My parents are fantastic people. They raised us by example, showing us that giving back was essential for the growth of your community and yourself. My mother was my Girl Scout leader, timer at swim team and first aid provider throughout our community. Pop was our greatest cheerleader at ALL sports, softball referee and Boy Scout volunteer. Being involved and not standing on the side lines was an essential part of our childhood. I volunteered at Einstein hospital as a candy-striper, was a volunteer EMT for Second Alarmers, Girl Scout Leader, PEP coordinator, and PTO President. “Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.” – Sherry Anderson
There are so many opportunities to help our community and to help others less fortunate than us. On Pesach we are freed from slavery. Being free, we have the ability to live as we wish. We have religious freedoms to pray as we please, where we please. We have the freedom to pursue our dreams. We are blessed to raise our families in a relatively safe and nurturing environment.
Unfortunately, Ukraine does not have these opportunities currently. They are at war. SOI has chosen to join the Shuls for Ukrainian Jewry Campaign - working in conjunction with communities around North America, the OU, RCA, and National Council of Young Israel - to raise funds in support of their long-term needs. We in the SOI community have set a goal to contribute $3600 - 100 kosher for Pesach boxes. Every cent raised by this campaign will be distributed directly to partners on the ground working to take care of Jewish refugees wherever they are now, and to help them get settled wherever they are going. This campaign ends Tuesday, April 12. See flyer below Donate Here
The JCC is collecting over the counter, new, un-opened medications and medical/first-aid supplies to send to Ukraine. These unexpired products can be dropped off at the JCC through Friday, April 1.
You also have the opportunity to help people in our community through the Ma’ot Chitim program. This program is based on the ancient traditional religious obligation which requires everyone who subscribes to the Jewish religion to help the poor. This tzedakah helps people less fortunate in our community. Donate Here
There have been many people who have served our community and volunteered their time, and in particular our shul, giving their whole heart and soul to the survival and betterment of Sons of Israel, especially your past presidents. As president, their entire lives and the lives of their spouses, were spent on shul issues – salaries, donations, leaking roofs, raccoons, State of the Union speeches, fundraising, maintenance, squabbles, advertising, outreach, purchasing, bills, rentals, storage, grants, High Holiday planning, rituals….I could go on forever. It was a thankless job, so now it is time to thank these individuals. Each week I will highlight a different past president so you can get to meet them briefly. I hope you will come out to honor them on our Jubilee GALA on May 23rd. Advertising and reservations will be available shortly.
Being involved is a great way to meet other people and share your expertise and knowledge with a group of fantastic people – SOI Volunteers. There are many opportunities to help:
