13 Months of Mitzvahs

V’ahavta L’ray’akha kamokha – “Love Your Neighbor As Yourself”

Commemorating Shaare Torah’s 13th Anniversary with 13 Mitzvot for 13 Months

The Social Action Committee is pleased to invite you to participate in the ‘13 Mitzvot for 13 Months’ campaign. The campaign offers people a wide range of volunteer opportunities that tangibly connect our Jewish values in doing mitzvot with our synagogue’s values as a caring community. By making mitzvot a central theme in Shaare Torah’s Bat Mitzvah, our community can demonstrate its commitment to Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and recognize the important place this value resides in Shaare Torah’s culture.

Shaare Torah’s Social Action Committee engages the congregation in acts of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) in order to address economic and social needs in our local community, Israel and the world at large. We encourage the Shaare Torah community to participate in meaningful activities to improve our society and help the most vulnerable members of our community. Each one of us can make a difference in repairing the world.

What better way to celebrate Shaare Torah’s 13th anniversary year then to have each one of us make a difference in repairing the world!

Our 13 Mitzvot for 13 Months

March 2009: Let’s Dish!
Shaare Torah will initiate a new volunteer relationship with Interfaith Works—a coalition of faith based organizations in Montgomery County.
April 2009: Sukkot in Spring
Shaare Torah will partner once again with Temple Beth Ami to renovate the homes of area residents who are too elderly, disabled or poor to keep up with the needed repairs themselves.
May 2009: Baskets for Babies
Join us as we collect baby supplies and deliver them to families in need in our community. This annual activity, planned around the time of Mother’s Day, helps families with babies obtain much needed supplies in a caring way.
June 2009: Clothing for all
Volunteers help sort, store, and display clothing items at the Interfaith Works Clothing Centers in Rockville and Gaithersburg.
July 2009: Clean it up!
Volunteers will pick up trash at a lake or stream in one of Montgomery County’s parks.
August 2009: Making the Most of Muffins!
Volunteers will prepare and serve breakfast to women at a homeless shelter in Rockville run by Interfaith Works.
September 2009: Operation Isaiah
Operation Isaiah is Shaare Torah’s largest food drive of the year. All food donations are given to the food pantry at Gaithersburg HELP.
October 2009: Walkin’ and Talkin’ to Combat Homelessness.
Join Shaare Torah as we organize our first annual mini-walk in conjunction with the Help the Homeless Program. Donations raised from the mini-walk are given to Gaithersburg HELP, which is registered with the Help the Homeless organization as a recipient of walkathon funds.
November 2009: Turkey, Stuffing and all the trimmings
As we get ready to celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving, the Social Action Committee and the Religious School reach out to families who cannot afford a beautiful Thanksgiving meal.
December 2009: Let it Snow! Hanukkah Coat Collection
Help us collect coats to give to people in need of warm clothing during the winter.
January 2010: Everyone’s a Winner
Join us as we play bingo, sing songs and visit with seniors living at Homecrest House in Aspen Hill.
February 2010: Souper Bowl Sunday
Each year on Super Bowl Sunday the Social Action Committee and the Religious School collect cans of soup and stew, as well as tzedakah, for donation to the food pantry at Gaithersburg HELP.
March 2010: Do it for Esther! – Social Action for Purim
Volunteers will help the Social Action Committee as it makes Mishloach Manot boxes as part of the Committee’s largest fund raiser of the year. Proceeds raised from sale of Mishloach Manot are deposited into the Social Action Fund and are granted to worthy organizations in Montgomery County, other parts of the United States, and Israel.

How do I get involved?
Wednesday, September 2009 at 7:30 is our first meeting of the year. Please join us to learn about all the great opportunities available to participate in making the world a better place. IF interested in attending the meeting or being involved. please contact Loren Rodwin or Tracey Alalouf.