TEMPLE AKIBA’S 19TH ANNUAL MITZVAH DAY
Sunday, April 26, 2026 from 8:30 AM-12:30 PM
“We invite you to help us bring more light and goodness into this world” — Rabbi Zachary Shapiro, Temple Akiba
Mitzvah Day is a joyful community-building day of service, in support of Temple Akiba’s dedication to Tikkun Olam. Join the nearly 300 participants who come together to lend our talents, time & generosity to make the world a better place. We support 20 non-profit organizations to directly help people facing hunger, lack of housing, isolation and illness. Additional projects focus on improving and beautifying our own campus and supporting the Akiba community. Whether you like crafts, cooking, advocacy, or connecting with others, there’s a project for you that enables our light to shine brighter together at home & beyond!
8:30 AM - Registration & Bagel Breakfast
9:00 AM - Service
9:30 AM - Projects
11:30 AM - Lunch
Register by April 7 to be guaranteed a Mitzvah Day T-Shirt. Participants are encouraged to use last year’s T-shirt. Color will be the same, Turquoise Blue.
$18 per individual or $36 per family donation reduces expenses. Breakfast & Lunch included.
Mitzvah Day Sponsors $180: Your name will be publicized at Mitzvah Day, in our bulletin, on our website and social media. April 17 deadline to be included on the Mitzvah Day Banner.
**If you would like to pay by check or ACH(E-Check), please make sure you are logged into your ShulCloud Account before filling out this form. If you need assistance with logging in to your ShulCloud Account please email admin@templeakiba.net.**
IN-HOUSE PROJECTS
1) Lunches for Those in Need
Make sandwiches, decorate bags and assemble lunches for people served by St. Joseph’s Center, Upward Bound House, Grace Diner, Safe Sleep, and (SPY) A Safe Place for Youth and more.
2) Social Hall Round Robin
You can participate in any/all activities.
A) Make Shabbat kits for Seniors at Jewish Family Service. Decorate & fill boxes with prayers, candles, juice and challah.
B) Challah for Hunger – Prepare and decorate challah to be sold; proceeds benefit Mazon
C) Draw pictures and write notes of gratitude and encouragement to our local first responder heroes at CC Police Dept and our own great security team at Temple Akiba
D) Interfaith Project with Culver City Presbyterian Church: Decorate a postcard & write 3 statements about what you are proud of about Judaism and ask 3 questions about Christianity. These will be used to have an interactive discussion between Rabbi Shapiro and Pastor Rosenau at a pizza party with both congregations on Sunday, May 3 at 12noon following Religious School
E) Assemble Activity Kits for children at Children's Hospital
3) Outdoor Art Collaborative
You can participate in any/all activities.
A) Decorate placemats for residents of Upward Bound House.
B) Decorate Book Bags for LA County Library Teen Program, fill with books and supplies.
C) Decorate “Treasure Boxes” for kids at Richstone Family Center.
4) Flower Pots for Cheer
Paint clay pots and plant flowers in them. Our creations will be given to residents of West Hollywood Community Housing Corp, an affordable housing project.
5) Kindness Rocks
Paint encouraging words or designs on rocks to give to Temple members or anyone else you know who needs comfort and support.
6) Hats for Good
(Ages 8 & up) Using circular frames, we will knit hats that will be distributed to those in need at PATH & SPY and for children at Santa Monica/UCLA Hospital. Hats started during class on March 17 can be completed on Mitzvah Day.
7) Scarves & Dog Toys
A) (Ages 8 & up) Make no-sew fleece scarves that will be given to people at PATH & SPY.
B) (Ages 10 & up) Make dog toys with tennis balls & t-shirts; to go to Operation Blankets of Love
8) Comfort Bears & Bunnies
(Ages 9 & up with sewing experience) Make and decorate small stuffed animals for donating to the Culver City Police Department. Officers give them to children in stressful situations.
9) Non-Certified CPR Training
(Ages 10 & up accompanied by adult) Learn how to save a loved one in this short course that covers basic CPR for all ages. 9:45-10:45 a.m. You can also sign up for another on-site project.
10) Donate Blood
Sign up at www.donatebloodcedars.org. Click Locate a Blood Drive, Enter Donor Group “Temple Akiba” or contact Toby Milavski at tobytt@gmail.com. You can donate blood and also sign up for an on-site Mitzvah Day project. Allow one hour for donation.
11) Care Kits for PATH, SPY & Westcoast Care
Decorate bags & assemble care kits for residents of PATH Westside Center & A Safe Place for Youth and for people living on the beach served by Westcoast Care. Please bring travel size toiletries.
12) Caring Community Project
Make phone calls to our isolated home bound members who would appreciate and love to hear from our Akiba community. A script and list will be provided to complete this Mitzvah!
13) Refresh Molly’s Garden - ECC Improvement Project
Molly’s Garden was created in 2018 in memory of Molly Comstock, an ECC student. Help us give new life to this lovely garden in the Keshet Yard.
14) Culver Closet (8th-12th Graders Only)
Our teens will sort all the donated clothes, shoes, beach supplies and prom attired to go to this CCUSD sponsored program for families in need.
15) Your Voice is Needed
Send messages to elected officials for critical bills or measures that Temple Akiba has endorsed. Volunteers will show you how using your cell phone. (Pre-written messages available)
16) Support Immigrant Families
Sort much needed household supplies for 30 immigrant families supported by Dispensa, who works with the WLA Rapid Response Network. These items are delivered monthly to these families.
17) Bone Marrow Registry -Livia Rosenzweig’s Bat Mitzvah Project
Help save a life by joining the National Marrow Donor Program. You could be a match for someone with a blood cancer or disorder. If you are under 35, in good health, and willing to be contacted if you match a patient, get swabbed during Mitzvah Day. You can get swabbed and sign up sign up for an on-site Mitzvah Day project.
18) Bone Marrow Registry Volunteer - Greet participants
Explain the swab process and answer basic questions, Guide participants through registration (paper or electronic), Assist with cheek swab kits and instructions, Manage supplies and keep the event area organized, Help with set-up and/or clean-up. No medical experience required Volunteers will be asked to participate in a 1-hour virtual training before Mitzvah Day. Contact Seth Rosenzweig at srrosey@gmail.com for more information.
OFF-SITE PROJECTS
19) Sing at Playa del Rey Care Center
Join our Cantor Lonee Frailich & Music Director Michael Rothbart to bring song and cheer to the elderly residents of this skilled nursing facility.
Help by Donating!
Even if you can’t be there in person, you can make a difference by donating supplies. Drop items in the Mitzvah Day donation Bin at the Temple in advance, or bring that day.
Travel Size Hygiene Items (new and sealed) brushes/combs, band aids, tissues, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, body wash, disposable razors, feminine wipes & feminine hygiene products
Household Cleaning Supplies for Dispensa which supports immigrant families: toilet paper, detergent, fabric softener/dryer sheets, dish soap, trash bags, wipes, bleach, laundry detergent, paper towels, all-purpose cleaner
Pet Supplies Dog & cat food, treats, toys, blankets, towels, stainless steel bowls, leashes, collars, harnesses, pet beds, carriers, crates and cat litter, wee wee pads, shampoos; to go to Operation Blankets of Love. Bring on Mitzvah Day.
New Socks to be donated to PATH & SPY
Children's Items New toys & Board books for children at Santa Monica/UCLA Hospital.
Culver Closet (CCUSD program)
Gently Worn Summer Clothing & Shoes
Beach & pool supplies
Formal Wear for Prom, especially dresses - BRING ON MITZVAH DAY
Check out some photos from Mitzvah Day 2025.
All in-house & off-site projects are appropriate for the entire family unless otherwise indicated.
Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
ECC Bike Yard Field Drop-Off Activity Center
No sign-up needed. Childcare and snacks provided while parents participate in Mitzvah Day or when children need a break from projects they’re doing with their families. Activities include riding bikes, playing with toys, etc. Supervised by ECC teachers.
Enjoy looking some Mitzvah Day memories
Thank you Michael Hudson, for these amazing photos of the 14th Annual Mitzvah Day.