Our congregation will once again team up as an "affiliate" with BRIDGES, an organization which feeds over 700 homeless and sheltered people in Newark, Irvington and Manhattan each week. Every weekend another group works with BRIDGES and makes 250-300 lunches, as well as organizes a clothing drive for the needy. They then make a "Run" to one of three designated locations to deliver not only the food and clothing, but friendship and warmth as well. Our Temple will participate by making lunches on Saturday, January 28, 2012, and participating in a "RUN" to Irvington on Sunday, January 29th.
This is a great opportunity for our Temple members to help other less fortunate, and is especially appropriate for families with young children. Contact Felice Schneier at 973-379-5387 for more information.
On the second Saturday morning of every other month, our congregation serves a hot lunch at a soup kitchen in Elizabeth. We have a small group of congregants who help serve lunch, and are always looking for new participants who are over the age of 10.
In the weeks prior to each soup kitchen day, several Temple members cook and donate the food to be served that day. Cooking at home for the soup kitchen is a great activity for families with young children.
Please contact Ellen Cohen if you would like to participate, either by cooking at home or serving the meal on Saturday.
In past years, Rabbi Goldstein has traveled to Israel on his winter sabbatical, in part, to make connections between Sha'arey Shalom and our Jewish homeland. In this way, we have initiated a partnership with Kehillat Ra'anan, promoted the Alexander Mass High School in Israel program, and made the plight of Gilad Schalit tangible through the placement of an empty Bimah chair in his honor. This year, the rabbi will meet with victims of terrorism and their families, through "One Family Fund", offering both emotional and financial support. We plan to engage in a fund-raising effort, as well as developing personal relationships, to show Sha'arey Shalom's support and love for an Israeli family victimized by terror.
This year, we will join with other area congregations, hosting those who are homeless, on a weekend in the Fall and Spring. Our guests will be housed at the Presbyterian Church Parish House. We are truly proud to offer this opportunity to reach out to those in need.
Fill up a grocery bag with non perishable food and bring it to the Temple between Rosh Ha'shanah and Yom Kippur, and we will have it donated to shelters and local Food Banks.
Kehillat Ra'anan is a liberal Israeli Jewish community with whom we are establishing a close relationship. Both Rabbi Goldstein and Rabbi Tamar Kolberg visited each other's congregations last year, and we envision a vibrant relationship in many different ways.
Join us for a Sukkot walk in Briant Park to support "Walk for Water" in Israel. A great activity for all ages.