Social Action / Tikkun Olam
You shall open your hand wide to your brother,
to the poor, and to the needy of your land
Deuteronomy 15:11
The Har Shalom SATO Committee is dedicated to helping those in need within our greater community. Throughout the year, the SATO Committee provides opportunities for congregants to help others who are less fortunate. Our current programs and partnerships include:
- Jews United for Justice (JUFJ) lecture: Unusually Cruel: Prisons, Punishment, and the Real American Exceptionalism on Sunday, December 6th, from 1:00 - 2:30 PM. Register online here.
- Ongoing collection: new and nearly-new bras, new underwear, socks, and feminine hygiene products, for donation to I Support the Girls. Please put items in a labeled bag (SATO) and leave it in the vestibule.
- SATO’s Racial Justice Pillar is hosted a 4 week seminar, B’tzelem Elohim - In God’s Image, led by Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky of JCRC-GW (Jewish Community Relations Council-Greater DC). The bi-weekly seminar looks at topics of equity and justice through a lens of Jewish values, beginning with texts from Torah and commentaries on the creation narrative. All are welcome! Click HERE for more details about a tutoring opportinuty!
- Har Shalom participates in JSSA's MEALS ON WHEELS program which delivers Kosher meals to Montgomery County homebound senior citizens. Additional Har Shalom member volunteers are needed to round out our team. All COVID-19 precautions as recommended by the CDC and the State of Maryland are followed when delivering meals to recipients. JSSA provides gloves, hand sanitizer, and masks if you don't already have or need extras, to all drivers. For more information on Meals on Wheels, how it works, and the time involved, please contact Stew Remer at 301-233-1996 or by email.
Monthly Collection
Our “Item of the Month” program offers us a chance to help a wide variety of organizations. Each month, we will focus on a specific organization, provide information about the group, and collect items for which they have expressed a need. Collection receptacles will be located in the main lobby, Religious School and Sherman ECC sections of the building. Please share in Har Shalom’s commitment to helping others. We can make a difference.
| Month | Items to be Collected | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| September | Non-perishable food items, as part of the Yom Kippur Operation Isaiah food drive | Manna Food Center |
| October | New and gently used kitchen and bath towels of all sizes and new and gently used Judaica | Jewish Foundation For Group Homes |
| November | Non-perishable Thanksgiving food items | Manna Food Center |
| December | Gift cards for the Holidays for food – pharmacy – and clothing | Jewish Social Service Agency (JSSA) and A Wider Circle |
| January | Hats, scarves, and warm socks | Montgomery County Men's Shelter & JSSA |
| February | Convenience foods and kid friendly foods | Manna Food Center and JSSA Kosher Kitchen |
| March | Hametz (include macaroni groggers) / Non-perishable Kosher for Passover foods | Bikkur Cholim of Greater Washington |
| April | Toys for children of all ages | Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Violence |
| May | Cell phones – No longer needed or broken | Hearts and Homes for Youth / Stepping Stones Shelter |
| June | Household cleaning supplies & new and used household supplies | Hearts and Homes for Youth / Stepping Stones Shelter |
| July | School supplies | Montgomery County Child Welfare Services and Stepping Stones Shelter |
| August | School supplies | Montgomery County Child Welfare Services and Stepping Stones Shelter |
In the future, the SATO Committee hopes to be...:
Offering a grant to a Har Shalom high school student to enable him or her to develop and implement a social action program.
Increasing Project Linus meetings for blanket-making.
Adding a gift-wrapping evening.
Continuing to hold Mini-Mitzvah Days.
Continuing to assist Stepping Stones Shelter with meals and support.
If you have questions for the SATO Committee, please send an email to SATO@harshalom.org.
