Social Action

The Social Action Community stands on three legs: Tzedakah (giving of resources), G'milut Chasadim (acts of loving kindness), and Shinui Kivun (changing the status quo). We are actively working on projects and invite you to participate.

Some of our recent projects were:

Our annual holiday food drive - congregants bring food during the High Holy Days and we donate the food to a local food bank.

Military Family Project - We supply needy families with various items that they would like for the holidays.

Haitian Relief - We are providing much-needed medical supplies, clothing, linens, etc., to those in need in Haiti.

Mitzvah Day project - Partnering with the Education Committee, this annual event provides congregants of all ages an opportunity to help people in need throughout Phoenix.
Mitzvah Day 2012 is just around the corner and we need you! Mitzvah, translated as a good deed, is a major tenet of Judaism. As Jews, this is not only a concept we try to instill in our kids but one by which we try to incorporate in our daily lives. Although most of us know the word mitzvah the action behind the word may be very different to all of us. Some may imagine themselves working in soup kitchens or providing maintenance to shelters which support the most needy in our community. Others may wish to service animal shelters or lend their hand in cleaning up the environment. Many may follow their passion to raise funds and awareness for chronic diseases. All just causes and all represented in the long list of opportunities that will be a part of Temple Solel’s Mitzvah Day. This day is not just an opportunity to perform a Mitzvah Project, but it is a day to allow our families of Temple Solel to live up to our mission “Temple Solel is to be a vibrant…community…grounded in relationships and deeds…and elevated by Shabbat and Torah”. Mark your calendar for this Temple Solel exclusive event. Sponsored by the Temple Solel Education Committee in conjunction with the Temple Solel Social Action Committee. A great opportunity for our community to feel good while doing good, taking part in repairing the world – Tikun Olam.

“It's a nice thing when you can bring so many Families together and do it all on one day.” Tami Miller

Do you have a favorite charity you would like to help on Mitzvah Day? Here is your chance! It’s as simple as 5 steps:

  • 1. Contact your favorite charity to find out if we can work with them.
  • 2. Print the Mitzvah Day Worksheet from the temple’s website at www.templesolel.org/forms.
  • 3. Complete the Worksheet.
  • 4. Promote your project to your friends, family, other congregants (we will help you staff your project).
  • 5. Lead your Mitzvah Project and have fun, while doing great work in the community.

If you have any questions please contact Robert Siamon at rsiamon@yahoo.com.

The Relay for Life Cancer Society fundraiser - the American Cancer Society's signature annual event, where Temple Solel's Pathfinder team raises funds and stays up all night walking to honor and remember loved ones with cancer.

St. Vincent de Paul - We have a monthly project at St. Vincent de Paul to serve breakfast to needy and hungry people. We are committed there for the first Tuesday morning of each month from 6:30-8:30AM. If you are interested in participating please contact Barry Leshowitz (barry.leshowitz@gmail.com).

Shoes that Fit Shoe Drive -Our upcoming project in the fall is the Shoes that Fit Shoe Drive. We will be collecting new athletic shoes for local Arizona children in need so they can participate in school and recreation activities with dignity and on an equal footing with their peers. For more information about Shoes that Fit, please contact Sharon Levine (brainyjane27@gmail.com)

VIP - The Valley Interfaith Project, commonly known as VIP, is an organization of religious groups working together to help Valley residents solve problems caused by inferior or limited education, lack of training for higher-paying jobs, proper health care, and immigration issues.

We thank all of our wonderful volunteers who have made our committee such a success and we look forward to continuing involvement with many more opportunities to make the world a better place.

If you would like to support our efforts please contact Natalie Eisenberg at nme426@cox.net or Eve Danoff at ekdanoff@aol.com.