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 sarafields044@gmail.com.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
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.
DONATION ITEMS FOR MITZVAH DAY
This year’s Mitzvah Day projects support 20 non-profit organizations to directly help people facing hunger, lack of housing, isolation and illness. Drop off these items in the Mitzvah Day donation bins at the Temple in advance, or bring that day.
Books & School Supplies for Teens
Travel Size Hygiene Items (new & sealed)
Household Cleaning Supplies
New toys & Board books for children
Pet Supplies
New Socks
SOVA DONATION BIN
The SOVA Community Food & Resource Program of Jewish Family Services, is dedicated to alleviating hunger and poverty in the community. They offer free, nutritious groceries to people experiencing food insecurity. "SOVA" translates to "eat and be satisfied" in Hebrew. You can help by contributing canned food simply by using the donation bin at the synagogue entry.
Political Advocacy in Washington D.C.
Every year, the 10th grade confirmation class travels to Washington D.C. to attend the Reform Movement's L'Taken seminar. The program introduces our teens to the lobbying process and some of the important social justice issues of our time. At the end of the weekend, all of the teens write a lobby speech to deliver to congress on a topic of their choice, enabling them to say and see first-hand the type of impact their opinions and actions can have in the world. This year, our students wrote speeches advocating for reproductive justice, economic justice, gun violence prevention, and Israel.
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/
