Social Action

The Jewish Center of the Hamptons

 

 

SOCIAL ACTION UPDATE

 

As the summer approaches, the Social Action Committee has many exciting projects in store for the coming months so that everyone seeking to help Tikun HaOlam will find a niche. This month heralds our Blood Bank drive on Memorial Day weekend.  Helen Barer is organizing the Blood Drive in conjunction with the Long Island Blood Center.  We hope that all our able bodied members and friends will donate a pint of this most   valuable commodity to others whose lives depend on the gift.  It only takes about a half hour and the time will be very well spent. Guidelines are on this page.

 

 

First Annual Mitzvah Day

Sunday, June 1st

 

     Mitzvah Day is an opportunity to participate as a congregation in any one of several activities designed to offer help to others: children; animals; the environment; neighbors and friends who may be in need a little aid and comfort.  It's an opportunity for each of us to reach out   and offer our hand to another. You will also have some opportunities to learn about animal care, plants and environmental stewardship. 

 

     You'll find an insert in this bulletin with the above symbol and a listing of several activities.  Please read it carefully and sign yourselves and your families up to help:  anything from dog walking to coin harvesting; garden clean ups to kitchen scouring; baking to recycling;  letter writing to visiting the home-bound.  There's something for everybody and we'd love to be oversubscribed for all the activities.  There'll be plenty to do on June 1st with good fellowship, a bagel breakfast, a warm send-off from the Rabbi and the Cantor and a shared, genuine feeling of camaraderie.  Feel good by doing good.  And we'll have a great BBQ after the "chores" are done.


     Please let us know your choices by May 10th so we can assign your project.  We will also welcome donations of personal care products to be given to home-bound congregants and other members of the greater East Hampton community.


     Our Pesach food drive was very successful.  The need in the Hamptons for food donations is great.  Thanks so much to all the generous members who make these drives work so well.  The JCOH is very well regarded for its generosity.


     Don't forget to sign up for Team JCOH.  Runners and walkers are wanted for our inaugural race: Potato Hampton on May 25th and you'll want to order your Team JCOH t-shirt.  Together we’ll show the community what team spirit is all about, whether we’re racing for fun or Tikun HaOlam.


     We've begun to plan our Yard Sale Extraordinaire and the committee welcomes all volunteers to help make this our most successful sale ever.  Look for upcoming details in the pew bulletins and the June issue of this publication.


          My personal thanks to all the members who attend our monthly meetings with great ideas and support.   Special thanks to Randie Wasserman who designed our beautiful Mitzvah Day logo; and to Sima Freierman for creating our inspiring T-shirt logo.  We need your ideas, creativity and help too!  Join us - you'll be glad you did.

 

     The next Social Action Committee Meeting is Friday, May 2nd at 1:30 PM in the Memorial Sanctuary.  All are welcome.

 

                                              Margaret deRouleaux
                        Chair, Social Action Committee

 

  

 

A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR LITERACY VOLUNTEERS

 

     We are always looking for literacy volunteers to work in the East Hampton elementary school, and are delighted with the enthusiastic response we have gotten so far this year.  For some however, volunteering to work early in the morning, which is the preference of the school, is somewhat difficult. 

 

     We are therefore excited to announce that we now have another option for those who prefer to volunteer time in the afternoon.  The Bridgehampton Child Care Center on Sag Turnpike has invited us participate with them. The center is in need of volunteers to be reading buddies and/or help with homework for children ranging from Kindergarten through 4th grade. 

   The hours of the program are:  

Monday - Thursday, 2:00 to 5:30 PM

Friday 2:00 to 3:00 PM. 

 

Any amount of time given will be greatly appreciated.

Carol Wenig

Chair, Literacy Volunteers