Tikkun Olam
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Kol ha-kavod (much honor) to our religious school community. The week before Christmas, Jake Klearman noticed that there was a small group of Eagle County Foster kids that were in need of our help. Without our help, eight kids would not have received any gifts at all. Jake reached out to the B’nai Vail Religious School community, and raised over $800 in donations! Jake and Nancy met at Wal-Mart to purchase the desired items. Jake writes, Your actions/donations will bring smiles and joy to these kids. I feel proud to be part of such a great community. Keep an eye out for information on Mitzvah days. I am looking forward to seeing what we can accomplish next. Thank you, Jake.
The B’nai Mitzvah class, with the leadership of Deb Harrison, decided to spend the $100 in tzedakah money they had raised already this year on gifts for children in need.
Chair: Sheryl Newman Odza, sherylodza@gmail.com
The Hebrew phrase Tikkun Olam refers to the Kabbalistic creation story, in which pieces of God’s light were scattered throughout the universe. These shevarim, shards of God’s light, are hidden in kelipot, the ordinary stuff of the world. Our work in the world is to partner with God to pick up the pieces, by working to restore justice and peace.
When this committee first started organizing in the fall of 2008, the following criteria were established for the projects we would undertake:
Initiatives will:
· Be based in Jewish values
· Be hands-on projects (not simply fund-raising)
· Be serving local needs, in Eagle County
· Respond to specific and timely local needs
· Work where possible with other organizations and existing projects
· Involve as many people from our community as possible, including adults, families, etc.
The first project was a food drive on Yom Kippur in conjunction with the “Make A Difference Day” food drive sponsored by the Vail Police Department. For the past two years, we have worked with the Salvation Army to help replenish and staff food shelves. Our Sunday School students organized and brought holiday gifts for foster children in the valley.
Please contact Chair Sheryl Odza at sherylodza@gmail.com if you have ideas for social action projects or would like to lend a hand.
