[UPDATED AUGUST 21, 2022]
Social Justice
Every Voice, Every Vote
The Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism in Pennsylvania (RAC-PA) is partnering with the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania for the Every Voice, Every Vote (EVEV) campaign. There are two ways to help get out the vote in our communities:
Poll Workers
Our districts need poll workers. Secure elections are made possible by thousands of Pennsylvanians who serve as poll workers, which is why recruiting poll workers is a top priority of the RAC-PA/EVEV campaign.
Poll workers serve in the county where they’re registered to vote.
Seventeen-year-olds can be poll workers with permission from their parent/guardian and high school principal.
Learn more and sign up to help at the LWVPA’s poll worker website (https://tinyurl.com/3n4436k7);
you must complete training and your election board needs time to determine your placement.
Postcard Writing
Wednesday, September 14 at 6:15 p.m.
In the Lillian and Jack Mervis Social Hall
The Temple David Social Justice Committee is going to have a Postcard Party on Wednesday, September 14 at 6:15 p.m. at Temple David.
The League of Women Voters, OnePa, and the New PA Project have provided the names and addresses of people who are not registered to vote. We will receive pre-addressed postcards and we will have to write a message on the postcard and put a stamp on it.
Let us know if you want to be involved with this. This activity can also be done at home; you could pick up the cards at the temple or we will get the cards to you.
Thank you to all who have already volunteered! We need more postcard writers.
Please let us hear from you!
Kay Liss, Coordinator-Social Justice
kayl@templedavid.org
Beck Abrams, Chair-Religious Action
becka@templedavid.org
Social Action Project Captains Needed!
The fall and winter are busy times for Social Action projects at Temple David. I am looking for congregants to volunteer as a project captain for our social action projects. Please consider taking on one of these project captain roles to help facilitate projects serving our community:
High Holy Days
JFCS Food Pantry Bag Captain—a volunteer is needed to pick up High Holy Day food baskets that the Rabbi provides to families in need. These baskets are located in Squirrel Hill at 828 Hazelwood Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15217. The baskets are loaded into your vehicle and then you bring them to the Temple office to Beverly and Rabbi Symons.
Sukkot Fresh Produce Delivery Captain—a volunteer is needed to deliver the fresh produce collected during the Sukkot Produce Collection to Cross Roads Food Pantry in Monroeville. The donated fruits and vegetables need to be loaded into your vehicle and delivered to Cross Roads Food Pantry at 2310 Haymaker Road, Monroeville, PA 15146 in coordination with Peg and Tim who manage the food pantry.
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Lunch for the Police Department Captain—a volunteer is needed to coordinate the bakers, pick up the ordered lunch at Giant Eagle and to deliver the lunch to the Police Department on Thanksgiving. Beck Abrams will order the food at Giant Eagle. This is a great project for a family to show their appreciation to the police department who protects our Temple David community.
Mitzvah Day
Mitzvah Day Co-Project Captains—two volunteers or a family to assist with coordinating and leading the Temple David Mitzvah Day project on Wednesday, December 25. This is a great opportunity for a family to help choose and lead a project for our congregation in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Pittsburgh’s Mitzvah Day.
For more information and to get involved please contact Beck Abrams at becka@templedavid.org or by calling 412-260-6243.
We will still have our High Holy Day Food Drive, cook dinner for the fire fighters at Christmas, and we will be planning other social action and social justice projects throughout the year! Please participate and volunteer as you are able!
Thank you for considering these opportunities to support our community!
Beck Abrams, Chair-Religious Action
becka@templedavid.org
Local Food Organizations Need Our Help
During this time of social distancing, there is much need for your help for those impacted by food insecurity:
NEW! – Meals for Friends
A local meals on wheels program serving Wilkins, Churchill, Forest Hills, and parts of Penn Hills, needs volunteer meal preparers and delivery drivers.
Please contact them at 412 824 2400 or mealsforfriendswilkins3@gmail.com
Cross Roads Presbyterian Church Food Pantry
2310 Haymaker Rd, Monroeville
Online Donations:
www.crossroadspresbyterian.com/give-to-cross-roads.html
Garden City United Methodist Food Pantry
500 Laurel Dr, Monroeville
Items may be set at either set of doors of church
For more information, contact Pastor Scott Gallagher 724-255-7858
Please call in case items have changed
Items needed as of this writing:
- Mac & Cheese
- Spaghetti Sauce
- 1 lb. boxes of noodles
- White Rice
- Baking goods
- Snacks like granola bars, etc.
- Toilet Paper
- Personal supplies (toothpaste, deodorant, shampoos, etc.)
PitCare Food Pantry
520 Broadway Boulevard, Pitcairn
Online donations:
pitcare.networkforgood.com/projects/73317-pitcare
Or, items may be dropped off Monday between 10 a.m. & 3 p.m. and Thursday between 10 a.m. & 12 p.m.
For more information, contact Heather Liumes 412-337-8266
Please call in case items or drop-off days/times have changed
Items needed as of this writing:
- Cereal
- Applesauce
- Pasta and sauce
- Toilet paper
- Canned fruit & vegetables
Gateway Back Packs for kids/summer nutrition program is now up and running. Items needed are: cereals, fruit cups, applesauce, soup, ravioli, canned pasta, ramen noodles, high protein bars (3 grams or higher of protein), cheese crackers, peanut butter (creamy, no nuts), crackers, apple butter, pudding, fruit chews, juice pouches or Hugs, pretzels, chips, Goldfish, popcorn, granola protein bars (2 grams or less of protein), hot chocolate mix, bottled water, and other appropriate snack items.
Children of all ages will be using this program so, if you can find pop top cans for any items, they would be easier for younger children to open than using a can opener!
Drop off points would be at the Garden City Methodist Church, 500 Laurel Drive, Monroeville or at Temple David (and we will deliver to the church).
