Social Action Committee
If I am not
for myself, who will be for me?
If I am only for myself, what am I?
If not now, when?
If not you...then who?
Here are some of the ongoing projects of the Social Action Committee and of the synagogue which need your support. Please consider these projects carefully and volunteer! If you are interested in participating in any of these projects, please call the synagogue office and leave a message for the Social Action Committee.
Midnight Run
As part of the Midnight Run, a coalition of churches, synagogues and civic organizations, GHC goes into New York City once every five or six weeks to help feed, clothe and comfort the homeless. We distribute clothing, toiletries and personal items which are collected by the Midnight Run organization as well as soup and sandwiches which are provided by you. We urge every family in the congregation to participate in the preparations for the Midnight Run at least once a year. It is a great family project and together we make a difference. We also encourage you to participate in the “run” into the city; it is a chance to interact with the homeless, an experience which gives back much more than it takes.
AIDS Related Community Services (ARCS)
While Midnight Run needs men’s clothing, ARCS, located in Elmsford, also distributes women’s and children’s clothing to families in need.
Bikkur Cholim
Bikkur Cholim is the mitzvah of visiting the sick and helping those who need emotional support of any kind, including the caretakers of the homebound. While each of us have busy and complicated schedules, there is always something we could do to help others in our non-working time, whenever that may be. Such help could include driving a patient to or from a doctor’s office or a particular treatment center, home or hospital visits, relief for a caretaker, shopping for someone, offering a ride to synagogue and more.
Daily Minyan
The ability of the synagogue to sustain a daily minyan depends on you. Some members of GHC have chosen one morning a week for minyan attendance and Friday evening services are a great way to begin Shabbat. Attending a minyan is an opportunity to support each other and the congregation as a whole.
Shiva Minyan
The congregation makes every effort to provide a shiva minyan for each congregant who requires it and we have provided two and three minyanim at the same time. Needless to say, this requires congregational support. If you have had the benefit of a shiva minyan in your home, we hope that you will feel a special responsibility to help others. We hope that everyone will volunteer for at least one shiva minyan during the coming year.
Interfaith Caring Community
Interfaith Caring Community is a coalition of nine churches and synagogues, including GHC, who work together on social action projects in Westchester County.
Leftover Food
If you have leftover food after your simcha, please do not throw it out. Contact Alan Shapiro or Alex Neuburger and they’ll make sure your food gets to a food pantry in White Plains.
Food Collection Box
We have an ongoing collection of non-perishable packaged food in our food collection box in the foyer of GHC. This food is distributed to poor families in Westchester County. Every time you come to a meeting at the synagogue, please bring a contribution with you. “When you come to meet, bring something to eat”!
Hats and Gloves
We collect hats and gloves around the Chanukah season for the winter midnight runs. Watch Hamvaser for the dates.
Lotions, Soaps and other Toiletries
We collect sample sizes of soaps, lotions, toothpaste, etc. for Midnight Run distribution. These items take up room in your cabinets but are greatly appreciated by the homeless. Please save these items and watch for collection dates.
Join us! Join us! Join us!
The Committee welcomes volunteers, participation, requests for further information on these programs as well as suggestions.
Committee chairpersons:
Alex
Neuburger
Naomi Feinkind