CNS Tikkun Olam Social Action Committee –
Coming Together to Repair The World
Neveh Shalom’s Tikkun Olam Social Action Committee is a new social action network that brings our community together in a number of areas to repair the world. The goal of the CNS Tikkun Olam Social Action Committee is to bring all of our volunteer opportunities together and make it even easier for you to jump in and get involved!
Below there are project descriptions and the person to contact if you would like to get involved. Not seeing a cause you think we should support? Contact Lisa Richmond, Program Director at 503.246.8831 or lrichmond@nevehshalom.org to get your cause or event listed on the network.
Upcoming Events
Current Collections Opportunity Through September 8
Support Students Returning to School
CNS is supporting the Grauer Project’s School Supply Drive.
Most Needed Items:
- Crayons (24 ct)
- Erasers
- Folders (2-pocket)
- Glue sticks
- Notebook paper (college)
- Notebook paper (wide)
- Pencils (12 pack)
- Spirals (wide, 1 subject)
- Spirals (college, 1 subject)
Supplies can be dropped off in the bins outside the office by Sept 8.
We are also supporting Project Lemonade’s Water Bottle Drive.
New, reusable water bottles are needed for foster youth returning to school.
Water bottles can be dropped off in the bins outside the office by Sept 8.
Helping the Neveh Shalom Kehillah
Avraham’s Closet – Medical Equipment Lending Library
Avraham’s Closet, a program of the CNS Hesed Committee, is a medical equipment lending library that provides free equipment for those with medical needs to borrow. Thanks to the congregation’s generosity, we have lots of walkers, crutches, canes, commodes, shower chairs, and more to loan. If you have items to donate, particularly wheelchairs, you can drop them off at the synagogue or arrange for pick-up. Please use the contact information below for more information about how to donate or borrow items.
Contact
Cantor Linda Shivers
receptionist@nevehshalom.org; 503.246.8831
Bake cookies for Onegs or Special Events
Love to bake and share your delicious creations? Sign up and we’ll get in touch with you when we are in need of some special treats.
Contact
Lisa Richmond
lrichmond@nevehshalom.org
Birthday Calls to Members
Help members feel special on their birthdays by making a phone call and wishing them well. The recipients love hearing from us and being acknowledged. It is a true mitzvah!
Contact
Jason Nelson
nelsjaso@yahoo.com
Chevra Kavod haMet / Shroud Crowd
Chevra Kavod haMet (Society for Honoring the Deceased) provides traditional end-of-life ritual services for the non-Orthodox Jewish community of the Portland metropolitan area. We lovingly and carefully perform tahara (purifying and dressing the deceased) and shmira (reciting psalms and being with the deceased from the time of tahara until the funeral). Our membership is composed of volunteers from many congregations. Shroud Crowd is dedicated to creating the traditional shrouds, tachrichim, used by Chevra Kavod haMet. (There is plenty of work for those who sew and those who do not.)
Contact
College Outreach
Our College Outreach committee is a dedicated group of parents and members who keep our college students and military connected to our Neveh Shalom family through regular care packages. If your child is away, College Outreach is the perfect way to be sure they receive a bit of “Jewish comfort from home.”
Contact
Michelle Caplan
mcaplan@nevehshalom.org
Hesed Committee
Help your fellow congregants at their time of greatest need by providing a meal, assistance, or just friendship. The Hesed Committee invites you to be an active part of our kehillah by being available to help out other CNS members when a life event impedes their daily activities. Congregants experiencing a medical situation or other family emergency can be supported and comforted through cooking and/or delivery of meals, assistance in grocery shopping or other errands, or simply a caring phone call. Needing a hand? Lending a hand? That’s what Hesed is all about!
Contact
Barb Schwartz at barbschw@gmail.com
or Sheri Cordova at nonasheri43@gmail.com
Shabbat Greeters
At every one of our Friday night and Saturday morning Shabbat services, we strive to have at least two greeters to welcome and schmooze. A friendly smile with the greeting “Shabbat Shalom” means a lot to our members and guests. Shabbat Greeters distribute order of service handouts, siddurim, and chumashim, as well as tallitot and kippot as needed. They answer questions about service participation and help direct attendees to restrooms and drinking fountains. Congregants feel confident that our greeters are keeping eyes and ears open, and communicating with our clergy, staff, and security officers as needed. They allow both new and returning participants to feel at home and welcome in their sacred space. Shabbat Greeters build community!
Contact
Shaina Zins
receptionist@nevehshalom.org
Memorial Day/ Veteran’s Day Flags
Join us in paying tribute to Jewish Veterans as we plant flags at the graves of heroes who served our nation with honor and dedication at Ahavai Shalom and Neveh Zedek cemeteries.
Contact
Michellen Caplan
mcaplan@nevehshalom.org
Helping the Larger Community: CNS Programs and Partners
Cascadia Clusters Tiny Home Project
Cascadia Clusters is a non-profit organization newly relocated to outer NE Portland. We hire and train Portlanders living in a houseless village or sober living community. Our trainees gain valuable life and construction skills geared towards helping them transition themselves into a more permanent living situation. We are currently building platforms with garage tents on top to store building materials and provide covered project space during the rainy months, while earning revenue by refurbishing very low-income apartments. Soon, our new build site will be ready for volunteers to help us build THOWs (tiny homes on wheels) and infrastructure buildings for use in very low-income housing situations. For questions about how you can help one of our trainees, to learn more about us, or to donate, please visit our website or email.
Contact
Website: cascadiaclusters.org;
Charity Drives for Food, Clothing, Household Goods
The need in our greater Portland community for basic items is enormous and constant. We at Neveh Shalom respond by doing what we can to help make a difference. Throughout the year, we ask congregants to help with numerous charity drives. If you would like to start your own charity drive, we are here to help facilitate!
Contact
Lisa Richmond
lrichmond@nevehshalom.org
Community Warehouse
Community Warehouse is a volunteer-based nonprofit agency in Portland that provides furniture and household items to people in need. We are always looking for donations of essential furniture, linens and household goods! We rely on volunteers to keep our doors open. Mark your calendars for Purim! Bring your SPOONS, POTS, AND PANS to the megillah reading. After you use them as noisemakers we will collect them for re-use by families in need!
Ages: 6+
Contact
Roz Babener at roz755@aol.com
communitywarehouse.org
Community Warehouse: General Support
Community Warehouse is a volunteer-based nonprofit agency in Portland that provides furniture and household items to people in need. We are always looking for donations of essential furniture, linens and household goods! We rely on volunteers to keep our doors open. Mark your calendars for Purim! Bring your SPOONS, POTS, AND PANS to the megillah reading. After you use them as noisemakers we will collect them for re-use by families in need!
Ages: 6+
Contact
Roz Babener at roz755@aol.com
communitywarehouse.org
Community Warehouse: Ukrainian Support
Community Warehouse is assisting Ukrainian refugee families and the agencies with whom they are working. Most needed items are mattresses, dressers, kitchen tables, and pots & pans. Community Warehouse has two locations – Portland: 3961 NE MLK Jr Blvd, 97212, and Tualatin: 8380 SW Nyberg St, 97062. Pick-up may be available for larger items. If you have items to donate or would like to volunteer, please refer to the contact information below.
Contact
Roz Babener at roz755@aol.com
communitywarehouse.org
Cooking for Outside In
One Sunday a month Neveh Shalom members gather in the Neveh Shalom kitchen to prepare a main dish and salad for over 100 homeless youth at Outside In. Outside In’s mission is to help homeless youth move toward improved health and self-sufficiency. We cook in the Neveh Shalom kitchen from 12–2pm. Please check for updates on the CNS weekly e-blasts.
Contact
Rick Botney
8888octopus8888@gmail.com
www.outsidein.org
Soup to the Streets
During the winter months, when the need for food and shelter amongst the homeless community is the greatest, congregants come together at Rabbi Kosak’s house, prepare a hot meal, and go to the streets directly to feed those that need it the most.
Contact
Lisa Richmond
lrichmond@nevehshalom.org
Men’s Club Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity believes that every person should have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. They build and repair houses using volunteers and donations. Volunteers from CNS work three to four times a year and frequently collaborate with members of Bilal Mosque.
Contact
Steve Sirkin
503.454.0610, stevejew18@frontier.com or
Dick Cohon
503.644.3862, dcohon@frontier.com
Sisterhood’s Hygiene Kit & Clothing Collection Drive
Transitions Project is an organization that supports and provides a variety of services to adults transitioning from homelessness to housing. We have been collecting and donating items for them, including hygiene items, clothing, and linens. There is a collection bin in the admin hallway as well as a sack outside that is labeled for TP. All items should be new and unopened.
Contact
Dana Sirkin
otrbanana@comcast.net
Shomrei Teva
Shomrei Teva is Neveh Shalom’s environmental group – our “green team.” We aim to provide fun and inspiring opportunities for congregants to learn about Jewish teachings on nature and to apply them at home, outdoors, and at the shul. Our activities include the elimination of food waste at synagogue events, learning opportunities, and Jewish-flavored nature hikes.
Contact
Ukrainian Welcome Circle—ShalomPortland
A group of CNS members are working along with HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society) and the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland to welcome a Ukrainian refugee family to Portland. We are coordinating housing, furnishings, food, etc. and will provide updates in the future when the family arrives about what help is needed in supporting them.
Contact
Lisa Richmond
lrichmond@nevehshalom.org
Chair: Sara Safdie, Co-Chair: Rebecca Smetana
Not seeing a cause you think CNS should support? Contact Lisa Richmond, CNS Program Director: lrichmond@nevehshalom.org.
