TOGETHER WE CAN REPAIR THE WORLD
“Judaism is the day-to-day mitzvot of our hands and hearts – changing the lives of those whom we willingly encounter, in which the giver and receiver are both enriched. Please join with us as we work together to build community with our Synagogue and with communities near and far.”
-Rabbi Arnold Rachlis
TIKKUN OLAM / SOCIAL JUSTICE TEAM
Our congregants engage in purposeful initiatives that enhance people’s lives, both locally and beyond. We accomplish this through Community Partnerships that support non-profits who need our help, and by offering Outreach Services that respond to the needs of our congregation.
On June 23, over 110 congregants participated in Tikkun Olam's Mitzvah Mingle, an event with projects benefiting more than 10 non-profits including Families Forward, Someone Cares Soup Kitchen, the Irvine Animal Shelter, Laura's House, Think Together, and Habitat for Humanity. Thanks to everyone who donated and to all who attended. A special thanks to Women's Connection for organizing a jewelry/purse/scarf sale with the nearly $600 in proceeds going to Casa Teresa, a home for indigent unwed mothers.
TEAM MEETINGS
The Tikkun Olam / Social Justice Team typically meets every other month on a Sunday at 10 am. Contact Jerri Kaplan, Gail Schwartz, or Cindi Hausheer (TO Co-Chairs) with questions or ideas. If you are unable to attend meetings, that’s OK, as there are many ways to participate!
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
THINK TOGETHER
Think Together has served more than 150,000 at risk kids in homework centers at 400 school sites throughout California. Over several years, TO has supported Think Together’s programs in various ways, particularly at the Shalimar Homework Center in Costa Mesa.
GIFT OF WARMTH DRIVE
Our Gift of Warmth drive in December was incredibly successful. We provided more warm clothing this year than we have in the past 3 years combined. Thanks for all your donations! If you’re ready to start cleaning out your closets of lighter clothing, athletic shoes, etc., please put them aside to bring over for our continuing Every Day Giving project. Spring will be here sooner than we think. See the flyer for details or contact Alan Nishball at 949-733-2140 or wilnal@cox.net for more information. Donation barrels are near the school entrance at the synagogue.
EVERYDAY GIVING
We had a great response to the Gift of Warmth this fall to donate warm clothing to local homeless shelters. The Everyday Giving program is always active, collecting clothing, furniture, home goods and more. Clear out your space and pass your gently used items to someone who will make good use of them. Bring your donations to the bins located at the entrance of the religious school. Items are delivered to local organizations including:
- Illumination Foundation
- Someone Cares Soup Kitchen
- Working Wardrobes
- OCJCR Refugee Support
- Orange County Rescue Mission
Contact Alan Nishball to arrange pick up/delivery.
HIAS REFUGEE INITIATIVES
The University Synagogue Ukrainian Welcome Circle is excited to share that we have been certified and matched with a Ukrainian family that will be arriving here in February. They include a 60ish woman and her 29-year-old daughter. Their son/brother and his family came earlier and are being supported by another HIAS Welcome Circle with whom we will coordinate. We have a goal of $30,000 to help them for their first 6 months and have already raised 1/3 of that amount. However, we have a long way to go and need more donations. Please consider helping out by donating and sharing this with your friends and families who might wish to help support them. Donations can be made on the Synagogue website by clicking here. Select donation type #20, Refugee Family Fund.
SECOND HARVEST FOOD DRIVE & ILLUMINATION FOUNDATION
Tikkun Olam has organized food drives for Second Harvest, the Illumination Foundation, and other groups that provide food for Orange County residents who are struggling to provide for their families. In past years we have done drives for specific food supplies and at other times we have raised funds to be donated to these organizations.
HORWITZ HOUSE
Horwitz House is a group home in Santa Ana which opened in Fall 2017 for developmentally disabled adults of Jewish faith. Volunteers from TO have provided recreational and educational programs for the residents as well as serving Shabbat dinners to the residents.
Programs have been set up in past years to help many other organizations in Orange County and proposals are welcome.
OUTREACH FOR CONGREGANTS
Bereavement
The Bereavement Committee lends a hand to congregants who have lost a loved one by performing acts of kindness.
US Cares
This program supports congregants who encounter financial difficulty. Members experiencing a hardship can reach out to U.S. Cares personally (contact Jerri Kaplan) or through synagogue clergy or leadership. All requests are handled with confidentiality and discretion. Donations made to this fund exclusively aid our congregants in need.
