caring community
“Caring Community Initiative” pairs families with a variety of TBH-BE Caring Community Committees. Integration of new members happens through personal contact and outreach from our existing members. Our Community provides many and varied opportunities to be involved with helping our synagogue community, our neighborhood, and beyond.
Read below for information on the HESED NETWORK, COOK FOR A FRIEND, SOUP FOR THE SOUL and RESPONSE TO HUNGER
HESED NETWORK
Hesed is a Hebrew word that is hard to translate directly. It suggests kindness, caring, compassion and concern. Our Hesed Network embodies all these characteristics through its outreach to our membership. Our Hesed Network extends itself to those in our community who need special, gentle support during times of transition, crisis and/or joy. We support members of our community who are in mourning, who are experiencing or recovering from illness, or who are caring for a family member while taking the utmost care for a family's confidentiality and privacy. We reach out to families celebrating the birth of a new child, those who are home-bound or in need of companionship. These are the people for whom “Hesed” becomes the embodiment of what it means to belong to a caring community.
Sermon from Rabbi Neil S. Cooper: The Journey of the Soul An Introduction to the Study of Death, Mourning and Comforting - Parashat Terumah
I. MENAHEM AVEILIM OUTREACH TO MOURNERS
When a family member passes away, the mourners must make all the arrangements necessary for the funeral and shiva, at a moment of sorrow, grief and, perhaps, shock. Although these arrangements must be made by family members, there are other arrangements which could be considered. Beyond the funeral arrangements, our Hesed Network functions as a team to help and support the family during their period of mourning. One of our committee members will present a book about the customs and practices of shiva to the mourners on behalf of our synagogue. We can also coordinate meals coming to a shiva house. Click here for information on how to prepare or observe shiva.. To volunteer for outreach to families in mourning, please contact Mindy Oppenheimer.
II. BIKKUR HOLIM OUTREACH TO THOSE WHO ARE ILL
In the beautiful Jewish tradition of visiting the sick, our Bikkur Holim team is ready to offer support to those who are ill in our community. If you are facing illness, whether at home or in the hospital, a member of this group would be glad to visit you. Illness can be lonely; a warm visitor can revive the spirit. If you would welcome a visit, please contact one of our clergy or one of the Bikkur Holim coordinators, Rachel Dunaief or Batya Warshowsky. We are ready to be there for each other.
III. OTHER SUPPORT
- For those who require some extra assistance, our Hesed Network can try to help with meals, rides, etc. Please contact us for more information.
- For those who are seeking prepared kosher meals, click here for a list of local kosher meal resources in the community.
If you have any questions please contact the Hesed Network
IV. Resources
Rides for Seniors and People With Disabilities (gogograndparent.com)
COOK FOR A FRIEND
For more information about the larger program, visit www.kleinlife.org
For more information about how to get involved, please contact Sam Brint
soup for the soul
Each month or so a small team gathers in our synagogue kitchen to cook 30 - 40 quarts of soup. The soup is frozen and delivered, as needed, to members recovering from illness, childbirth or completing a period of mourning.
For more information about how to get involved either cooking or delivering soup, please contact Rachel Dunaief.
RESPONSE TO HUNGER
Founded in May 2009, this initiative was established to provide much needed meals for low-income, elderly, and challenged adults who live in the surrounding areas of the synagogue. Our initial list of recipients was furnished by the Federation Food Pantry and the Jewish Relief Agency. The list has continued to grow based on requests from social workers at the Brith Shalom House, Jewish Children and Family Services, and the Tikvah House which provides housing for challenged adults.
For five and half years a group of enthusiastic and dedicated volunteer cooks have met monthly to prepare 160 nutritious meals, which are delivered to our thirty three recipients. These meals, along with a bag of fresh fruit, are delivered by a team of seven volunteers who, if desired by the recipient, will stay and visit with them. Read More Here.
Due to the closing of the kosher meals on wheels program, The Response to Hunger initiative has tried to fill some of the desperate need. Our meals are prepared and delivered at the end of each month to aid our recipients while they are waiting for their next social security check to arrive.
The Response to Hunger Initiative was originally funded with a generous gift given on the occasion of the marriage of two of our synagogue members. We have continued to fund this important community project with a few generous individual donations and the help of funding from Rabbi Cooper. With careful and creative shopping skills we have made every dollar count. The Initiative incurs no other expenses other than our food purchases.
To continue this critical and beneficial effort, The Response to Hunger initiative is asking the synagogue members to remember the ongoing and crucial funding needs. Time of celebration and memory are excellent opportunities to give to those less fortunate. Donations can be made through the synagogue office.
For more information about how to get involved, please contact Steve Schwartz