Social Action at Temple Isaiah
Temple Isaiah’s Social Action Committee advocates worthy causes, spearheads the action of Temple Isaiah toward ongoing work to repair the world and facilitates our membership’s participation in community service.
The Social Action Committee oversees many projects in the community, all designed to enhance the lives of others. While some of these projects are short term or one-day events, many are ongoing with volunteers from Temple Isaiah regularly attending and participating. These projects are open to all congregants. The social action committee will work with any interested person to help find an appropriate opportunity to volunteer. New project ideas can be brought to our monthly meeting for consideration and support.
If you are interested in volunteering please contact one of the Social Action Committee co-chairs – Amy Faltz, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or Elise Trumbull, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Current Social Action Projects
Coronado School Project: Volunteers from Temple Isaiah participate in two classes at this elementary school in Richmond. Math and reading support are provided along with instruction in art projects. Volunteers also accompany these classes on field trips.
Bingo at Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living: Senior residents of this Danville home have been involved with monthly bingo nights courtesy of Temple Isaiah volunteers. It’s a fun, social experience for all involved.
Byron Park Shabbat Socials: One Friday per month, volunteers from Temple Isaiah provide a short Shabbat service for the residents of this congregate living facility in Walnut Creek. Candle lighting, sharing wine and challah, singing and even some political discussions are all part of the service that the residents have come to look forward to.
Mitzvah Day: Once a year, often in the fall, our entire congregation comes together in large numbers to participate in projects throughout the East Bay. The projects are varied but may include cleaning the environment, packaging dry goods at the food bank, giving blood, providing a meal to those less fortunate, cleaning a school site and many more. It’s a time to spread ourselves into the surrounding areas and working to repair the world. We hope that these projects are the beginning of yearlong involvement in Tikkun Olam.
Winter Nights: For two weeks in December, Temple Isaiah houses and feed homeless families in Contra Costa County as part of the October to May Winter Nights Project, an interfaith effort of several organizations and congregations in Contra Costa County. Hundreds of congregants volunteer to make and serve food, tutor school aged children, provide evening activities, sleep over at the Temple with our guests and provide a warm, safe and nurturing environment for those of great need in our community. This award-winning program has been considered the model for others in the country.
Contra Costa Interfaith Housing – Garden Park Apartments: At this apartment complex in Pleasant Hill, formerly homeless families reside in studio and one-bedroom apartments. Temple Isaiah has been involved in this facility since its inception and remains involved via the Homework Club, Board and Volunteer Steering Committee involvement, special events for residents, clean up days, refurbishing apartments, fundraising and much more.
Tikkun Olam Funds: Donations made to the Tikkun Olam Fund are collected and monitored via the social action committee chairpersons. Every other year, when the pool of funds have amassed to at least $10,000.00, a committee of Temple Isaiah volunteers will solicit proposals from Bay Area nonprofit organizations. These proposals are reviewed and recipients of the funds are determined by this committee. Grants are awarded at varying levels but generally do not exceed $2500.00 per organization.
Additional projects monitored by the Social Action Committee include:
Turkey Drive in November
Blood Donation Drives
Angel Network
Shelter Lunches and Dinners
Shelter Snacks
Loaves and Fishes