Social Action Committee Programs

The goal of Social Action Committee (SAC) is to provide TBA congregants the opportunity to take part in Tikkun Olam (healing the world) and perform hands-on mitzvot and activities. We will have volunteer opportunities for adults, youngsters, families, and individuals.  Many of our programs are in partnership with other groups at TBA and I hope that you will find something of interest and get involved either directly through SAC or through another committee, constituency group, or religious school.  You do not need to join SAC to volunteer for activities. Our goal is to be a conduit for providing meaningful opportunities and experiences for Temple members and friends.

Tikkun Olam (healing the world) has long been a watchword of the Temple’s Social Action Committee. From the days in Newark to the present, through a myriad of hands-on mitzvot and activities the Social Action Committee has engaged members of all ages in acts of loving kindness and the pursuit of justice, assisting the poor and disadvantaged, dialoguing with other faiths, assuming stewardship of the environment and supporting Israel. The Social Action Committee’s Green Team led the congregation in pursuit of an environmental certification from the interfaith coalition, GreenFaith which encompasses building practices, education, worship and community outreach.

Here is a sampling of our upcoming activities. Please let me know if there is something for which you would like to volunteer and/or if you have ideas for new programs and events:

Hello TBA Members! Below you will find a variety of programs we are enthusiastically working on. We hope that you can participate by a myriad of ways like attending, or assisting, or volunteering or supporting. We are hoping to keep this section fresh with all of the latest happenings not only around TBA but within our community. Please share your thoughts with us. We want to hear from you!

Warmest regards, Janet O. Penn  & Ruth Ross, SAC Co-Chairs

SAC Calendar 2019/2020
Social Action Committee Programs

         Annual High Holiday Food Drive Outreach>

Shabbat Dinner in the Sukkah (joint event with Sisterhood)

Mitzvah Day (joint event with Sisterhood)
Photo Gallery>>

Turkey & All the Trimmings Food Drive

Women’s Interfaith Forum (joint event with Sisterhood)
Photo Gallery

We get letters of appreciation…so nice!

The Annual Social Action Food Drive
The annual Social Action Food Drive was a great success! Over 292 bags filled to the brim with food! Thank you to the TBA congregational family for your generosity and support!

Dear Friends,

We invite you to attend our next Social Action Committee meeting set for Thursday, February 27, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at temple.

Since we are unfortunately unable to participate in the Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) in June, we are looking to fill the Spring with some meaningful activities that will hopefully engage families to participate.

What we want to do is to create a THINK TANK for some creative ideas and then actually implement them. For example, Sandra Kantor led a diverse group to the Daughters of Israel for an afternoon of playing Bingo with the residents. People who attended are still talking about what a fantastic day it was for all!

Here’s another thought, perhaps we could provide a Talent Show to the residents. What fun…right?!

View this list of some thoughts:

• Neighborhood/Public Park Garbage Clean-up – We can make a big difference by taking a walk around a neighborhood, or public park and throwing away any trash that is on the ground.

• Clean up Jewish cemetery in Newark.

• Playing BINGO with Daughters of Israel residents.

• Producing a talent show for Daughters of Israel residents.

• A sponsored walk for a worthy cause. (i.e., around the Reservoir near McCloone’s)

WHAT ARE YOURS?
We do NOT want to manage any collections/drives at this time as we are hoping to identify some activities that are very hands-on.

Looking forward to seeing you there.

Janet & Ruth

Dinner & Speaker in the Sukkah sponsored by Social Action Committee & Sisterhood—The Women’s Connection

Since the weather was cold and chilly, the dinner and program were held in the cozy Silberman Conservatory with the festive Sukkot spirit still with us! The guest speaker was Jennifer Duckworth, a Senior Environmental Engineer; a Kean University professor; and the Co-Chair of the Essex County Environmental Commission. The title of her presentation was “Easy Ways to Improve Your Environmental Health.”