Gemilat Chesed
Acts of Kindness (Gemilat Chesed)
To learn about ongoing and one-time volunteer opportunities, join our mailing list by contacting Jenny Hage at jenhage@gmail.com or Liz Rappaport at lrappaport@bethelsynagogue.org
Tikkun Olam – “Repairing the World”:
Projects that Support Organizations Outside of Beth El
Blood Drives:
Twice a year Beth El sponsors a blood drive through Memorial Blood Bank. We need more donors to partake in order to help save lives. Please consider becoming a regular donor at these drives. Contact: Dana Shapiro at danasueshapiro@gmail.com or Amy Shapiro at amyjshapiro@gmail.com.
Loaves and Fishes:
Six times per year, Beth El members, along with members of other Jewish Congregations in town, cook and serve a meal for approximately 200 guests of St. Stephen’s Church Soup Kitchen. We’ve been told our chicken dinners are something in which guests really look forward! Contact: Diana Rosen at rose0392@umn.edu
National Guard:
Beth El Synagogue began supporting its first Minnesota National Guard Unit in 2011. Since then, hundreds of soldiers and their families from all over Minnesota – stationed home and abroad – have received much needed support from dedicated community members. Goods for donation are dropped off daily at Beth El, and packed to be sent off to our brothers and sisters abroad. In addition, we have an email site where people can send kind, positive words of encouragement and gratitude which we print and forward to the soldiers: Cards4Soldiers@hotmail.com. Contact: Pam Friedman at pamela.friedman@hotmail.com.
Learn about the units we’ve supported over the years:
Zabul Agribusiness Development Team (ADT)
C-CO 2-211 General Support Aviation Battalion
849th Mobility Augmentation Company (MAC)
Each year we host the Heroes Among Us Speaker Series, with proceeds going to benefit our unit support initiative.
To learn more about our Minnesota National Guard Support program, please contact: Pam Friedman.
If you have a friend or family member who is currently serving in the military, please let us know so that we can name them in our weekly list of heroes.
Ronald McDonald House:
This committee is always looking for new volunteers to help purchase, cook or serve (one or all three) for the 1st Sunday of the month brunch that Beth El produces at the Ronald McDonald House. Contact: Jenny Hage at jenhage@gmail.com.
Second Harvest:
Throughout the year, members of the Beth El community join together at Second Harvest to unpack and repack foods to be redistributed to local food shelves. Contact: Diana Rosen at rose0392@umn.edu.
STEP Food Drive:
Participate in our yearly drives by 1) bringing your filled grocery bags on Yom Kippur and then helping to unload the truck and sort food at STEP the day after Yom Kippur, 2) bringing food throughout the month of March for Minnesota Food Share Month, 3) bringing items for our monthly themed collections of items identified by STEP as the highest need at the time. Contact: Diana Rosen at rose0392@umn.edu.
Beth El Caring Committee:
Projects that Supports Members within the Beth El Community
This team of dedicated individuals write notes, make calls and deliver challot/meals to members who have recently returned home for the hospital or suffered a loss. In addition, this is the “go-to” list for any other needs that arise – either for the Beth El community or outside of the community. Additional help is always appreciated. Contact: Jenny Hage at jenhage@gmail.com.
Transportation:
On Shabbat mornings we provide transportation for some of our congregants who live at Knollwood Apartments. These congregants are thrilled to be able to attend services. Contact: Margie Goldfine at smmaahome@aol.com
Widows and Widower Bags:
Twice each year, Rosh Hashanah and Pesach, bags with holiday treats are delivered to individuals who have lost a spouse within the previous six months. Help is always appreciated for preparing and delivering the bags. Contact: Jenny Hage at jenhage@gmail.com