Temple Akiba brings light and goodness into the world.
Temple Akiba is deeply committed to supporting our community. The congregation partners with several organizations in accomplishing creative projects that bring light to Temple Akiba, Los Angeles 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 focuses 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.
GET INVOLVED IN A SOCIAL ACTION SUBCOMMITTEE:
Are you concerned about current events? Join a subcommittee that resonates with you.:
ANTISEMITISM: Educational programs aimed at all levels in schools, interfaith groups, and other synagogues.
FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS: Voting registration, access to broadcast TV shows, and restrictions on libraries.
HOMELESSNESS: Helping our homeless community members.
IMMIGRATION: Two levels of concern: policy and practical.
Contact Anita Markowitz, Engagement Trustee, at engagementtrustee@templeakiba.net
Actions:
Our sub-committee supports donating food for immigrants afraid to leave their homes. We recommend donations to The Culver City YMCA at 4500 Sepulveda Blvd.
They are collecting the following items:
● Non-perishable food including canned goods, bread and cereals. (No refrigerated perishables like fresh vegetables and meat.)
● Hygiene items like soap, toothpaste, diapers, toothbrushes, etc.
● Cleaning items for the household.
● Pet food for dogs and cats.
The YMCA is open on weekdays from 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM & weekends 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM. You can drop the items off at the front desk inside.
You are not required to serve on the Tikkun Olam Committee to participate in a sub-committee.
MITZVAH DAY AT TEMPLE AKIBA
Each year, Temple Akiba members of all ages come together for Mitzvah Day to lend their talents, time and generosity to a wide range of good deeds helping 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. Many thanks to all our dedicated volunteers!
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.
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/
