“In a free society, although each person may not be guilty, all are responsible"
(Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel)
Inspired by the Jewish tradition of engaging in mitzvot dedicated to tikkun olam, the Social Action Committee offers opportunities to learn and inspire action, in response to Jewish issues of social justice that occur on local, national and international levels. We invite you and your family to join us in these projects.
Sort food items at the Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB), the principal source of food for all the local food pantries and soup kitchens in the Commonwealth. We offer opportunities approximately 3-4 times per year. Contact Hal Bryer for more information.
Volunteer with Jewish Family & Children’s Service of Greater Boston to assist families, older adults, and people with disabilities. Opportunities including packing and delivering Kosher groceries from the Family Table food pantry, visiting new parents and their babies through the Lauren & Mark Rubin Visiting Moms program, and more. Find out more here.
Become a Tutor-Help a Student Thrive in School
Temple Aliyah has renewed its partnership with the Greater Boston Jewish Coalition for Literacy
(GBJCL) to assist teachers at the Harmony Grove Elementary School in Framingham. Could you
commit one hour a week to help students thrive in school? Each tutor teams up with a specific
teacher to work with an individual or small group of students. Curriculum guidance is provided.
Contact Lynn Dennis for more information.
Collect low-sodium vegetable soup and raisins for the JF&CS Family Table food pantry in Waltham. Leave your donations in the boxes in the school lobby. We also help with food distributions around the Boston area on the first Sunday of each month. Contact Marla Simon to join us.
Engage with Temple Aliyah’s adopted unit of children, ages 7-13, at the Walker School on Central Avenue once a month from 4-6 pm. Volunteers must be at least 18. Contact Marty Lipman for more information.
The social action committee developed this resource to provide information on what “mitzvah centerpieces” are, why people choose them, and how one can begin and execute the process. Mitzvah centerpieces may be used in lieu of other more expensive table centerpieces, such as flowers, to decorate tables at your special simcha. These centerpieces often contain goods (e.g., food pantry items, animal shelter necessities) that are then donated after your event to the charity of your choice. They demonstrate your awareness and commitment to social justice issues, decorate your tables, AND help others.
If you have leftover food and/or paper products from your simcha, and you are interested in donating them for immediate use by our hungry and homeless neighbors in the Boston area, please consider donating to Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen. Large quantities of food (i.e., food that will feed at least 15-20 people) will be picked up by Bristol Lodge staff; otherwise, leftovers may be dropped off at their facility in Waltham. Please find all the details on the flyer in the temple kitchen or download it here.
Other social action activities at Temple Aliyah, which are described on their own webpages: