Michelle Mitzvah Group:
The Michelle Mitzvah Group was established as a living memorial to honor one of the children in our temple community. Our mission is to provide physical, emotional, and educational assistance to those in need – helping those who have less. We also aim to teach the children of BHSS the true meaning of “mitzvah” and to encourage their active participation in volunteer efforts. We invite all congregants to get involved in the many projects and events planned now and throughout the year. There is something for everyone, and there are so many in need -our reward is in the form of giving.
Supporting Community Members who are Food Insecure
Literally, seven days a week, a Michelle Mitzvah volunteer is helping to provide food to those in need:
The Fresh Market in Montvale donates food daily except on Sunday to help those in need. Monday through Saturday, a Michelle Mitzvah volunteer picks up the food – several
boxes of fresh and processed food and drives it to one of three places:
The Center for Food Action in Mahwah, or CFA, helps feed tens of thousands of our Bergen County neighbors annually! Michelle Mitzvah typically delivers to CFA several times a week.
During the school year, students faced with food insecurity receive “Snack Packs” (care packages) for the weekend. This allows them to eat so they do not arrive at school Monday morning feeling malnourished. But what happens when school is not in session? To help alleviate this, please consider donating food to the Center for Food Action. You are always welcome to drop off the food at the synagogue in the baskets by both the Religious School entrance and the sanctuary entrance. Below is the list of items most requested:
Canned Hearty Soups Canned Vegetables Macaroni & Cheese Peanut Butter & Jelly Tomato Sauce Toothpaste, Toothbrush & Dental Floss Cold Cereal (low sugar) and Oatmeal Powdered Milk and/or Boxed Milk (e.g., Parmalat) Canned Fruits and Instant Potatoes
Christ Church of Ramapo Soup Kitchen
Volunteers prepare and serve food in the Church’s soup kitchen six days a week, But what happens when the kitchen is closed on Sundays? It’s not like those in need can take a day off… That’s when Michelle Mitzvah steps in. Under the supervision of Steve Simon, every Sunday, a volunteer prepares 25 meals and serves them in the Church’s parking lot.
Click on the image to find out more about Oasis!
Oasis: A Haven for Women and Children: Nearly one in four residents in the city of Paterson lives in poverty; many of them are women or children. Thanks to the efforts of Michelle Mitzvah and others, Oasis serves hot breakfast and lunch every weekday to community members.
You can also find large baskets inside the synagogue entrances that we try to keep filled year-round with food donations. Bar and bat mitzvah families ask their guests to bring bags of food to the synagogue on their very special day. We will continue collecting food on an ongoing basis, especially during the High Holidays. Today’s economy is not good… and the need is greater than ever.
Books for the New Library!
Lunches With Love Volunteers
Other Ways Michelle Mitzvah Helps
Oasis is designed to help women and children in all facets of life – from food, to clothing, to education, and Michelle Mitzvah is doing its part! In 2024, in addition to individual members volunteering with childcare, tutoring, providing clothing for employment, in 5784, Michelle Mitzvah volunteers:
- Participated in a one-day literacy program helping elementary and middle school children work on their reading and language skills during summer break;
- Donated hundreds of books to Oasis’ new library; and
- Donated $1,000 to send 160 kids to a YMCA Camp in Wykoff for a week.
Michelle Mitzvah Group Endowment in Memory of Jase Barrack at Ramapo College
An endowment was created in honor of a former BHSS member to provide a scholarship fund for Ramapo College students majoring in History or International Studies and minoring in Human Rights and Genocide Studies.
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In our broader social community, we pledge to seek out those in need of physical, emotional, or educational assistance and provide them with the help and encouragement necessary for them to fulfill their life potential. No dues are assessed to those who wish to join the Michelle Mitzvah Group. If you want to get involved or have any suggestions, please contact the office at [email protected]
The Michelle Mitzvah Group is a part of the Social Action program of Beth Haverim Shir Shalom.
For further information please contact the office at [email protected]
The Michelle Mitzvah Group is a part of the Social Action program of Beth Haverim Shir Shalom.