Tikkun Olam, “repairing the world”, is a hallmark of Reform Judaism. Congregation Or Chadash has ongoing social action programs as well as special events throughout the year. If you are interested in getting involved with our social action efforts, contact our Social Action Chairs.
PJs and Books for Homeless and Other At-Risk Children
The Social Action Committee announces a new program for this Fall. After Yom Kippur and its Rise Up Against Hunger event, we will start collecting new sets of pajamas and new books for area children who are homeless, in foster care, or in some other way at risk. The books should be roughly appropriate to the age of the children who will be receiving the respective PJs. (No coloring or activity books, please.)
We will then donate the items to a wonderful organization called Pajama Program: Good Nights Are Good Days. Details about the organization (which has been active since 2001) are at https://pajamaprogram.org/.
The staff of the Pajama Program has indicated a particular need for PJs and books for two age groups: 6-12 years and 13-18 years. We hope to collect 50 sets of pajamas and books.
Starting right after Yom Kippur, a bin will be placed in the lobby. Just place the PJs and books in it. Please put the PJs in a bag, so the tops and bottoms do not get separated.
On Sunday October 27th at 12 noon, congregants (adults and children) are invited to count and sort the PJs and books, and then box them up for a committee member to bring to the drop-off location.
Please sign up at http://tiny.cc/sagwbz, where you will also find a list of recommended books for the two age groups.
If you would like to make a financial contribution to the PJ+Books drive, please mail or bring a check to the temple office made out to Congregation Or Chadash, and write “PJ Program donation” in the memo line or in an accompanying letter. Or you can donate on the Or Chadash website (https://cong-orchadashmd.org/support/) by selecting the “General Fund” and adding a note “PJ Program donation.”
What We’ve Been Up To:
Rise Against Hunger – Packing Meals
After the success of our recent Rise Against Hunger program, we are planning next years program now. If you would like to donate to the next Yom Kippur, Rise Against hunger program, please click here.
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First Responders Dinner
On January 21, Congregation Or Chadash held a dinner in honor of our local First Responders. We served an overflowing spaghetti dinner for an appreciative group of firefighters, emergency medical services (EMS) specialists, and the police who work in Damascus, Clarksburg, Hyattstown, and Germantown. It was great to meet and thank the people who serve our community. In return, they were able to learn a little about Or Chadash and our community. |
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Bags of Hope for Foster Children
Please join us in our efforts to help children who are abruptly placed in foster homes, oftentimes without any prior notification. These kids need essential items to bring with them to their new homes. Social workers will deliver the items to the age-group selected, through the Montgomery County Child Welfare Services Department. Click here for more information.
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