"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give" – Winston Churchill
A mitzvah is a commandment from God to do a good deed to contribute to "Tikkum Olam" the repair of the world. Our heritage teaches that the world can be repaired by one person at a time, requiring each of us to take responsibility to help, to heal and to enhance the community in which we live. The DHJC Social Action Committee is a very active group trying to make a difference with our programs and the support we provide to those in our community. Our focus is on doing - leading activities to better our congregation and the communities around us.
We are always looking for new members with new ideas and energy to help. Maybe today's the day you say "now it's time -- sign me up to join the DHJC Social Action Committee." We usually meet the first Sunday of every month at 10:00 AM in the temple lobby. Here's a highlight of our programs.
Mitzvah Day
DHJC Social Action Committee sponsors Mitzvah Day in the Fall each year. It is a day when everyone – individuals, couples, seniors, children and families – can make a difference by doing something for the larger community. In the past we have visited local nursing homes to sing to the residents and pamper them with a "day of beauty", performed various tasks around the synagogue including planting flowers and prepared toiletry kits for local homeless families. We also focus on educating the children of our congregation about the importance of doing mitzvahs and provide them with hands on opportunities.
Bikur Cholim - Visiting the Sick
Our Bikur Cholim program is an extremely rewarding experience providing encouragement and comfort to those in hospitals, nursing homes or homebound. Bikur Cholim is a mitzvah of visiting the sick and it helps our members and their families who are undergoing an illness stay connected to the community and know they are cared about. Our volunteers make weekly visits and the benefits are received by both the person being visited as well as the visitor. Training is provided and visiting can be done in pairs.
Books for Israel Project
The "Books for Israel" project is an international grassroots effort to bring gently used good quality English books to school libraries in Israel. We collect paperback English language books for school aged children and ship them to schools in Israel. Over the years our very successful program has shipped thousands of books to our sister schools
Crocheted and Knitted lap and baby blankets for Huntington Hospital*
We collect crocheted and knitted lap blankets to provide warmth and comfort for babies and other patients at Huntington Hospital. Blankets should be soft, colorful and approximately 40" by 30" in size. Invite friends and relatives to contribute too!
Shabbat Experience to Atria
We bring the Shabbat Experience to the Atria Assisted Living Center on Beverly Road in Huntington each Friday afternoon from 3:00 - 4:00. We light candles, have grape juice and challah, say prayers, and chat with the residents interested in a Jewish experience. New volunteers are always welcome.
Wyandanch Outreach Center Collections*
DHJC has been a strong partner of the Gerald Ryan Outreach Center in Wyandanch for many years. The center provides food, clothing, education and employment opportunities for those in crisis working to end the cycle of poverty. The center is always in need of healthy food staples. Please consider buying a few extra non perishable items each time you do your food shopping.
Ongoing Collections*
Israel needs our support now. Please choose an organization, go to its website, and donate.
Thank you.
Social Action Committee
Dix Hills Jewish Center
American Jewish Committee - www.ajc.org
Friends of the Israel Defense Forces - www.fidf.org
Hadassah Hospital - www.hadassah-med.com
Jewish National Fund - www.JNF.org
Lone Soldier Center - www.razoo.com/story/Operation-Protective-Edge
Magen David Adom in Israel - www.mdais.com/Donations
United Jewish Appeal - www.ujafedny.org
For a list of more organizations and descriptions - DHJC Social Action Mitzvah Showcase - Featured Organizations
Working and Non-Working Cell Phones:
Phone cards are purchased with proceeds from the sale of recycled cell phones and then donated to soldiers. www.msawi.org
Adult's and Children's Eye Glasses:
Donate your old eyeglasses and have them reconditioned for those that cannot afford them. www.onesight.org
For information about our committee or any of our programs,
Send an email to [email protected]
* Collection bins are in the upstairs DHJC lobby.
Social Action Committee
