
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Tikkun Olam (repair the world) is an important part of what we do at COS-SJCC. Throughout the year there are many opportunities to volunteer your time to assist others in our community.
Social Action Committee
The Social Action Committee coordinates community service projects in which COS members can participate, as well as periodic one-time events. We are currently planning a community-wide Mitzvah Day on May 21, 2023 starting at 10 am. We will engage in many mitzvahs including an ELC walk-a-thon to raise money for March Fourth, an art project with residents of the WAE Center, a toiletry kit drive for Bridges, a book drive to benefit the JFK school in Newark, lunch packing for the homeless people served by SHIP, creating a garden at the shul, and knitting baby hats for Overlook Auxiliary.
For more information, contact Stacey Sacks.
Family Promise
COS-SJCC has proudly volunteered with Family Promise, a wonderful organization that supports families who are at risk for or are experiencing homelessness. They provide prevention, diversion, and shelter programs geared toward long-term independence. For many years, for two weeks in January and two weeks in July, our social hall became a temporary home for families needing safe shelter, meals, and friendship. Since the onset of the Covid pandemic Family Promise had to change the shelter model, but these families still need our support. We continue to participate by making monetary donations, donating grocery store gift cards, household supplies, seasonal needs and delivering home-cooked meals to the Family Promise guest families. We look forward to being involved in other Family Promise Union County activities and programs. For more information on how you can get involved, please contact Elaina Luboff at elainal1215@aol.com or leave a message at (908) 230-1507.
SJCC Cares
This congregant volunteer program was created to help other congregants as needed. For the most part, we provide rides for congregants who cannot drive. We also can shop or prepare a meal or simply keep in touch by telephone. To volunteer or to request help, contact the synagogue office.
In past years, we have:
- Collected, packaged and distributed food for the kosher food pantry at Congregation Oheb Shalom in South Orange
- Fed the homeless in coordination with the Interfaith Coalition for the Homeless
- Participated in CareLink (a Jewish Family Service of Metrowest project) by visiting members of COS-SJCC who are unable to shop for themselves and presenting them with an assortment of Passover products
In addition to your participation, we seek your ideas for future mitzvot in order to continue our service to the community.