Mitzvah Day Success!
Date: Apr 1, 2025
Author: Galit, Mitzvah Day lead organizer
Each year adults and children from the Shir Hadash community participate in a Mitzvah Day focusing on a variety of projects for the benefit of the temple and local communities. This year, we had our Mitzvah Day on the last Sunday of March, just in time for Passover and Spring. We kicked off the day with some gourmet coffee, pastries and schmoozing, courtesy of the Kulanu Cafe team, and a kid-friendly joyous service led by Rabbi Nico and our Kulanu Madrichim. We then each went off to the different projects and WOW did we accomplish a lot!
336 Passover Bags for our Jewish Older Adult and Holocaust Survivor neighbours were prepared onsite at Jewish Family Services, led by Ivy Chesser.
Each bag had a colorful Passover Card made by our congregation's kids, led by Carolyn Kerlin.
200+ Kits of Essentials for the Unhoused were assembled from items purchased and donated by congregants, from large totes to small handheld kits, led by Lucia Cytrynowicz. A few kits are in a box in the office lobby for congregants to take with them to gift to people they see within their daily lives. Please stop by to pick up a few
135 lunches were freshly made and provided to Loaves and Fishes to distribute to the hungry, led by Davida Rosenbaum and Cindy Gordon.
117 Paracord Lanyards for first responders and troops were hand made along with and handwritten cards through Operation Gratitude, led by Aviva Paul.
27 boxes of Infant Clothes were sorted, folded, and packed for Loved Twice, led by Jennifer Carranza. Special thank you to our thrifters, Yelena Kessel and Lisa Hoffman who maxed our donated budget to get even more clothes.
Our Garden Beds Walkways were revitalized under grey, damp skies, thanks to a dozen congregants, from young to older. Everyone worked beautifully together in this project led by Stuart Kazman. Peek around the corner behind the sanctuary and take a look.
Six friendly callers made 732 calls, had 58 conversations and got 37 households to commit to vote for the Reform Movement on the World Zionist Congress elections, led by Diane Fisher. Go to VOTE4REFORM.ORG to learn more.
A brimming bag-full of cheery Dog Toys were hand knotted by adults and kids, led by Mitchell Wunsh.
Fleece Blankets were hand sewn, led by a LynnAnn Levi, the Chairperson of Knitzvah .
Thanks to the amazing Congregation Shir Hadash community coming together on Mitzvah Day so much was accomplished! Thank you all who volunteered and to our amazing Mitzvah Project Leaders!