One of the most meaningful aspects of Reform Judaism to many is the emphasis placed on social action. Our goal is to engage in projects (either one-time or long-term) that will enable us to help others in our community, both locally and globally. The social action committee, in addition to initiating projects, acts as a springboard to help congregants implement social action ideas about which they are passionate.

Beit Haverim has forged a special relationship with the Sunshine Pantry, a food pantry in Beaverton which is the only one in the area to provide Kosher food, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables, and nonperishable food items, to approximately 900 families per month. We volunteer our time there, donate food from our annual High Holidays food drive, and make occasional monetary donations throughout the year.

We believe strongly in teaching our children about the needs of others. We have focused on devising concrete projects that will provide our students with a sense of meaning and fulfillment. Some of the social action projects that the students of our religious school have participated in include:

· making fleece blankets for Project Linus (to be distributed to children who are hospitalized or living in shelters),

· making sandwiches for a homeless shelter,

· and making hygiene kits for Transitions Project, a shelter for homeless individuals.

Also, each year the students decide collectively where to donate the Tzedakah money they have contributed over the year.

We look forward to continuing to find various ways, that are meaningful to our congregants, to partake in tikkun olam in our community.

The Beit Haverim Tikkun Olam committee has launched a program to support foster children in our local area. Beit Haverim will host six drives over the course of the year to collect basic items for foster kids, including pajamas, shoes, clothes, school supplies, warm coats, and toys. Donated items will be distributed through a number of local foster charity organizations.

Oregon and Washington have over 20,000 children in foster care, with many suffering the effects of poverty, neglect and abuse. Often, children are delivered into the foster system with nothing but the clothes they are wearing. With our help, we can provide foster children with the little things that can make a big difference in their lives.

Click here for a transcript of the presentation given at the 2011 Passover Seder.

Take a look at the fabulous progress thus far: 
Clothing Drive: 41 articles of clothings!
Pajama Drive:  16 sets of pajamas!
School Supply Drive: Over 250 school supplies!

Oct, 2011: Foster Kids Coat Drive Underway

The cool weather is coming, and it's time to help our local foster children with a warm coat this winter. October 1st kicks off the Beit Haverim Coat Drive for Foster Kids. We will collect new coats for children of all sizes to be donated to foster care organizations in our local area. The need is highest for teenage boys, but any and all donated coats are needed and appreciated. In addition to coats, we will collect warm hats, gloves and scarves. Drop your donations in the specially marked bin in the lobby of the LOUCC by October 30th.

Thank you from the Tikkun Olam committee!

Thank you to the 22 amazing people who donated blood at the Oct. 1, Beit Haverim blood drive, saving up to 66 lives. Thank you also to the 7 people who tried to donate blood, but were unable to for various reasons.

Thanks to your continuous donations we were able to bring another 72 items to the Sunshine Pantry in March 2011. They are so appreciative of every donation we make, which helps make a difference to the hundreds of families served every month. Please try to remember to drop off a canned good or other nonperishable food item every time you come to Beit Haverim. There will also be a collection bin at the Beit Haverim Community Passover Seder.  To learn more about the Sunshine Pantry and other items currently in need please click here.

Thanks to all of you who brought in donations for our High Holiday Food Drive! We were able to drop off 58 bags full of food and other nonperishable items to the Sunshine Pantry! Needless to say they were thrilled to receive all of our donations. Many families will greatly benefit from your generosity.

 
Project HEART is making every effort to reach out to all the victims of the Holocaust and their heirs worldwide in order to notify them that this may be their one last chance to seek and achieve restitution for what is rightfully theirs. The confiscation, looting and forced sale of Jewish owned properties caused immeasurable damage to individuals and communities that continues to the present.

We at Project HEART believe that all eligible individuals should be given the opportunity to be a part of this restitution program and to have their voices heard. Thousands have joined our community on Facebook expressing their support of this important initiative to all Jewish people. With every person that joins, our collective voice demanding justice becomes stronger and louder.

By clicking hereto join the Project HEART community on Facebook, you too are contributing to that voice, and helping others learn how they can also be a part of this belated yet vital restitution process.

Thank you for your support and for joining our voice on Facebook.