The Reichman family honors the memory of their beloved daughter Mandy with this weekly Mitzvah project. Bagged lunches of sandwiches, fruit and desserts are prepared on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. Each Wednesday, our truck visits a neighborhood in Elizabeth, where families have learned they can count on us for help.

 

Shoes for the Soul: A way to help needy and homeless children
"Shoes for the Soul" is a nonprofit organization which began in Florida in 2004. We at Temple Emanu-El have accepted the challenge to create a Tri-State area chapter to collect, sort, mail and distribute shoes to the needy children in our midst.  The Temple community will receive a postcard which will request a specific shoe type and size range before each collection. Collection bins are placed around the Temple.   Please bring SNEAKERS & BOOTS in men's and women's sizes 5 - 13 - Must Be New.

 

The ARK housing rehabilitation group is a joint venture with St. Marks Episcopal Church in Plainfield. Founded by members of both congregations almost 20 years ago, this interfaith, interracial group does minor repairs for low-income, mostly elderly homeowners, many of whom have been in danger of losing their homes. In addition, ARK's social events build a bridge of friendship between the two communities. ARK welcomes all volunteers and tries to match skills and availability with the needs of the active projects. 

 

This national volunteer organization provides love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans. Project Linus meets monthly in the Temple EmanuEl youth lounge to knit and crochet. Bring your works in progress as we mend the world, one blanket at a time.  Next meeting: May 21, 7:30pm.

 

Twice each year, during the December holiday season and again for two weeks in the summer Temple Emanu-El serves as a host home for several families from our area.   Our work with the Interfaith Housing the Homeless program includes providing comfortable accommodations (turning classrooms into bedrooms), meals, companionship, transportation and a variety of necessities and niceties donated by our members. 

 

Since 2000, Temple Emanu-El members have participated in this mentoring program for sixth grade students from the Plainfield public school system. To help these children succeed in their studies and in life, we offer tutoring, guidance, and encouragement as well as school supplies and snacks. 

 

Serving the needs of seniors and the community with monthly Friendship Group programming and luncheons. Through the Eldernet Helpline our volunteers provide transportation to appointments and shopping, social contacts and home visits.

 

One of our newest groups, Adamah’s volunteers work to increase awareness of environmental issues in Temple Emanu-El. 

 

Repairing the world often begins at home. Our volunteers serve Temple members in times of need with home delivered meals, challahs on Fridays, Shloshim calls, and companionship.

 

Ongoing food collection at Temple Emanu-El has been given new life with the new collection baskets throughout our facility. Each month, one family keeps an eye on the bins and delivers the items to local food pantries. We encourage members and visitors to bring a canned food item every time they come to our building.