Some of our recent programs....

During the month of March 2006, we launched a jeans drive for the Interfaith Nutrition Network in West Hempstead. During the month of March, "March Your Jeans In" was the slogan at Temple Beth Sholom. After we collected close to 300 pairs of jeans, they were counted, sorted and boxed. We delivered the goods to The Interfaith Nutrition Network and were greeted by extremely grateful volunteers. Jeans are a sought-after commodity by all teenagers, and our small effort was very much appreciated.

On Sunday, January 14, 2007 (Martin Luther King Jr. weekend), 25 enthusiastic and energized members of Temple Beth Sholom kicked off their new year with a mitzvah by spending the morning packaging food items for the Queen's Jewish Community Council Food Pantry.

Every month the QJCC distributes kosher food to more than 1000 needy families (Jewish or not) and delivers 320 Kosher Meals on Wheels to frail and homebound seniors. Our task as volunteers was to divide the donated bulk food items (both fresh and non-perishable) into individual packages for families. We quickly grew to be mavens at sorting oranges, potatoes and onions, as well as figuring out the best (and sometimes creative) ways to package cereal, rice, and canned goods.

The Executive Director of the QJCC, Cynthia Zalisky also spent some time with us explaining the history of the Council and the many services it provides to the Queens Community, including counseling and legal services as well as many cultural and educational programs.

For the past year, members of Temple Beth Sholom have been participating in a community Knitzvah in which we knit or crochet baby items to serve as incentives for teenage mothers to take pre-natal care classes at the Jacobi Medical Center. Whether our Knitzvah participants made a 6x6 square that helped to make up a blanket, or completed a hat, booties, or sweater, each item has made a difference in the life of someone else. Recently, our Knitzvah participants gathered again in the TBS gallery to reconnect with one another, and to hear from Ellen Walk, our contact at Jacobi and TBS member, about how some of our items are being put to good and loving use.

We initiate a drive to secure the items for Passover packages that we could donate to Jewish men and women in the military. We organized our efforts and made the donations through the organization Jews-in-Green, which needed toiletries, books, CD’s, games and Passover items. We coordinated with the nursery, religious, and Hebrew High schools and encouraged all TBS members to participate. On March 11, "packing day" there was an air of excitement as the committee set up stations for different tasks to perform that day. The religious and nursery school children made decorative cards for the soldiers and several MBS students helped pack boxes. Many TBS members dropped off their goods and stayed to lend a hand with the packing. We were able to ship 75 boxes to Jewish military personnel overseas. Not only did we feel we made a difference in the lives of others, we felt the power of TBS members uniting for a greater cause.