Tikkun Olam

Join the cause close to your heart or suggest another! All ages welcome!

If you would like to join the Tikun Olam committee, please email the chair,  Marc Rutman (mhrutman@gmail.com). All meetings are open to anyone who wants to get involved.

Classroom Buddies at Lois Harrison Jones Elementary to assist our young students in the community.
We had several volunteers for this year for this program! Thank you to
Anne for her continued passion.
 Email Anne to volunteer this fall, barash.holzwarth@gmail.com.
 
Refugee Work to advocate and provide support.
Thank you to Ben and Laura Lewis and the rest of the group for
your ongoing support and mentorship of the Al Harden family.
Thank you to Libby and Mike Stern for their support with out Ukrainian family in conjunction with Jewish Family Services.
 
Shoe Ministry We raised thousands for the Shoe Ministry and we’ve started to organize the drive for the coming year. Next year, we will be back assisting with the distribution prior to labor day.
be back to an in-person event and will need a group of hands-on
volunteers. To get involved, please email Marc Rutman at
In addition, feel free to reach out to Marci Linas, and Beth Goldman Weiner.
 
RISC – Richmonders Involved to strengthen our communities.
We’ve had past participation and sent members to support the needs of the Richmond Community.
Reach out to Nancy Nelson for more information.
 
RISC Campaign Updates
• Gun Violence
RISC is continues to address the problems associated with violence in the streets.
 
• Affordable Housing
The city recognized this as a major concern and continues to address the problem. RISC continues to fight for those in need of housing or facing eviction.
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Food Drives
Temple Beth EL continues to collect food for local pantries and shelters. Thank you to
all who donated and dropped off!
 
NCJW / Repro Shabbat
TBE continues to be engaged and participates in Repro Shabbat, we learned together
about the importance of reproductive freedom in the context of
our Jewish values.
 
Virginia Interfaith Center
We’ve been associated with the interfaith center allying with our neighbor faith based groups. We seek to invigorate our partnership, encouraging all of our members with the interest.

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 2024.

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.

New Shoes for Back to School

Every year TBE partners with Richmond area churches to bring much-needed new shoes to public schools.  Many students don't otherwise get new shoes to start the school year.  This year we will be collecting shoes and donations until the end of June (2025) so that students have their shoes on the first day of school (as early as August).  Click here for details!

Refugee Resettlement

TBE partners with the International Rescue Committee to help resettle refugee families.