Social Action/Tikkun Olam Projects and Drives

A long and proud Jewish tradition at GHC!
If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am only for myself, what am I?
If not now, when?

Ongoing Projects:

LifeLights/Or HaChayim (Tikkun Kehillati, Mishpachti, ‘Atzmi = Repair of the congregation, family, and self).
We now maintain in our atrium a unique collection of 48 themed brochures which address a variety of personal subjects impacting on the Jewish individual and family.

Midnight Run (Gemilut Chasadim = Deeds of Loving Kindness)
Members from a coalition of synagogues, churches, and civic organizations go into New York City on a rotating basis to feed, clothe and comfort the homeless. We distribute clothing, toiletries and personal items together with soup, juice, and sandwiches. It is a great family project proving to our children that we do make a difference! Participate in a "run" into the city; it is a chance to interact with the homeless and is an experience which gives back much more than you give.

B'nai Mitzvah Projects (Tikkun Olam = Repairing the World).
Working in conjunction with the Religious School, every Bar and Bat Mitzvah year student is encouraged to develop a meaningful "Mitzvah Project" to enhance the meaning of becoming a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, a Jewish adult.

AIDS Related Community Services (ARCS) (Malbish Arumim = Clothing the Naked)
Located in Elmsford, ARCS distributes women's and children's clothing to families in need.

BJCC Project Hope (Maakhil Re'eyvim = Feeding the Hungry)
Food deliveries through Bronx Jewish Community Council (BJCC) for the homebound elderly, especially to enrich holiday times. Performed in conjuction with the religious school children.

Bikkur Cholim program (Bikkur Cholim = visiting the sick)
We have a growing group of synagogue volunteers who help by driving a patient to or from a doctor's offices or treatment centers, home or hospital visits, providing relief for caretakers, and shopping.

Need a Ride team (Gemilut Chasadim = Deeds of Loving Kindness).
GHC volunteer offer help to our congregants to offer rides to synagogue events. No one should miss out on a GHC event!

Interfaith Caring Community (Mipnei Darkhei Shalom = promoting peace)
Interfaith Caring Community is a coalition of nine churches and synagogues, including GHC, who work together on social action projects in Westchester County.

Leftovers to Serve the Needy - Food Pantry (Maakhil Re'eyvim = Feeding the Hungry)
Leftover food after a simcha can be donated to a pantry. We also collect food after Shabbat and holiday Kiddushim to donate to needy from within our congregation.

Food Collection Box (Maakhil Re'eyvim = Feeding the Hungry)
We have an ongoing collection of non-perishable packaged food in our food collection box in the atrium of GHC. This food is distributed to needy families in Westchester County. "When you come to meet, bring something to eat"!

Clothing Collections (Malbish Arumim = clothing the naked)
We collect clothing at various times throughout the year: Midnight run, Hope's Door, ARCS, others. See Hamvaser or mailings for announcements.

KOACH ("Strength") (VeShinantam LeVanekha = Teach Your Children).
This USCC and GHC program keeps a connection with our college students by sending them for Jewish holidays, along with the monthly Hamvaser, as well as cybershul from Rabbi Kenter. Contact us to sign up your college student.

Recent and Planned Events and Projects:
Annual Kol Nidre Food Pantry Donations (Maakhil Re'eyvim = Feeding the Hungry).
While we feel hungry, we think of those who truly are hungry.

Annual Thanksgiving Dinner Drive (Maakhil Re'eyvim = Feeding the Hungry).
Thanksgiving Turkeys and Fixings donated to needy families in the Gorton High School (Yonkers) community.

Annual Kol Nidre Sock & Underwear Drive (Malbish Arumim = clothing the naked).
While we deprive ourselves of physical comforts, we think of those who are truly deprived.
Westhab-Interfaith partnership (Gemilut Chasadim = Deeds of Loving Kindness).
GHC members donated household items to facilitate women and their children to transition from institutional life in the rehab setting to independent living. The GHC children received popcorn at the Purim carnival as an added prize for helping those in need.

UJA-Family Food Drive (Maakhil Re'eyvim = Feeding the Hungry).
One of several food collection drives this past year.

Matzah-Ball sponsored clothing drive (Malbish Arumim = clothing the naked).
One of several clothes collection drives this past year, this year headed by one of our "young family group".

Center for Jewish-Christian-Moslem Understanding (Mipnei Darkhei Shalom = Promoting Peace).
Encourages dialog and shared event planning amongst the three faith communities in our area. Our own Rabbi Kenter has been selected as this important center's leader.

Interfaith Programs (Mipnei Darkhei Shalom = Promoting Peace).
Promote cultural and religious tolerance, mutual respect, and friendship through shared celebrations with local churches in our community. In 2009 GHC hosted a benefit concert so that Midnight Run could purchase a new van.

Guest-Host Shidduch (Haknasat Orchim = Welcoming Guests).
We find host-families to enrich the holiday celebrations for synagogue members or visitors to our area who are in need, such as finding a Seder for those without local family.

Home Companion reference repository (Gemilut Chasadim = Deeds of Loving Kindness).
New: Congregants or their family members may find themselves in a time where they may need homecare assistance. We at GHC pledge to help by giving referrals of "good" home helper/assistants that we have utilized in our own lives.

Visiting soldiers at the Veterans Administration Hospital (Bikkur Cholim = Visiting the Sick).
We give of ourselves to those who have given so much.

S.M.A.R.T. aka "Students and Mature Adults Read Together" and S.T.A.C.K. aka "Students Teach Adults Computer Knowledge" (Gemilut Hasadim = Deeds of Loving Kindness).
Literacy and computer literacy teaching through the Jewish Council of Yonkers.

Israel Projects (Gemilut Hasadim = Deeds of Loving Kindness, and Clal Yisrael = Jewish Unity).
Work on initiatives to support Israel and our brothers and sisters, victims of terrorism throughout Israel, rebuilding the North, Yad LaKashish Lifeline for the Elderly, AIPAC, StandWithUs, and countering anti-Israel propaganda).

Masorti/International Conservative Movement Initiatives (Gemilut Hasadim = Deeds of Loving Kindness, and Clal Yisrael = Jewish Unity).
Helping the Jewish communities in Israel, Eastern Europe, and throughout the world.

Africa Projects (Gemilut Hasadim = Deeds of Loving Kindness).
Work on initiatives to aide Africans, including Ugandan multireligious-consortium Coffee, Darfur Solar Cookers, Mosquito netting to prevent malaria, Rwandan Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village to support youth survivors of the Rwandan genocide.

Green Projects (Tikkun Olam = Repairing the World).
Work on environmental initiatives, from local to global. Local example: Bi-annual Dobbs Ferry Aqueduct clean up, partnering with local civic and environmental groups.

Greenfaith Initiative. (Tikkun Olam = Repairing the World).
GHC is now joining a consortium of religious institutions dedicated to "going green" with the goal of fully integrating this philosophy within our religious experiences and traditions. Our own Rabbi Kenter has been chosen to be a "Greenfaith fellow" to help lead this initiative along with GHC lay leadership. More to come!

Magen Tzedek Project (Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof = Pursuit of Righteousness).
Also known as Hekhsher Tzedek. Learn about and promote this new and revitalized "Shield of Righteousness" of the Conservative-Masorti Movement.

We wish to continue to broaden congregant involvement in SATO projects during this coming year. We welcome ideas, energy, and enthusiasm. Make a difference!

For more information on these programs or to join us, please contact Mark Sloane or Lisa Goldman, sato@g-h-c.org