SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE MISSION STATEMENT
In the spirit of Tikkun Olam, the Social Action Committee provides programs and activities to both educate and improve the health and well-being of our members, the environment and those in need within the community at-large.
 BIKUR CHOLIM
The Jewish tradition of bikur cholim (be-core kho-leem), Hebrew for "visiting the sick," calls on us to support the needs of those who are ill or isolated. Beth El volunteers provide transportation for our members to Beth El services and programs as well as to doctor appointments. Our committee works to maintain a lifeline connection with those who are homebound or need our support through telephone calls and personal visits.
Transportation Sub-Committee --Transportation needs are coordinated by Beth El congregant Paul Sheitel at psheit@verizon.net.
Caring Committee Sub-Committee -The Caring Committee phone squad is chaired by Beth El congregant Hulane Zolet.
For more information about our Bikur Cholim committee or to volunteer, contact Beth El members Jeanette Davis at jeajekdavis@hotmail.com or Merle Eiss at meiss32@comcast.net.
CLOTHING AND LINEN COLLECTIONS
We accept donated clothing, bed linens or bath towels that are in good condition. Our volunteers sort and deliver the items to such organizations as: South Baltimore Station (www.baltimorestation.org),
Community Crisis Center in Reisterstown (www.communitycrisiscenter.org), Baltimore County Department of Social Services and House of Ruth (www.hruth.org). We request that you bag the linens and bath towels separately from the clothing.
ADDITIONAL COLLECTIONS
Cell phones, eyeglasses and hearing aids are also collected at the reception desk.
All donations are tax deductible: see Beth El receptionist for a receipt.
THE COMMUNITY CRISIS CENTER
Beth El congregants support this important human services organization by
donating nonperishable food and toiletries and by volunteering at the Center, which is located on Main Street in Reisterstown. The Center’s mission is the prevention of homelessness in the Reisterstown, Owings Mills and Glyndon communities, and its website is www.communitycrisiscenter.org. For more information, contact Beth El member Tammy Schnydman at tammyschnydman@comcast.net.
 ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE
The Environmental Committee represents Beth El Congregation on the Baltimore Jewish Environmental Network (BJEN).
We work to heighten awareness of conservation and “green living” for the Beth El facility, our congregants, school children and the general community. For more information or to join our Environmental Committee, contact Beth El member Donna Brown at deebeedesigns@yahoo.com.
HEALTH COMMITTEE
The Health Committee organizes seminars and workshops throughout the year on health-related issues. We also organize the blood donation days at Beth El. For more information, contact Beth El member Jerry Goodman at jgood18@verizon.net or Paul Sheitel at psheit@verizon.net.
HOPE LODGE
Beth El volunteers prepare and serve full course dinners at Hope Lodge at least six times a year, including Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Baltimore’s Hope Lodge, a facility of the American Cancer Society, offers lodging at no cost for cancer patients from all over the world who are being treated at facilities throughout the Baltimore area. For more information, contact Beth El member Sonya Goodman at sgood18@verizon.net.
MOVEABLE FEAST
Moveable Feast brings hope and caring to people living with HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging conditions by preparing and delivering nutritious meals and groceries. Beth El volunteers deliver food and gifts on Christmas Day and help prepare and package food on other days throughout the year. Our volunteers provide baked goods that are donated periodically.
To volunteer to bake, contact Beth El member Sonya Goodman at sgood18@verizon.net.
For more information on Moveable Feast, contact Beth El member Stanford Schneider at 443-801-7426.
SALVATION ARMY FEED MORE TRUCK
Beth El volunteers go out on the Salvation Army truck on the 1st Monday of the month in the evening to distribute food to people in need at designated stops throughout the inner city. For more information contact Beth El member Barbara Forman at geoffwithg@aol.com.
THE WOODHOLME ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PROJECT
Beth El members volunteer at Woodholme Elementary by helping teachers in the classrooms, working directly with students on specific tasks, or assisting in the offices or library. Interested congregants need only attend a one-hour Volunteer Training Session at the school to qualify. For more information, contact Beth El member Tammy Schnydman at tammyschnydman@comcast.net.
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES
Gift bags are delivered to homebound congregants at Rosh HaShanah and Purim.
Our knitters produce hats and scarves for various organizations throughout the year.
Donuts and sodas are delivered on Christmas Eve to 19 Baltimore county, state police and full time and volunteer fire departments in the Northwest corridor.
For information about any of our special activities, contact Assistant Administrator Debbie Caplan at 410-484-0411 or debbie@bethelbalto.com. |
