Tikkun Olam: Repair the World

There are many ways to fulfill our responsibility to "repair the world." Many members contribute as individuals to community efforts, whether through volunteering time and energy, or making financial contributions; and some contribute to communal Kol Hadash efforts as well. Some ways are listed here; we encourage members to make suggestions and organize tikkun projects that are particularly meaningful to them.

 

Children's Sabbaths: Homeless Kids in the East Bay

SInce 2009, member Helene Lecar has spearheaded our "Children's Sabbath" project. Our first such shabbat service was led by Naomi Hatkin and family, with a commentary given by Carson Perez, representing the Children's Defense Fund. Over $300 was collected from those in attendance to present gift certificates to the Berkeley Unified School District for the 500 homeless school children in Berkeley. This program is now an ongoing effort of Tikkun Olam by Kol Hadash members; in fall of 2011, $500 was collected and donated through BUSD to our neighbors in need. You may mail a check, payable to Kol Hadash, to our P.O. Box 2777, Berkeley, 94702. Please consider a contribution and mark your check "Children's Sabbath."

Darfur

Kol Hadash participated in several demonstrations during 2006 in San Francisco on behalf of the people of Darfur. We believe it is important to keep the issue alive so that our government representatives can continue pressuring the Government of Sudan, and China—whose importation of Sudanese oil helps to support the status quo in Sudan. It is important that Jewish people stand up against genocide, wherever it may occur. Contact person for Darfur events is Joyce Lewbin. For questions, you can email Joyce.

Tzedaka

Kol Hadash encourages all attendees of our monthly shabbats to bring nonperishable items for collection and donation to the Alameda County Food Bank.

GreenMinyan

GreenMinyan is an ecology-focused Kol Hadash group which met for the first time in November 2007. The group was conceived as an "ecological conscience" for the congregation, a place for ideas and action. How we can be more ecologically responsible as individual households and as a community? What educational opportunities are out there for us, and how can we pass that on to our congregation? What hands-on ecology work (for example, weeding in a park or working to help recycle materials) or activism should we become involved with to make positive changes in our world? Attendees will be brainstorming what they are interested in doing. If you are interested in joining us, call or email Alana.