Social Action

Social Action Team

“The world stands on three things: on Torah, on service to G-d, and on acts of human-kindness.”

Pirke Avot 1:2

The Social Action Team invites you to join us in our continuing effort to “repair the world,” one of the most important ways to lead a Jewish life. Together, we engage in projects and activities that address human needs, such as food, shelter, and health security, as well as welcoming the stranger and building community connections.  Whether by joining our committee or signing up for just one project, please share your talents, energies, and interests with us. 

Ohev Shalom’s mission affirms that our congregation will “open the heart by assuming a leadership role in the performance of Tzedakah, both within the congregation and in the larger community.  Understanding that the execution of Mitzvot is not an option afforded to us, but a dictum incumbent upon us to follow, will help the Ohev Shalom community to reach toward Tikkun Olam.”

Our Tikkun Olam programs for 2022-2023 will address:

Food Insecurity

High Holiday Food Drive – Penndel Food Pantry – Tue 10/4/22 to Sun 10/9/22

Hametz Collection – Mitzvah Pantry – Wed 3/29/23 to Sun 4/2/23

Meal Donation – Advocates for the Homeless & Those in Need – 5th Monday of the Month – Mon 8/29/22, Mon 10/31/22, Mon 1/30/23,  Mon 5/29/23

Economic Insecurity

School and Toddler Supplies Collection – United Way of Bucks County Stuff the Bus – Tue 8/2/22 to Sun 8/7/22

Book Collection – Project Home’s Gloria Casarez Home for LGBTQ+ Young Adults – Tue 10/25/22 to Sun 10/30/22

Coat, Hat & Glove Drive for Adults – Rescue Mission of Trenton – Tue 12/6/22 to Sun 12/11/22

Purim Collection of Health Items – A Woman’s Place – Sun 3/5/23 to Wed 3/8/23

Program with Hebrew School for JRA – Jewish Relief Agency – March 2023

Welcoming the Stranger

Household Goods Collection – HIAS PA – Tue 1/10/23 to Sun 1/15/23

Health

Blood Drive –  Red Cross – Tue 12/13/22

Blood Drive –  Red Cross – Tue 5/9/23

Go Green Task Force

A joint effort of the Social Action team and the Building committee,  Ohev Shalom’s Go Green Task Force helps us fulfill Tikkun Olam by making Ohev’s campus more energy efficient and by inspiring congregants to do the same in their own homes.  The task force has obtained a subsidy to replace several hundred incandescent bulbs with energy efficient LED bulbs; installed programmable thermostats to reduce HVAC waste; obtained reusable plates and compostable cups for onegs;  repurposed existing containers for recycling in all classrooms and key locations; and hosted a speaker to address our congregants on energy efficiency in our homes.  We are in the process of an HVAC energy audit to ensure that we are heating and cooling our campus efficiently.

 

We hope you will get involved in one of our many projects.  New ideas are always welcome.  If you are interested in joining our committee, participating in our activities, or if you have any suggestions for our programs, please contact us at ohev@ohev.org.

 

“The opposite of good is not evil; the opposite of good is indifference.  In a free society, some are guilty, but all are responsible.”

Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel