Social Action
Building Our Connections to the Community and the World Around Us
By Sharon Priven, Social Action co-chair (contact co-chairs Sharon Priven and Karen Hecht: socialaction@netivotshalom.org)
Netivot Shalom is a community that is committed to being both a caring neighbor and a responsible global citizen. Our concern about social justice and our commitment to tikkun olam are reflected in our growing relationships with such groups as BOCA (Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action), Bay Area Cultural Connections (BAYCC), the Progressive Jewish Alliance, and the American Jewish World Service. In addition, congregants have been supporting our sister congregation in Cuba for over a decade. Our efforts in both community service and community organizing are growing; and, as they do, we strengthen our connections to each other and our ties to the world around us. For ongoing opportunities to participate, see below. See below for special events and on-going opportunities. To join the social action e-tree contact socialaction@netivotshalom.org.
Upcoming Events:
Human Trafficking: Global. Local. Stoppable. An event hosted by Netivot Shalom. Join us on June 17th at 7:30pm for a night with Free is a Verb cofounders Nate and Laura Davis and several Bay Area organizations dedicated to eradicating modern day slavery. The Davises are soon to embark on a year-long visit to the Phillipines in an effort to fight human trafficking, but there are many ways you can help locally. This event will include a description of the Davises' work for the coming year, plus information from various Bay Area organizations committed to fighting human trafficking. Please join us for a night of light refreshments and loads of information. Admission is free; contributions are appreciated. More information at freeisaverb.org.
Oakland Literacy Program Needs Your Help: Oakland Parents Literacy Project (OPLP) is seeking donations of new and gently used children's books. This very special and very needed program helps to promote literacy in Oakland by holding family reading nights, a free event for families to enjoy a dinner, a reading, special performances, and which culminates in each child going home with a free book. However, this program is running out of books to give away. You can help by bringing your new or gently used children's books to the Netivot Shalom front office during the month of June. Please contact Carly West (carly.bleich@gmail.com) with any questions about how to help, and for more information about this program, visit oplp.org, or check out this recent story in SFGate: http://snipurl.com/wh565.
Knetivot Knit meets Sunday, June 13th at noon at Netivot Shalom. Come join our friendly group of knitters/crocheters of all ages and abilities who make projects for charitable causes.
Our next opportunity to cook at the Dorothy Day Men's Shelter will be the first Sunday in August. For information or to RSVP, contact DD@netivotshalom.org.
Eco-Metro Guides are back! Save money all year with this book of coupons for green businesses in the East Bay. Business include grocery and hardware stores, restaurants, theaters and more. Buy one for yourself or give one as a gift. Guides still cost only $20 and are available at the Netivot Shalom office. Funds raised support our meals at the Dorothy Day men's shelter. Find out more at: http://www.ecometro.com/splash.aspx.
On-Going Opportunities to Participate:
Netivot cooks at the Dorothy Day Men's Shelter, 1931 Center St, Berkeley. 5 to 8pm. Adults/teens. Every 1st Sunday of the month. Please contact socialaction@netivotshalom.org for more info or to volunteer.
Knetivot Knits: Join this friendly circle of knitters and crocheters as we make simple projects for various charitable organizations. All ages, genders and abilities welcome; instruction is available. Every second Sunday of the month at Netivot Shalom.
On-Going Food Drive: Netivot Shalom supports the Alameda County Community Food Bank! Please help fill the red food bins in the foyer by bringing unopened canned goods and other non-perishable items for donation.
Important Resources:
American Jewish World Service (AJWS): http://www.ajws.org
Berkeley Organizing Congregations for Action (BOCA): http://www.berkeleyboca.org
Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL): http://www.coejl.org
Progressive Jewish Alliance (PJA): http://www.pjalliance.org
Shalom Bayit: http://www.shalom-bayit.org