The beneficiary of Steps for Tzedakah 2008 will be the community outreach program of Kehilat Tzur Hadassah (Temple Isaiah’s Israeli twin synagogue) to a group of disabled adults from Israel Elwyn in Jerusalem. Israel Elwyn is a residential program for more than 1700 disabled children and adults. Every year our goals for Steps for Tzedakah are twofold: to support Progressive Judaism in Israel, and to help strengthen Temple Isaiah’s community.
Recently, Temple Isaiah established a “twin” relationship with Kehilat Tzur Hadassah. The Progressive synagogue is located in the small town of Tzur Hadassah, southwest of Jerusalem inside the green line. It is situated next to Arab communities on the one side, with whom they are working to forge a relationship, and an ultra-orthodox Jewish community on another side.
A few Temple Isaiah congregants have had the privilege of visiting Kehilat Tzur Hadassah, and within the past year a member of their congregation has visited Temple Isaiah. This young synagogue of about 90 families is still establishing itself, using a temporary structure for its kindergartens, which physically and spiritually reverts to their sanctuary every Shabbat.
One of Kehilat Tzur Hadassah’s programs focuses on Israel Elwyn, a center for disabled children and adults. They work throughout the year to involve the Israel Elwyn residents in Jewish learning and joyful worship. The specific projects that will benefit from contributions to Steps for Tzedakah this year are:
• Participation by Israel Elwyn residents at a monthly Kabbalat Shabbat service held at Israel Elwyn’s Tal Residential Center and another service at the synagogue
• Weekly Torah study for 10–15 Tal residents with 4th and 6th grade Tzur Hadassah students to explore the weekly parashat hashavua and its application to daily life and to help these young volunteers understand residents’ needs
• Photography and art exhibits and sale of work by Elwyn residents
Temple Isaiah’s funds go directly for transportation costs, professional staff time, and materials for sales and advertising.
For more information about the fundraiser or KTH’s tikkun olam programs, contact Arlynn Bloom at . For more information in general about Kehillat Tzur Hadassah, or how you can contribute to the Kehillat Tzur Hadassah Twinning Fund, contact the Temple Isaiah office at
Come have fun on Sunday, May 18, join in our efforts to support our Reform partners in Israel and strengthen the bonds of our own Temple Isaiah community. Steps for Tzedakah will begin with a leisurely morning walk from Temple Isaiah to the Lafayette Reservoir, followed by a barbecue picnic lunch and a musical Lag B’Omer celebration led by Joel Siegel. Participants can enjoy all of these events for a minimum donation of $18 per person or $36 per family. Lag B’Omer is a holiday that occurs on the 33rd day between Passover and Shavuot and is traditionally celebrated with hikes and picnics. This year it falls on May 22.
To register,use this form . Forms are also at the Temple office (283-8575) and the sanctuary foyer.
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Steps for Tzedakah Registration FormPlease tear off and return to Temple Isaiah, Attn: Mary Anne Winig, 3800 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549.
_______Yes! I would like to participate ($18.00 donation per person)
_______ Yes! My family will participate ($36.00 donation per family)
_______Sorry, I am unable to participate – enclosed is my donation of
_______$18.00______$36.00______$90.00_____$180.00 _______Other Amount $Participant(s) Name(s):______________________________________________________________
Phone Number: ___________________________________________
Make checks payable to “Temple Isaiah, Steps for Tzedakah” and return with form to the office
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