Social Action
The challenges that confront our greater community are daunting, yet we accept the teaching of Rabbi Tarfon in Pirkei Avot (2:16): "You are not obligated to complete the task, but neither are you free to resist from trying." We can all do more to improve the lives of other people living in the greater Houston area. As Jews, and as a congregation, we are strong when we care for the weak; we are rich when we care for the poor; we are invulnerable when we care for the vulnerable.
A special thank you to our Social Action chairs, Melissa Levin and Samantha Melman, for helping me identify these meaningful social action opportunities.
Want to participate in a project shown below? Contact our project chairs by email, and make sure to include a good phone number. They will send you more information!
To volunteer, contact Mike Levy.
Direct Hope
Chaired by Mike Levy & Nir Stanietzky
On the first Sunday of each month, come rain or shine, volunteers from our congregation will travel to downtown Houston to serve 2 pm brunch to the clients of Direct HOPE. Direct HOPE serves approximately 150 to 200 hot meals each week to Houston’s homeless and low income community members, and distributes hundreds of snacks, beverages, and other necessities. This is a 1 to 2 hour commitment, is family friendly and requires the assistance of 15 volunteers each time. Although Direct HOPE began as a group to feed the homeless, today the organization focuses on helping people build better lives – ONE INDIVIDUAL AT A TIME, so that they can get off the streets and integrated back into the community as productive citizens. Résumé assistance, job connections, interview-appropriate clothing, housing assistance with furnishings, health care and finding emergency shelters are just some of the ways Direct HOPE has expanded its services. Many of their volunteers are former clients and now stand on the serving side of the buffet line each week. See the Facebook page for the incredible individual stories of those whose lives have been changed.
Sponsoring a Refugee Family Through IMGH
Chaired by Rachel Kosoy and Rachel Teichman
We are looking for approximatly 10 families to join together to assist a refugee family through each step of the resettlement process here to America . Interfaith Ministries (IMGH) offers a 6 month acclimation program to help these families become self-sufficient. As a synagogue group, we will:
• Pick them up at the airport • Help set up their apartment (most reside in SW Houston) • Take them to explore Houston • Practice English with them • Show them day-to-day life here, from grocery stores to car washes • Teach them about American work culture and help find them a job • Register the children in school • Invite them for dinner at your home as a group or individually
The family mentoring is a 6-month commitment. Volunteer families will choose how they may best assist the refugee family and commit to visiting or hosting the family 1-2 times all together.
To be connected to our refugee family, contact Rachel Kosoy.
To volunteer, contact Lillie Hurwitz.
The Gathering Place
Chaired by Lillie Hurwitz
Sisterhood has been and is a very important supporter of The Gathering Place program. The Gathering Place is an award-winning, monthly, free program, which includes a wholesome kosher lunch and activities for anyone in the community who suffers from memory loss. The Program is staffed by volunteers from Beth Yeshurun with professional guidance from the staff of InterFaith Care Partners, a Houston non-profit organization. Activities include Tai-Chi exercises, arts and crafts, musical and other entertainment, word games, bingo, etc.
Making Monthly Snack Bags for S.E.A.R.C.H.
Chaired by Vicky Richker and Marsha Abramson
Sisterhood will be assembling snacks bags on a monthly basis for S.E.A.R.C.H. Homeless Services at Beth Yeshurun? S.E.A.R.C.H.’s Mobile Outreach Team provides healthy snacks bags to individuals living on the streets. Often it is the only food that someone will have that day.
To volunteer,
contact Vicky Richker
