A Collection to Aid Israeli Soldiers
The BJBE Social Action / Social Justice committee and the BJBE Israel committee are partnering to support Chamal Ben Yehuda 86 in January. On a recent trip to Israel, BJBE congregant Doris Schyman connected with a woman named Pam Lazarus. Pam is originally from Chicago and her cousin Paul Zemel (z”l) was a member of BJBE. As part of the Ichud Shivat Zion community in Tel Aviv, Pam leads an effort called Chamal Ben Yehuda 86 to collect clothes and supplies for Israeli soldiers stationed in the north. During these colder months, they are in need of warm clothing.
Earlier in December, Pam posted on Facebook: "Tonight a soldier called me and said that it’s 3 degrees up north where his unit is situated and asked if we can give them warm clothing now. Chamal Ben Yehuda 86 has given supplies to his unit before and thanks to so many of you, we are able to give thermals, hats, gloves, neckwarmers, face masks and more to them tomorrow. Please continue donating and volunteering with us so we can continue to help our soldiers."
We have set a goal of collecting $1800 during the month of January. Please email Joel Newton for information on how to donate.
In addition to the funds we are raising, Susie Wexler is collecting batches of cards for the soldiers. You can drop off the cards to Susie in BJBE's office.
Update from Pam: "We are ordering another 200 softshell jackets for the troops up in Lebanon, Syria, and down in Gaza. I know this new order of 200 will disappear soon—every day, we get at least a dozen requests for more jackets and warm clothes. I am freezing in Tel Aviv so I know how cold they must be...and they don't have houses to go to at night."
Update: As of January 17th, we have collected nearly double our goal of $1800. Thank you to everyone who has generously contributed.
Avenues to Hope Initiative - December & January
Each month, the Moraine Township Food Pantry requests donations of specific, highly needed household or personal items unavailable through government programs like SNAP.
Congregation BJBE is the pantry's sole source of these items.
This month and next month, the Moraine Township Food Pantry is requesting toilet paper. The Food Pantry requests individually wrapped rolls or rolls in packs of four (4) or six (6) in order to provide toilet paper to a greater number of families.
Please drop your donations in the Avenues to Hope compartment of the Tzedakah Nook in the Village Center.
Thank you for making a meaningful contribution to our neighbors' well-being.
PADS
BJBE is the main source of groceries for the Mundelein Super 8 location. Please email Joel Newton if you wish to contribute groceries during January.
If you want to support this effort but don't have the time to shop and drop off the groceries, you can donate using this form. The funds will be used to purchase whatever groceries aren't coverd for the month. Please email Joel Newton if you donate via this method.
Bake Cookies for Project Nourish
This is a wonderful Tikkun Olam opportunity for congregants of all ages! Bake a batch of home-made cookies (no nuts or nut products, please) and bag by twos in Ziploc bags to be added to our lunches.
Please label your outer bag with:
- Project Nourish
- The date the cookies were baked
- The number of cookie bags inside
Deliver cookies to the office or put them in the far right freezer in the kitchen. We will include the cookies the next time we prepare lunches. Click here to choose the date you'd like to volunteer. For questions, please email Merrilee.
Recaps
Collecting Household goods for a Soon-to-arrive Refugee Family
Thank you to everyone who purchased items to furnish the home of a newly-arrived family. The goods have been collected and are en route to the new home! If you would like to participate in setting up the home, please contact Joel Newton.