Wilshire Crest Elementary, 5241 W Olympic Blvd
Social Action
ואהבת לו כמוך כי גרים הייתם בארץ מצרים
"You shall love the stranger as yourself for you were strangers in the land of Egypt" - Leviticus 19:34
TBA has a number of committees working toward Tikkun Olam & Social Justice. Choose a cause that is meaningful to you and join us!
Click on each tab to learn more.
- Jewish World Watch
- One-LA
- Refugee Taskforce
- The Giving Spirit & Operation PB&J
- Pressman Academy Hesed Committee
- ECC Social Action Committee
- Teen Council Tikkun Olam
- Habitat for Humanity
- ImagineLA
- Reading Partners
Jewish World Watch
Temple Beth Am is a member synagogue of Jewish World Watch, working to end genocide and mass atrocities worldwide by educating and mobilizing individuals, advocating for policy changes, and funding projects to support and build resilience in conflict-affected communities. Contact Dianne Shershow for more information.
One-LA
Temple Beth Am is a member organization of One-LA, a network of religious and non-profits across LA County committed to building relational power and exercising that power to strengthen our communities and bring about a more just society. Contact Nancy Goldstone or Paula Pearlman for more information.
Refugee Taskforce
Temple Beth Am is a member of the HIAS Welcome Campaign to educate the public about refugees, advocate with elected officials, and take direct action to support refugees settling in Southern California, in partnership with other synagogues and nonprofits. Opportunities to advocate, educate, or act on refugee issues available HERE. Contact Tyson Roberts for more information about the Taskforce.
The Giving Spirit & Operation PB&J
Temple Beth Am assembles and distributes survival kits to the homeless during the Winter Holidays (with The Giving Spirit) and at Purim (Operation PB&J). Contact: Dianne Shershow for more information.
Pressman Academy Hesed Committee
The Hesed Committee provides support and assistance for families in need within the Pressman community and beyond. Contact Susie Pretsky for more information.
ECC Social Action Committee
The ECC invites families to participate in social action activities to build community and help others. Contact Dorit Shub for more information.
Teen Council Tikkun Olam
Temple Beth’s Teen Council includes Tikkun Olam and Social Action activities among its programs. Contact Reut Sklar for more information.
Habitat for Humanity
Temple Beth Am is part of the Habitat Jewish Coalition, working to help local families in need of housing. Contact Dianne Shershow for more information.
ImagineLA
Become a mentor! Imagine LA is a non-profit Family Empowerment and Mentorship Program that provides mentors to families who have exited homelessness, and are on their journey to self-sufficiency. Contact Lia Mandelbaum for more information.
Reading Partners
Volunteer - You can make a lifelong impact on a child struggling with reading
OUR SCHOOL SITE IN LOS ANGELES
Reading Partners currently serves 100 students in Los Angeles. We transform an empty space of our partner schools into a functioning reading center, providing a positive learning space for students and their volunteer reading partners.
Carthay Center Elementary - 6351 W. Olympic Boulevard
Saturn Street Elementary - 5360 Saturn Street
Wilshire Crest Elementary - 5241 W. Olympic Boulevard
THE VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Our volunteers provide one-on-one reading support each week for one hour, on a set schedule. All reading centers come equipped with the materials and on-site support volunteers need to provide quality tutoring.
Each session follows our step-by-step curriculum. Here’s how most sessions go:
1. Prep (sign-in, review materials, talk to site coordinator, etc.)
2. Tutor read aloud
3. Review reading skills and/or introduce new reading skill
4. Student read aloud
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please visit our website at readingpartners.org or email us at chloe.oliveras@readingpartners.org
Social Action Calendar
September
November
Donation Drives
- Ongoing: Food for SOVA
- September 2018: Kitchen Supplies for Pico Union
- October 2018: Diapers & School Supplies
- November 2018: Gifts for Locally Settled Families
- December 2018: Clothing Drive for MLK Day
- February 2019: Baby2Baby
- March- April 2019: Tiyya & Save the Syrian Children
Ongoing: Food for SOVA
September 2018: Kitchen Supplies for Pico Union
Support the High Holiday Community Drive for the Pico Union Project’s The Healthy Kitchen initiative.
Eating right is about more than the food itself. Equally important are the tools needed to prepare and enjoy that food. This in mind, PUP is helping their PicoUnion neighbors outfit their kitchens properly, so that preparing and enjoying nutritious meals becomes second nature.
Please bring the following items during September and deposit them in the seasonal donation drive bins in the downstairs TBA lobby:
Cookbooks focused on healthy eating (Spanish & English)
Books on food and nutrition (Spanish & English)
Pots/Pans/Cookware
Food processors/blenders/juicers
Cooking utensils (spatulas, colanders, tongs, large spoons, etc.)
Large bowls, Pyrex dishes, etc.
Dinnerware sets: plates, bowls, cups, etc.
Knives/forks/spoons (sets)
Herbs & spices
October 2018: Diapers & School Supplies
November 2018: Gifts for Locally Settled Families
Buy a gift for former refugee families settled in Los Angeles or San Diego! Miry's List describes a variety of local refugee families who are in need of specific items. Take a look and see if there are any items you would like to shop for to help refugees in the Southern California area. https://miryslist.org/lists Because of high rent costs in Los Angeles, many more former refugee families are settled in San Diego rather than in the LA area. Help these families celebrate the holidays by sending gift cards, for delivery before December 9, to the address below. You can make a note that you'd like the card(s) to go to a refugee family. Jewish Family Service of San Diego ATTN: Embrace-a-Family 8804 Balboa Ave. San Diego, CA 92123