Tikkun Olam
"Repairing the world through righteous acts and Tzedakah"
Our Mission Statement: To support, encourage, and enhance synagogue involvement in activities that sustain the concept of "rebuilding of the world, through righteous acts and Tzedakah
Our Goals:
· To provide logistic support for our existing sub-committees, including: funding, coordination, communication, public relations
· To generate additional committees to support one-time and ongoing specific activities.
For more information on the Tikkun Olam Committee, please contact:
Tikkun Olam Committee Chair: Steve Sirkin; stevejew18@verizon.net
CNS Staff Liaison: JoAnn Bezodis, 503-293-7309; jbezodis@nevehshalom.org
Tikkun Olam Projects and Sub-Committees:
Blood Drive http://www.redcross.org/donate/give/
Neveh Shalom supports the American Red Cross by hosting blood drives 2 times per year in November and May, on Sundays 9am-1pm. Check the Neveh Shalom calendar for the next date, or call JoAnn anytime to sign up!
Congregation Contact: JoAnn Bezodis, 503-293-7309; jbezodis@nevehshalom.org
Community Warehouse Northwest www.communitywarehouse.org
Community Warehouse is a volunteer-based nonprofit agency in Portland that provides furniture and household items to people in need, at no cost to them. We need your donations of essential furniture, linens and household goods! We rely on volunteers to keep our doors open. Please visit our website for more information.
Congregation Contact: Roz Babner, Roz755@aol.com
Tikkun Olam & Darfur
Neveh Shalom's Tikkun Olam committee is organizing a group dedicated to raising awareness about the current genocide in Darfur. We will join other efforts in the Portland Jewish community to educate ourselves, advocate, and connect ourselves to the people of Darfur. If you want to be part of the Jewish peoples' promise of 'Never Again," please contact Sarah Greenstein at greenstein_sarah@yahoo.com.
Food Barrels
Neveh Shalom has 2 food barrels (in the coat closet near the sanctuary and near the administrative offices) for the collection of canned food and other non-perishables for the support of these local agencies that address the needs of the hungry in SW Portland.
Congregation Contact: JoAnn Bezodis, 503-293-7309; jbezodis@nevehshalom.org
• Neighborhood House brings neighbors together to feed the hungry, house the homeless, and educate young and old. We strengthen community by providing resources to support self-reliance, economic independence and dignity in people of all ages and backgrounds. http://www.nhweb.org/
• Sunshine Pantry is a nonprofit food bank operated by Sharon Straus. Donations welcome. Find out more by calling (503) 646-6856. Located at: 7795 S.W. Cirrus Drive (off SW Hall Boulevard) in Beaverton
Foundation School Mitzvah Cradle
Foundation School collects gently used clothing and toys in our Mitzvah Cradle to be donated to Neighborhood House throughout the school year.
Congregation Contact: Jan Skolnik 503-293-7307 or jskolnik@nevehshalom.org
Hands On Greater Portland http://www.handsonportland.org/
"Hands On" connects volunteers with one-time projects that required no advance training or experience as well as recurring community service projects of all types. They assemble a monthly calendar of service projects in partnership with 200 nonprofits, schools and community organizations. Neveh Shalom members may join with Men's Club in various projects promoted through this agency or sign up directly at the HOP website.
Congregation Contact: David Sibell, sibelld@ohsu.edu
Oregon Food Bank http://www.oregonfoodbank.org/
Neveh Shalom's Men's Club provides volunteer help for the Oregon Food Bank's "Stock the Pantry" effort on the fourth Thursday of most months from 6 to 8:30 p.m. We prepare food packages for those in need. All volunteers are welcome to join us!
The Food Bank recovers food from farmers, manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, individuals and government sources. It then distributes that food to individuals, families, and a number of other programs helping needy families in NW Oregon. Those most likely to need emergency food are children, working families, the elderly, the retired, the disabled.
Congregation Contact: David Sibell, sibelld@ohsu.edu
Outside In http://www.outsidein.org/
One day a month Neveh Shalom members gather to prepare prepackaged meals for Outside In, a social service agency serving low-income adults and homeless youth.
Congregation Contact: Aviva Zigman, ajzigman@hotmail.com
Shomrei Teva Committee
Shomrei Teva is the congregation's environmental committee. Basing our actions on Jewish teachings and thought, we strive to inspire congregants to take responsibility for God's creation. Projects and activities include restoration of the creek side next to Neveh Shalom, regular articles for the Chronicle, sale of CFL light bulbs, development of a Jewish community CSA (partnership with local farmers to deliver fresh, organic produce to congregants), and the annual Tu B'Shvat seder. We also collaborate with other faith-based environmental groups, including national Jewish groups (COEJL, Hazon, and Teva), other congregations (Jewish and other) and our own Neveh Shalom religious school.
Congregation Contact: Jordan Epstein, yaakovm@comcast.net
Social Justice for Youth
Our Neveh Shalom youth regularly participate in Social Justice projects through the 13 Mitzvot Program, Youth Activities Department (USY, Kadima, and Jr. Kadima), Religious School, Hebrew School and the Wednesday Night High School Program.
Congregation Contacts:
• 13 Mitzvot: Rosana Berdichevsky roseberd@comcast.net
• Youth Activities: Jonathan Emanuel jemanuel@nevehshalom.org
• Religious/Hebrew School: Dayle Maizels-Tyrrell dayle@nevehshalom.org
• Wednesday Night High School: Susan Bernstein sbernstein@nevehshalom.org
Yossi's Suit Closet
Yossi's Closet is a lending service to help growing boys recycle suits for Bar Mitzvah events. We are accepting donations of suits in like-new condition, as well as dress shirts and shoes. To borrow a suit or to make a donation, please contact Stephanie Arnheim.
Congregation Contact: Stephanie Arnheim Stephanie@equityhs.com