The High Holidays provided an opportunity to reach out and help repair our ailing world, Tikkun Olam. Last month over 1896 pounds of food was collected and delivered to the central Virginia food bank. A number of congregants signed up to get involved with homeless feeding and Habitat for Humanity.
On October 11, Or Amians pitched in to help Bethany Christian Church which committed to provide a full week of shelter/food for homeless men. Under the auspices of CARITAs, Liz Shank arranged and cooked a sumptuous dinner and organized lunches for 40 men and staff. Volunteers donated food, helped prepare sandwiches and assisted in serving the men. It was a great team effort.
In September, the US census released information that 25.8% of Richmond's population now lives in poverty and that over 38% of our city's children are "income insecure". Such families are at risk of hunger and homelessness. Chesterfield and Henrico counties have seen significant growth in poverty as well. We respond with donations to ease the pain but we also need to look at how resources are deployed and policies designed to ensure that children and families are supported.
Or Ami is one of over a dozen congregations making up RISC, Richmonders involved in Strengthening our Community. Each year we take on a new problem affecting those most at risk (homelessness, crime, access to health care, transportation, etc) in the Richmond area. Areas for action are being discerned and will be chosen as topics for advocacy with local leaders. If you would like to learn more about RISC, call Steve Salzberg at 360-1440.
Please remember, we are collecting supplies for tikkun olam projects each month. In November we continue to collect non-perishable food for the Central Virginia Food Bank, as well as winter hats, gloves, umbrellas and/or toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap.
Holidays are important to all of us and some people do not have family nearby to celebrate with. The Giving Heart holds a community meal for hundreds of Richmonders at the convention center. To participate, volunteer or lend support, visit their website - http://www.thegivingheart.org/thanksgivingfeast.html.
The social action committee is planning for the year to come. We value your ideas and would appreciate your thoughts for Mitzvah day projects and other activities for the congregation in 2011 -2012.
To stay abreast of how Jewish social teaching applies to national and international issues, visit www.rac.org the website of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism of the Union for Reform Judaism. The site is full of information and ideas to enrich our understanding of how to live faithfully.
If you want to join Or Ami's social action committee, call Marilyn Breslow at 272-0939.
CARITAS
Many thanks to the generous members of Or Ami who made the feeding of 40 men at Bethany Christian Church possible on October 11. Liz Shank led the effort and cooked up a storm. All the food was donated or purchased from donations. Thanks to all the donors and volunteers. This endeavor could not happen without all of you.
The Simon Family
Samantha and Amanda Mier
Pat Levy-Lavelle
Jennifer Chandler
Stan Feuer and Eileen May
Evan and Michele Nelson
The Penczak Family
Terri Halpern, Elias & Lida Wolman
Amy and Alan Arkava
Sue and Brian Wasserman
Albert Cooper
Sheila Schnitt
Holly Timberline and Family
Fran Seiden
Adrienne Ferris
Beth Miexner
Pat Doniger
Werner Lichtenstein
Fran Colletti
Rachel Lee
Mary Ellen Bearse
Liz Shank
