One down and one to go! Over 200 volunteers from over 7 Jewish organizations volunteered at 10 sites on the first of two Chessed Days for 2017. Volunteers mulched, weeded, and fertilized at Urban Adamah, Redwood Regional Park, and the Berkeley Marin. They packed Welcome Home Kits for refugees and Care Packages for the homeless. They played Bing-O and drank Root Beer Floats with seniors. They cataloged graves at Home of Peace cemetery from the 1880's onward. They helped the Plant Exchange with its fundraising estate sale, called homebound neighbors from Alta Bates hospital, and made 17 blankets for children at Highland Hospital, knit bird nests for abandoned baby birds, decorated vases for AgeSong Senior Living, and decorated meal delivery bags for JFCS East Bay. Yasher Koach to all who volunteered and to the amazing group of organizers and project leaders!
People are encouraged to continue to sign up for our second EBTOCD 2017 June 25th when we will be working at the Alameda County Community Food Bank and painting rooms at a local homeless shelter. Volunteers can sign-up at http://ebtocd.weebly.com/volunteer-projects.html
Organizers and Project Leaders: Teri Bleckner, Shelley Zak, Hilla Abel, Jen Blumenfeld, Mary Breiner, Sarah Breiner, Tammy Garretson, Rachel Goldstone, Kathy Hollander, Tamara Leider, Sheryl Nureck, Tamar Shusteff, Helen Smiler, Juliet Stamperdahl, Maharat Victoria Sutton, Debbie Weinstein, Lynne Yellenberg.
Co-sponsored by Beth Jacob Congregation, Congregation Beth El, Congregation Beth Israel, Congregation Netivot Shalom, Temple Beth Abraham, Temple Sinai, JCC of the East Bay, Jewish Family and Community Services East Bay, Midrasha, Oakland Hebrew Day School, and Tehiyah Day School. Funded by a grant from The Jewish Federation of the East Bay. Pastries courtesy of Semifreddi’s.