Thank you for the generous donations of food that were brought to High Holiday services. The Central Virginia Food bank reported that they weighed in at over 2,000 lbs. Please keep those who are hungry in your thoughts and contribute when you come to temple or can make contributions elsewhere.

A family has been selected for the next house to be built by the Bon Air Friends of Habitat in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Powhatan. Permits have been submitted for a four bedroom house to be built for Karen Chandler, her three daughters and son. If all goes according to plan we will start work in mid November. The partner congregations will choose Saturdays so there will be an opportunity to do meaningful work without too many on site.

The refugee family has celebrated their first year in the country. Father Dilli is now on his third job (one folded, the second cut hours) – at a poultry processing plant in West Virginia. He has many expenses there and is barely able to pay half the rent. Daughter Kalpana works 20 hours a week at minimum wage. Wife Shree is desperate to work. Please ask around about jobs that may be suitable. They are hard workers and need something better. If you have a bike you are not using – Shyam and Kalpana would love to have one – and could save some of the money spent on bus fare.

On Thursday, October 22nd, Or Amians made dinner and lunch for 35 homeless men sheltered at Bethany Christian Church on Forest Hill Avenue. The congregation opened their doors for a week to host these men through CARITAS’ winter cots programs. We don’t have the resources to offer hospitality but can support those who do. Contributions to the Or Ami Social Action fund help to make our assistance possible.

Holidays are important to all of us. Thanksgiving is around the corner and some do not have family nearby to celebrate with. The Giving Heart holds a community meal for hundreds of Richmonders at the convention center. The Fall Kallah group will be making 25 centerpieces to make the Thanksgiving meal more festive.  To volunteer visit their website - financial donations are greatly appreciated.

At the High Holiday services the social action committee offered up a variety of opportunities to get involved with Tikkun Olam, the Jewish mandate to heal the world. If you did sign up, you will soon get a call from one of our team. If you missed these sign up sheets, don’t despair – you can call and we’ll be happy to match you with something that may be of interest.

Remember, many are struggling in this recession. We look forward to a year of community investment in making things a bit easier for those most at risk and a renewed sense of purpose for all of us.  Please join in the effort. Our next planning meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 18th, at 7 p.m. at Or Ami.  If you have questions please call Marilyn Breslow at 272-0939.