TOGETHER WE CAN REPAIR THE WORLD
“Judaism is the day-to-day mitzvot of our hands and hearts – changing the lives of those whom we willingly encounter, in which the giver and receiver are both enriched. Please join with us as we work together to build community with our Synagogue and with communities near and far.”
-Rabbi Arnold Rachlis
TIKKUN OLAM / SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM
Our congregants engage in purposeful initiatives that enhance people’s lives, both locally and beyond. We accomplish this through Community Partnerships that support non-profits who need our help, and by offering Outreach Services that respond to the needs of our congregation.
TEAM MEETINGS
The Tikkun Olam / Social Justice Team typically meets every other month on a Sunday at 10 am. Contact Rudi Berkelhamer or Jeanne Stokols for details on meeting dates & locations and to learn more about ways to contribute. If you are unable to attend meetings, that’s OK, as there are many ways to participate!
Our next meeting will be held on Sunday, February 25 at 10 am in the Synagogue Library. Sandwich making will be on March 10 at 10:30 am in the Synagogue Library.
We will be working on events for the spring including a reprise of Mitzvah Mingle, another Sandwich Day, Dinner at the Horowitz House, another Think Together Event, and more. Please join us!
Happy New Year TO Friends!
We have quite a few activities coming up this winter. Please mark your calendar and attend some of them. We'd love to have you more involved!
INTERFAITH PRAYER CIRCLE -WEDNESDAY JANUARY 10, 12-1 PM
- There will be another Interfaith Prayer Circle this Wednesday, January 10th from noon to 1:00pm. It would be lovely to have you participate in the prayer circle if you are available. It will be online and here is the link to join on Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJctdOmvrDguHt3Osxo2v2cg7Mybwom0P6zS - The discussion topic will be: Around New Years, many people make resolutions or set intentions for changes they would like to see during the new year. According to your faith background and/or personal belief, what role does God play in creation and assisting us in bringing about changes in our lives?
- Please contact Kathy Brook-Wong with questions
- Tentative future dates for the Interfaith Prayer Circle are:
- Feb 14, 2024 12:00-1 PM
- Mar 13, 2024 12:00-1 PM
- Apr 10, 2024 12:00-1 PM
REFUGEE SHABBAT- FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 7-8:30 PM
- HIAS Refugee Shabbat services, led by Rabbi Rachlis and Cantor Braier,
- The service will feature an interview between University Synagogue member and international trauma coping expert, Dr. Roxane Cohen Silver, and Fulbright Scholar from Ukraine, Dr. Natasha Frolova
THINK TOGETHER-WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 4-6 PM
- Think Together is having an event on February 7 where students at the Costa Mesa Shalimar Center will hear from a community college representative about job training opportunities at the community colleges that do not require a college degree and how they might obtain such training.
- This is an opportunity for TO members who may be interested in helping at this center to get a feel for the program. Some members plan to attend and "host" by bringing snacks.
- Please contact Gail Schwartz or LInda Globerman Jackson for more information.
SANDWICH-MAKING FOR SOUP KITCHEN-SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 10:30 AM -12 PM
- Please join us to make sandwiches for Someone Cares Soup Kitchen from 10:30am-12pm on Sunday, March 10 in the library.
- RSVP to Dorie Solinger or Moshe Goldenberg
- Please bring a knife to spread the butter anda cutting board with your name on it.
Many thanks to all of you for all that you do and and thanks again to those who recently donated to help out the Afghan family we have sponsored with their move into more affordable housing.
We hope to see you at many of these events. Thanks especially to all of those who have stepped up to lead them. It takes a village!
Jeanne Stokols and Rudi Berkelhamer
Tikkun Olam Co-Chairs
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
THINK TOGETHER
Think Together has served more than 150,000 at risk kids in homework centers at 400 school sites throughout California. Over several years, TO has supported Think Together’s programs in various ways, particularly at the Shalimar Homework Center in Costa Mesa.
GIFT OF WARMTH DRIVE
Our Gift of Warmth drive in December was incredibly successful. We provided more warm clothing this year than we have in the past 3 years combined. Thanks for all your donations! If you’re ready to start cleaning out your closets of lighter clothing, athletic shoes, etc., please put them aside to bring over for our continuing Every Day Giving project. Spring will be here sooner than we think. See the flyer for details or contact Alan Nishball at 949-733-2140 or wilnal@cox.net for more information. Donation barrels are near the school entrance at the synagogue.
EVERYDAY GIVING
We had a great response to the Gift of Warmth this fall to donate warm clothing to local homeless shelters. The Everyday Giving program is always active, collecting clothing, furniture, home goods and more. Clear out your space and pass your gently used items to someone who will make good use of them. Bring your donations to the bins located at the entrance of the religious school. Items are delivered to local organizations including:
- Illumination Foundation
- Someone Cares Soup Kitchen
- Working Wardrobes
- OCJCR Refugee Support
- Orange County Rescue Mission
Contact Alan Nishball to arrange pick up/delivery.
HIAS REFUGEE INITIATIVES
The University Synagogue Ukrainian Welcome Circle is excited to share that we have been certified and matched with a Ukrainian family that will be arriving here in February. They include a 60ish woman and her 29-year-old daughter. Their son/brother and his family came earlier and are being supported by another HIAS Welcome Circle with whom we will coordinate. We have a goal of $30,000 to help them for their first 6 months and have already raised 1/3 of that amount. However, we have a long way to go and need more donations. Please consider helping out by donating and sharing this with your friends and families who might wish to help support them. Donations can be made on the Synagogue website by clicking here. Select donation type #20, Refugee Family Fund.
SECOND HARVEST FOOD DRIVE & ILLUMINATION FOUNDATION
Tikkun Olam has organized food drives for Second Harvest, the Illumination Foundation, and other groups that provide food for Orange County residents who are struggling to provide for their families. In past years we have done drives for specific food supplies and at other times we have raised funds to be donated to these organizations.
HORWITZ HOUSE
Horwitz House is a group home in Santa Ana which opened in Fall 2017 for developmentally disabled adults of Jewish faith. Volunteers from TO have provided recreational and educational programs for the residents as well as serving Shabbat dinners to the residents.
Programs have been set up in past years to help many other organizations in Orange County and proposals are welcome.
OUTREACH FOR CONGREGANTS
Bereavement
The Bereavement Committee lends a hand to congregants who have lost a loved one by performing acts of kindness.
US Cares
This program supports congregants who encounter financial difficulty. Members experiencing a hardship can reach out to U.S. Cares personally (contact Jerri Kaplan) or through synagogue clergy or leadership. All requests are handled with confidentiality and discretion. Donations made to this fund exclusively aid our congregants in need.
