Join the cause close to your heart or suggest another! All ages welcome!
If you would like to join the SATO committee, please email SATO chair, Kristin Gorin (kristingorin@gmail.com). All meetings are open to anyone who wants to get involved.
Math Lunch Buddy Volunteers wanted at John B. Cary Elementary School
Mondays, Tuesdays or Thursdays 10am-noon
3021 Maplewood Avenue Richmond, VA 2322
If interested, please email Anne Barash at barash.holzwarth@gmail.com.
Commitment to the Jewish Partnership for Democracy
SATO has made an official commitment to recruit 6 poll workers for the upcoming election. If you have questions, would like to sign up, or help us recruit for this important non-partisan work, please email Kristin Gorin (kristingorin@gmail.com). More information here: https://www.jewishdemocracy.org
Ukraine
Our hearts are breaking as we watch the humanitarian crisis unfold. There are many trusted ways to help!
Jewish Comm. Federation of Richmond (JCFR) Emergency Fund
The American Joint Distribution Committee (JDC)
HIAS- donate HIAS - take action UNICEF
Learn more about the region and understanding Putin with these books: Timothy Snyder's The Road to Unfreedom , Masha Gessen’s The Man Without a Face and Surviving Autocracy
RISC
Richmonders Involved to Strengthen our Communities: an interracial, interfaith, nonpartisan organization uniting diverse congregations. Together, we build the power of organized people in Richmond, Chesterfield, and Henrico to take direct action for just policies and practices.
This year we are working on the housing crisis and decreasing group violence. These issues were voted on by RISC members back on the fall and we spent several months researching solutions. We will be asking the mayor and city council for additional funds in the affordable housing trust fund and the eviction diversion program and when appropriate we will be asking the mayor and police chief to contract with the National Network for Safe Communities.
New RISC cycle starting in the fall. We want to hear about what keeps you up at night. Listening process and TBE house meeting will be on October 24th. All are welcome. Community Problem Assembly is in November 2022, and the Rally and Nehemiah Action are in the spring of 2023.
To find out more about this very exciting and gratifying organization please email Kristin Gorin.
Save the James
Calling all walkers, boaters and paddlers! Plan now to help James River Advisory Council clean up the river at any of the numerous official cleanup sites along the James. For more than two decades, the James River Regional Cleanup has attracted hundreds of volunteers who roam the shorelines on foot and cruise the water in boats to clean up trash, an effort that is a tremendous benefit to the river, its wildlife, and the people who visit and enjoy the river. A group of TBE members participate in this event once per year. Next event is summer 2023.
VICPP
The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy engages people of faith and goodwill in advocating economic, racial, social and environmental justice in Virginia’s policies and practices through education, prayer and action. If you or someone you know are interested in getting involved in the pursuit of farmworkers' rights, join Kristin Gorin for VICPP's trip to the Eastern Shore on August 28. Click here to register.
Temple Beth-El is proud to join the Jewish Partnership for Democracy
This network of Jewish organizations works to protect and strengthen American democracy. Our team has joined with a founding commitment to recruit 6 poll workers in support of free, fair, safe, and accessible elections this November. Interested in learning more or helping us achieve this goal? Email our social action committee chairperson, Kristin Gorin (kristingorin@gmail.com).
Click here to read the Forward article!
SATO's Chesed Work
We are collecting non-perishable food for the 2022 High Holy Day season. Look for collection boxes at the religious school and the Grove Ave. office through Sukkot.
Upcoming events
Afghanistan
Our trusted partner organizations offer many ways to help:
The Islamic Center of Virginia is collecting donations here (please select the REFUGEE category). The Greater Richmond Area is seeing a big influx of Afghan refugees being temporarily housed at nearby Fort Lee. Some families will be resettled in Richmond and some will move on to other cities/states. A large number is expected to stay in Richmond. The logistics of collecting donations has been complicated due to uncertainty about numbers, items needed, lack of storage space and difficulty in getting donated items to Fort Lee without proper clearances. The Islamic Center has made some progress in resolving those issues. They are very involved in this effort and are very grateful for the tremendous generosity of the Richmond Jewish community.
Reestablish Richmond has launched a Support Afghan Evacuation Campaign. To learn more about and support this response, click here.
HIAS, a national Jewish organization supporting refugees, has put together this resource page .
International Rescue Committee, which actively works to resettle refugees, asylum seekers, and SIV holders, has also created a resource page here .
If you are interested in helping to develop an organized congregational response to the Afghanistan crisis, please email Rabbi Knopf here .
Temple Beth-El is a HIAS Welcome Campaign Congregation.
Read more.
