volunteer there from 1 to 3:30 pm on Saturday, May 11, the Saturday following Rabbi Todd's Mitzvah Weekend, allowing people to participate in multiple social action activities. We usually sort donations and prepare them in boxes for distribution to food pantries and needy families. The work is fun and always enhanced by the enthusiasm of our volunteers. Any able-bodied persons over the age of 16 can come and help. Everyone who volunteers, leaves the food bank with a feeling of satisfaction having done a job to help those in need. Sign up HERE today! We'll meet at the Greater Boston Food Banks, 70 South Bay Ave., Boston in the waiting area on the 2nd floor. Please wear closed toed shoes. Questions? Please contact Stephen Staum (781) 704-1037 snstaum@gmail.com.