Making people happier doesn’t take much. It can be as simple as a smile, a gentle touch, a nod to acknowledge them, or a quick call to say hello. But sometimes, it takes a little more. Sometimes, you need to put in extra effort to help someone feel better, safer, or truly connected to a greater community.
Every so often, we get a unique chance to make our community—and the world—a better place. Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ (yes, consider this a bit of a pitch) committed to bringing people together specifically to do this kind of work. We have an amazing Center for Volunteerism that strives to arrange meaningful projects and events that help our partner agencies and organizations fulfill their missions, while at the same time, allowing people in our community to contribute their time, their sweat and their effort. It is a truly beautiful combination.
On Sunday March 30, Federation is overseeing Community Mitzvah Day where 25 projects have been organized to accomplish this dual objective. We are partnering with Synagogues,* Jewish Family Services, Day Schools, and the Union Y, to make activity kits for children in need, document our past at the Newark Cemeteries, feed the hungry, empower women with hygiene kits, build connections and share joy with adults with disabilities, and benefit many local organizations.** We literally have an opportunity for every type of volunteer that is meaningful, impactful, and satisfying,
While mitzvah is often translated as “a good deed,” its true meaning in Hebrew is a commandment performed as a religious duty. Furthermore, mitzvot—the plural of mitzvah—are focused on conscious acts of empathy and kindness. This means we are commanded to take action. Thinking about doing good or wishing it into being isn’t enough.
We need to act.
Most spots have already been filled, and space is extremely limited. We anticipate that about 1,000 people will participate in Community Mitzvah Day on March 30, and I hope that you will be one of them. I assure you it will be good for your soul AND provide people in need with assurances of a brighter future.
Learn more about all of our Community Mitzvah Day volunteer opportunities and sign up here.
*Participating Partner Agencies and Synagogues:
Adath Shalom, Morris Plains
Anshe Chesed of Linden
Bnai Shalom of Sussex County, Franklin
Congregation Beth El, South Orange
Congregation Shaya Ahavat Torah, Parsippany
Golda Och Academy (Upper and Lower Schools), West Orange
Gottesman RTW Academy
Jewish Family Service of Central NJ, Elizabeth
Mt. Freedom Jewish Center, Randolph
Oheb Shalom Congregation, South Orange
Pine Brook Jewish Center, Montville
Temple Beth El Mekor Chaim, Cranford
Temple Beth O’r Beth Torah, Clark
Temple Beth Shalom, Livingston
Temple B’nai Abraham, Livingston
Temple B’nai Or, Morristown
Temple Emanu-El, Westfield
Temple Ner Tamid, Bloomfield
Temple Sha’arey Shalom, Springfield
Temple Sholom of West Essex, Cedar Grove
YM-YWHA of Union County
**Partnering Organizations:
Meals on Wheels MetroWest
Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
Family Promise
Human Needs Food Pantry
MEND Hunger Relief Network
Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter
Jewish Family Service Central
Jewish Family Service MetroWest
Jewish Vocational Services MetroWest
Temple Shalom Succasunna
Temple B’nai Abraham
Temple Beth Shalom
The Bobrow Kosher Food Pantry