SOCIAL JUSTICE UPDATES & VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
January 18, 2010
Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 73a.
How do we know that if a person sees another person drowning, mauled by beasts, or attacked by robbers, s/he is bound to save him? From the verse, “You shall not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor!” (Leviticus 19:16)
Haiti
Many of you may be wondering how you can help the victims in Haiti. Below are some links to Jewish responses:
American Jewish World Service:
http://ajws.org/who_we_are/news/haiti_emergency.html
URJ's Haiti Relief Fund:
http://urj.org/socialaction/issues/relief/haiti/
Mazon's Emergency Haiti Fund
https://mazon.org/donate/?c=haiti
Beth Shalom—Social Justice Sponsored Volunteer opportunities:
Tu B’Shevat—Social Justice Luncheon & Torah Study
On January 30th, following regular services, the Social Justice/Tikkun Olam Committee will be sponsoring a luncheon and a Torah Study, in honor of Tu B'Shevat. The luncheon will be sustainable, highlighting local, seasonal foods. Please join us!
Interfaith Winter Homeless Shelter
The Interfaith Homeless Shelter is a collaboration among the faith communities in Bloomington to provide a low-barrier shelter from November - March. If you wish to volunteer, then you must attend a training session. There are two scheduled sessions for January:
Tuesday, January 12, 2010, 6-9 pm, Sherwood Oaks Christian Church (2700 E. Rogers Road) Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 6-9 pm, St. Marks United Methodist Church (100 N. State Road 46)
To find out more, please contact Tom Capshew, project administrator at tom@innerspark. org.
You can also learn more on the interfaith shelter's website: http://interfaithwintershelter.org/
Marsh Mazon Purchase a Marsh Gift Card to help members of Beth Shalom who are experiencing hunger or financial hardship. Members can obtain the cards from the Office or Didi Kerler and use them to purchase groceries or other goods from Marsh. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the cards will go to Gan Shalom. For more information, please contact the Office or Didi Kerler.
Information and Volunteer Opportunities in Bloomington
STAND UP FOR ABUSED CHILDREN, SO THEY CAN STAND A CHANCE.
Become a CASA Volunteer! Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is a volunteer powered program that provides representation in juvenile court for abused and neglected children. CASA volunteers gather information about the child, help identify needs and possible services, and monitor court orders and case plans to help the child find a safe, loving home. This is an opportunity to have a real impact on a child’s life while giving back to the community. CASA is the voice of a child in court.
The next CASA training is February 3 –March 6, 2010, Wednesday evenings from 4pm to 7pm, and Saturday mornings 9:30am-12:30pm. Application deadline is January 20, 2010.
Call 812-333-2272 ext. 14, email monroecasa@sbcglobal.net, or go to www.monroecountycasa.org for more information or to receive an application
Free Tax Help--Help Spread the Word:
The VITA program provides low to moderate income residents an opportunity to receive free tax information, assistance in electronic filing of state and federal tax returns, and assistance in receiving tax refunds fro the Eartned Income Credit that can be worth up to $4,824 for families who worked in 2008 and qualify. There are seven sites where individuals can receive assistance, each with different dates and hours. Details are available at: http://bloomington. in.gov/vita Global Gifts:
Global Gifts is a not-for-profit business committed to serving impoverished artisans and producers in the developing world by: providing vital fair income and employment for people of limited opportunity; marketing ethically produced and ethically obtained handmade products; educating the public about the cultures and traditions associated with items we sell; and helping consumers spend their shopping dollars in ways that benefit impoverished peoples around the world. It was created in partnership with Fair Trade Bloomington and Global Gifts Indy.
If you are interested in more information or in volunteering, please contact Beth Silberstein.
“Green” your life tip:
(From: The Daily Green) At health food stores like Wild Oats/Whole Foods, community co-ops and even many supermarkets, you can often get foods from bulk bins, whether that's candy, bagels, rice or honey. Choosing this option will save packaging waste, and you can get exactly how much you want. Packaging materials make up more than 30% of all consumer waste, according to the EPA. So making a dent in all those boxes, cans and piles of plastic wrap will have a real impact. To subscribe or unsubscribe e-mail:
subscribe: bethshalom_socialju stice-subscribe@ yahoogroups. com
unsubscribe: bethshalom_socialju stice-unsubscrib e@yahoogroups. com |
