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.

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.

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.

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.

The Hesed Committee provides support and assistance for families in need within the Pressman community and beyond. Contact Susie Pretsky for more information.

The ECC invites families to participate in social action activities to build community and help others. Contact Gilda Nassir and Sara Onufer for more information.

Temple Beth’s Teen Council includes Tikkun Olam and Social Action activities among its programs. Contact Reut Sklar for more information.

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

Tikkun Olam is part of the Pressman Academy curriculum at all levels. Students in each grade, K-5, select a nonprofit to support during the year, such as SOVA, Tomchei Shabbos, or Friends of the IDF. Students in the middle school pass out gift cards, water, and cookies to the local homeless population multiple times each year, and make and serve food to the homeless for Sukkot, Purim, and Thanksgiving. Middle school students also volunteer with a number of nonprofits, such as PATH and the Friendship Circle, as part of the Got Mitzvah program.

Temple Beth Am and Pressman Academy each organize a number of interfaith programs over the course of the year, for the TBA membership or for Pressman students. Events in recent years have included hosting Iftar meals in partnership with the Pacifica Institute and community projects with the Tiyya Foundation, sponsored in part by a grant from Islamic Relief USA. The Islah Academy-Pressman Partnership gives Muslim and Jewish students an opportunity to meet and learn from each other multiple times over the course of the school year.

• Pressman families: donate when you pick up school materials. Watch for more info.
• TBA members who visit the ark during the High Holidays can donate as they enter
• Members with one or more bags to donate can contact TBA member Denise Berger to arrange for the donation to be picked up from your home.

Most years, more unaccompanied refugee children come to California than any other state and more than half of those end up within the Los Angeles area. Esperanza helps these children (and their sponsoring families) with legal advice and assistance to become residents of the United States, and with emergency assistance. TBA is partnering with TEBH to contribute school supplies, diapers and other needed items. Make your purchases through these Amazon and Target online registries to help these young asylum seekers.