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.

Below are highlights of the impact Temple Akiba is making on the world around us inclulding UPCOMING EVENTS.

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 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.