NSS Beth El’s Social Action Committee provides opportunities for individuals and families to work together and perform meaningful mitzvot that benefit both our Jewish Community and the greater community around us. We believe that congregants of all ages grow from the experience of volunteering and giving through programs that emphasize the core values of tikkun olam.
We host several on-going and special mitzvah programs throughout the year, so we’re sure you will find a project and cause that speaks to you and your values. If there are other projectsor ideas you’d like to make us aware of, please contact us and share them.
Click here for details about this year’s event! For the past 20 years, Beth El has participated in a program called the Thanksgiving Mitzvah Project. Through a partnership with a local school in Waukegan Illiniois, local families in need of food support are identified. Beth El then requests that congregants sign up to purchase and pack a basket of items that are taken up to the school and distributed. Over the years the project has grown, and now provides hundreds of baskets per year. We recently added Moraine Township Food Pantry to our basket recipient list. We encourage any and all members to participate in this rewarding annual event.
Click here for details about this year’s event! Please donate your clean, lightly used warm sweaters, coats, hats, scarves, gloves, mittens and boots, pre-school through adult sizes. Please consider bringing items to Thanksgiving Mitzvah Day on November 20th. Questions? Call Mira Temkin at 847-767-7229 or email her at miratemkin@gmail.com.
“The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.” Leviticus 19:34
NSS Beth El and HIAS of JCFS Chicago, welcomed a Syrian refugee family of 6 on May 10th. More than 40 Beth El members have reached out to volunteer their time and efforts to help this family navigate their resettlement to Chicago with dignity and kindness. The generosity and humanity of the NSS Beth El community, including the Steinberg Pre-School, has been nothing short of inspirational. Our urgent need at this moment in time is to raise $10,000 for HIAS Immigration and Citizenship at JCFS Chicago to resettle this family during their first three months. The Steinberg Pre-School has generously offered to purchase linens and household items. We will be receiving a grocery list of culturally appropriate food items to stock the pantry and we are still collecting gently used kitchen items. Thank you to all of our volunteers for welcoming the stranger!
Please reach out to any of us with questions: Margaret Cohn, Linda Kupfer, Suzie Lampert.
In the spring each year, NSSBE members gather to hear several speakers representing local nonprofit organizations speak about their organization and ways they can use our support. Then, our members go into the social hall to participate in one or more projects that they have pre-registered for and are hosted by a variety of local organizations. Each group is represented by a member who has organized a hands-on group project that others can participate in by signing up in advance. Sometimes shopping for various items is required prior to the event. Children are welcomed and encouraged to attend. This day highlights tikkun olam, one of our core values. When we all work together we can truly make a difference in the lives of our local neighbors in need.
The Ark
Blue Star Recycling
Chesed
EZRA
Gratitude Generation
The Glenwood School
Hadassah
HIAS
The Highwood Public Library
Linus Project
Mathildes Mentionables
Night Ministry
Moraine Township Food Pantry
Porch Community
Shalva
US Troops
Waukegan to College
Working Bikes
The Ark – various collections throughout the year
Moraine Township Food Pantry various collections throughout the year
Warm Clothing Drive – November/December
Toy Drive – December
Canned Goods Drive – throughout the year
Bike Drive – spring
Used Electronic Equipment Drive – spring
1175 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, IL 60035 | (847) 432-8900 | nssbe@nssbethel.org |
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