social action/Tikkun Olam
Temple Akiba brings light and goodness into the world.
Temple Akiba is deeply committed to supporting our community, at home and abroad. The congregation partners with several of the greatest organizations in the area to do its part in accomplishing creative projects that bring light to Temple Akiba, Culver City and beyond. From the Annual Mitzvah Day to Shoes for the Homeless and Jewish World Watch events, Temple Akiba does not stand idly by. Rather, Temple Akiba educates and activates its community to rise up and take responsibility for helping to care for others in need.
Our Tikkun Olam Committee coordinates our Temple’s social action and social justice efforts. We have been focused on Housing and Homelessness and work with the Religious Action Center (RAC-CA), the advocacy arm of the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ) to promote Jewish social work.
If you are interested in joining our Tikkun Olam Committee contact Sara Fields, Engagement Trustee, at engagementtrustee@templeakiba.net.
Sharlene London, our Social Action Trustee, has been spearheading our work with Jewish World Watch (JWW) which works to end mass atrocities around the world. We participate in the annual Walk to End Genocide; scroll down for more information, or contact Sharlene London at socialaction@templeakiba.net.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
SHABBAT SHIRA SERVICE WITH 3RD GRADE & REFUGEE SERVICE
Friday, February 7, 6:30pm - 8:30 pm at Temple Akiba, In Person & Online.
During services we will hear about welcoming refugees to the U.S. and who are engaging in the response to the global refugee crisis.
SORTING SHOES FOR THE HOMELESS
Sunday, February 9, from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm.
Temple Akiba is excited to join JFEDLA and Shoes for the Homeless, Inc. to sort and categorize shoe donations that will be distributed to our unhoused neighbors and those directly affected by the wildfires. This event hosted at Temple Akiba is co-sponsored byTemple Akiba Sisterhood, and Temple Akiba Men’s Group, and will take place on Please bring new or gently used shoes of all types and sizes to donate.
Please click here to register to volunteer for the February 9th event: https://47156-prd-bbis.jfusa.concourse.host/2025-02-09-community-service-day. Once you are at the website, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the February 9th event. There will be two other volunteer opportunities that you can also register for if you wish, but please note the February 9th Shoes for the Homeless, Inc. sorting is the only event taking place at Temple Akiba.
TU B’SHVAT IN THE PARK
Sunday, February 16, Activities from 10:00 am - 11:30 am, Song Session at 11:30 am (optional BYO picnic to follow).
Tu B'Shvat is the birthday of the trees. Temple Akiba's Green Team invites you to enjoy Tu B'Shvat with your community at Stoneview Nature Center. To celebrate, join us for engaging nature activities.
Sisterhood will present Jewish and Indigenous Peoples poetry readings relating to nature followed by a gentle Nature Walk around the Stoneview Nature Center. Please join us for a wonderful outdoor event. To RSVP: https://templeakiba.shulcloud.com/form/tu_bshevat_2025
THE 2025 GREATER LOS ANGELES HOMELESS COUNT, WEST L.A.
Thursday, February 20, 7:00 pm – 12:00 am
We invite you to join us, in partnership with B’nai David-Judea Congregation, IKAR and Repair the World, to participate in this year’s homeless count, an annual initiative of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). Volunteers are needed at our deployment site in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood. The Homeless Count is critical to helping the thousands of individuals experiencing homelessness across Los Angeles County by identifying the areas of greatest need and allowing for a more effective allocation of resources and services.
Pico-Robertson address provided in advance of the event
Light Kosher dinner will be available at 6:00 PM
Most counting is completed before 11:00 PM
Volunteers must be 18 or older.
To count in your own neighborhood, sign up directly with LAHSA: theycountwillyou.org
Mitzvah Day at Temple Akiba
Sunday, May 18; 8:30 am - 12:30 pm. Lunch will be served.
Hundreds of Temple Akiba members of all ages come together every year for Mitzvah Day to lend their talents, time and generosity to a wide range of good deeds that help those in our community and beyond. Some of the charitable giving opportunities include: making lunches for the homeless; beautifying the community with painted pots and planting flowers; knitting hats for children, among other activities. Registration details to follow.
Temple Akiba works closely with RAC and HIAS:
The Religious Action Center (RAC-CA), is the advocacy arm of the Union of Reform Judaism (URJ), For more information go to their website at: https://rac.org/take-action
HIAS provide vital services to refugees and asylum seekers around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives. For more information go to their website at: https://hias.org/
TIKKUN OLAM AT TEMPLE AKIBA
Are you looking for ways to help refugees? Here are 3 organizations the Temple Akiba Tikkun Olam Committee recommends you donate to.
Calvary Church in Chula Vista is collecting funds/items for Ukrainian refugees at the U. S./Mexico border. Donate at calvarysd.com.
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society works around the world to protect refugees who have been forced to flee their homelands because of who they are, including ethnic, religious, and sexual minorities. Donate at hias.org
The World Union for Progressive Judaism (WUPJ) has created the Ukraine Crisis Fund. WUPJ is the international organization of Reform Judaism. Your dollars will go to ensure the safety and security of individuals and communities.
donation Drives
Personal Care Items Drive - Thank you for your generous donations of personal care items and snack foods for SafeParkingLA, a nonprofit that provides a safe place for people living in their cars to spend the night. We delivered two carloads of items to them.
Food Drive for Grace Diner - Sunday, November 14 - 19, The need continues. Thank you for your generosity.
Temple Akiba was #2 for the Top Teams in 2020!
Click here to go to The Walk 2020 page.
Temple Akiba joined thousands of fellow Angelenos for “The Walk” in 2019 (photos above).
The Walk to End Genocide
What is the Walk to End Genocide? "The Walk" is the biggest fundraiser and information sharing opportunity of the year. An event by the Jewish World Watch (JWW), we walk alongside advocates of all ages and backgrounds in one united voice to say: “we will not stand idly by while genocide and mass atrocities occur.” The Walk helps to raise awareness of ongoing atrocities in Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Funds raised from the Walk allow JWW to continue its work to educate, advocate, and support projects in conflict-affected communities.
Mitzvah Day at Temple Akiba
Hundreds of Temple Akiba members of all ages come together every year for Mitzvah Day to lend their talents, time and generosity to a wide range of good deeds that help those in our community and beyond. Some of the charitable giving opportunities include: making lunches for the homeless; beautifying the community with painted pots and planting flowers; knitting hats for children with cancer; donating blood for the American Red Cross; singing at nearby senior centers; and cleaning the beach and parks.
#NeverAgain: Nationwide Vigils in Support of Refugees
Temple Akiba co-hosted the Los Angeles HIAS Vigil for SS St. Louis as part of the HIAS Welcome Campaign. We gathered at the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust to remember the refugees of the past and learn about the refugees of today. On behalf of Temple Akiba, our Vice President of Membership Elizabeth Zlotowitz shared about a woman who died during her attempted refuge on SS St. Louis and lit a candle in her honor.
Political Advocacy in Washington D.C.
Every year, Temple Akiba travels to Washington D.C. with its Confirmation class to meet with important law makers to discuss issues that matter to them most. Whether it’s raising a voice for justice in America or sharing their views on the situation in Israel, we offer our youth the opportunity to have a say and see first-hand the type of impact their opinions and actions can have in the world.
Humanitarian Trips Around the World
In Religious School, we teach the students a song called “Wherever You Go, There’s Always Someone Jewish.” Temple Akiba takes the song one step further by traveling to different regions to not only meet with and learn about being Jewish in different lands, but also brings aid when appropriate. Whether it’s planting a tree in Israel or bringing luggage filled with medicines, clothing and other essentials to Cuba, Temple Akiba is making its mark around the world.
