Helping others is a core value of Judaism and Temple Shalom is excited to launch a Month of Mitzvah Madness! This is an opportunity for ALL members of our community to choose a way to help others.
Here's how you can participate:
1. Read about the 20 different service opportunities we’ve curated for members of all ages below.
2. Choose a Mitzvah Project and sign up using the form at the bottom of the page.
3. Attend our interactive Mitzvah Madness Kickoff Program on Sunday, January 10th at 11:00 AM on Zoom led by our Clergy and Learning and Engagement Teams.
4. Pick up materials for your projects from the Temple on Monday, January 11 through Thursday, January 14 between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm or by appointment (if applicable).
5. Work on your projects at home! You have a few weeks to complete them. We hope that you’ll take photographs of your service work and share them with us.
6. Drop off your completed projects to the Temple on Monday, February 8 through Thursday, February 11 between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm or by appointment (if applicable).
7. Come to a celebration of our community’s commitment to service at our February Shabbat B’Yachad gathering on Friday, February 12th at 6:30 PM.
Projects Coordinated by Temple Shalom
| PROJECT NAME | BENEFITING ORGANIZATION | PURPOSE | MATERIALS PROVIDED BY TEMPLE SHALOM | MATERIALS PROVIDED BY MEMBERS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snack Bags | Newton Food Pantry | Decorate kids snack bags for the Newton Food pantry | snack bags, stickers | markers, watercolors, crayons |
| Greeting Cards | Newton Food Pantry | Decorate greeting cards to lift the spirits of clients of the Newton Food Pantry | cardstock, stickers, templates for stencils | markers, watercolors, crayons |
| Mask Drive | Newton Food Pantry | Masks needed to distribute to clients of the Newton Food Pantry | fabric, mask patterns | sewing machine |
| Sweet Treats for Purim | Temple Shalom | Bake Hamantaschen for members of the community. These sweet treats will be delivered to isolated members of the Temple Shalom community as part of our Mishloach Manot initiative for Purim. | Easy Hamantaschen Recipe | ingredients for recipe |
| Purim Masks and Cards | Temple Shalom | Make a festive Purim mask and write notes of greeting and love to members of the Temple Shalom community who are isolated during this challenging time. | masks, cardstock | markers, glitter, glue, scissors |
| We are ONE in '21 | Community | Create a sense of hope and unity by creating signs to be displayed in windows ahead of the inauguration | poster board, stickers | markers, glitter, paints |
| Reusable Shopping Bags | Temple Shalom | Upcycle old t-shirts to make bags to use for various purposes for our members | T-shirts, scissors and fabric markers | |
| No sew fleece hats/scarves/blankets | Local Shelters | Help those in need stay warm this winter |
fleece |
scissors |
| Adopt a Frontline worker | Community | Create cards letting First Responders know how grateful you are for their hard work and dedication during these challenging times | cardstock, stickers | markers, watercolors, crayons |
| Tzedakah Boxes | Caring Community | For Welcome Baby Boxes | tzedakah boxes, stickers | markers and other art supplies |
| Blanket and Housewares Drive | Welcome Home Newton | Collect blankets and housewares for those in need in Newton | collected items | |
| Outdoor classroom and playground clean-up | TS Nursery School | Help clean up the outdoor spaces in our Nursery School on the weekends under the supervision of Lucy Banerji, Nursery School Director | n/a | n/a |
| Building Pulleys | TS Nursery School | Build pulleys for the Temple Shalom Nursery School | All materials and directions will be provided |
External Self-Directed Projects
| ORGANIZATION | SAMPLE_PROJECTS | LINK FOR MORE INFO |
| Cradles to Crayons |
|
https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/boston/at-home-activities/ |
| JFCS |
|
https://www.jfcsboston.org/Volunteer/Volunteering-at-JF-CS |
Sign Up for a Mitzvah Project!
