Justice, justice shall you pursue.
- Deuteronomy 16:20
A commitment to Social Action and Tikkun Olam (repair of the world) are at the core of Reform Judaism and have been central to the mission of Beth David throughout its history. The Social Action program at Beth David has three goals:
- to educate and inform congregants about social action opportunities
- to facilitate action by providing logistical and administrative support for these activities
- to engage in acts of social justice and Tikkun Olam. Beth David is proud to be the recipient of the Irving J. Fain Social Action award for exemplary social action programming in 2005.
Join the Social Action Committee! We welcome you and/or your ideas.
Monthly Food Collection
This year, we are continuing with our Monthly Food Collection for the Mitzvah Food Pantry. Through the alliance of individuals, synagogues and Jewish organizations, the Pantry provides food in a caring and dignified manner to those in our community who are in need. The program is committed to serving the diverse needs of people who range in age from infants to the elderly.
In order to accomplish this mitzvah, we are asking families to donate non perishable food items each month throughout the school year. The schedule below is based on the first letter of the congregant's last name. Please place your donations in one of the boxes located in the school lobby or the sanctuary cloakroom. Thank you.
Donation Month/Last Name
Sep / A & B
Oct / C - E
Nov / F & G
Dec / H - K
Jan / L & M
Feb / N - Q
Mar / R
Apr / S
May / T - Z
Interfaith Hospitality Network
Beth David is a host congregation in the Interfaith Hospitality Network of the Main Line — a group of churches and synagogues that provide shelter and meals to homeless individuals and families who are working their way back to self-sufficiency. We welcome our IHN guests for a week at a time, once approximately every nine weeks. During our host week, we have a huge need for volunteers for the following:
- hosts for dinner and weekend breakfast or lunch (perfect for family participation)
- overnight hosts (sleeping at Beth David, 8:00 pm to 7:00 am)
- move-in/move-out assistance (on Sundays)
- purchase/drop off snacks and supplies
- transportation of our guests
Aid for Friends
"Aid For Friends" is an interfaith organization whose mission is to provide meals for the aged and frail without family to look after them. The meals are provided and delivered at no charge to the recipients. Each month a group of members from Beth David prepares and packages meals that are then delivered to the distribution center administered by the staff of "Aid for Friends" in the far Northeast.
We at Beth David have averaged about 2500 meals during each of the years that we have participated.
For more information or to volunteer, call the BD office.
Martin Luther King Day of Service
Each year, on the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday, Beth David particpates in a Day of Service with Pinn Memorial Baptist Church in Wynnefield and other area congregations. On January 15, 2007, events will be held at Main Line Reform Temple. From 9:00am until 1:00pm (or any portion of this you are available), there will be many activities in which you (and your kids and teens of many ages) can participate, including:
Recording books on tape for the blind and developmentally disadvantaged
Red Cross Blood drive (please register in advance to minimize your wait)
A teen partnership between Jewish and African American teens
Sorting and packing a variety of materials collected for homeless shelters.
Prior to M.L. King Day, we are collecting clothing for residents of a homeless shelter for families. The following items are needed:
New "onesies" for babies, and socks and underwear
New or gently used coats, hats, gloves, scarves and sweaters.
Please bring donations to Beth David until January 14. Collection boxes are at the school entrance and the coat room.
