Mitzvah Day at Congregation Beth Israel

Congregation
Beth Israel in Scotch Plains will hold its first Mitvah Day on Sunday, May 4, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Sponsored by the synagogue’s Social Action Committee,
Mitzvah Day will attract participants of all ages to perform outreach projects
within the local community.

 “The Hebrew word
mitzvah literally means
‘commandment,’ but many people also translate it to mean ‘good deed,’” said
Laurie Woog, a Mitzvah Day organizer at Congregation
Beth Israel.  “We are obligated to perform
acts of kindness and generosity to help build a just and caring community.  A lot of other religious organizations
sponsor days of good deeds to spark volunteerism and we are hoping to do the
same.”

Approximately 25 activities will take place both at the
synagogue and local towns during Mitzvah Day. 
These service projects are designed to help care for the environment, feed
the hungry, provide items to those who are in need, strengthen
relationships with friends and neighbors, and bolster knowledge of Judaism and
its commandments. 

Activities slated to take place at
Congregation Beth Israel include: a car wash to benefit the food pantry
at Jewish Family Service (JFS) in Elizabeth; creating artwork to be donated to a nursing home; baking Challah for Shabbat observance; and
cleaning the synagogue grounds.

Outside service projects include: helping
Habitat for Humanity repair a home for a family in need;
assisting with the Plainfield Dairy Queen’s used bicycle collection for
children; an intergenerational talent show to entertain nursing home
residents at Norwood Terrace in Plainfield; collecting debris and recyclables
from Brookside Park in Scotch Plains; planting
on the grounds of the Scotch Plains Library in anticipation of the library’s
upcoming Civil War Exhibit; helping at the soup kitchen at St. Mary’s
Rectory in Plainfield;  working at Furniture Assist, a Kenilworth
warehouse  that donates furniture
for people in need; running in a 5K race to raise funds for charity;  painting a room
at the Family Promise day center in Elizabeth; and working in the garden
or food pantry at Jewish Family Service.

Several
Mitzvah Day projects at the synagogue are designed specifically for young
children and their families, including: sending cards to Israeli
soldiers and to Jewish U.S. Service members; packing toiletries to be distributed to the homeless through the service
organization, Bridges Outreach; and playing carnival games that raise money for
the JFS food pantry.  Children can also
participate in many of the outside activities.

“Mitzvah Day provides great learning
opportunities for our students,” said Elly Bauman, Education Director of
Congregation Beth Israel.  “For instance,
the children will be taught a lesson about Israel when they design cards for
Israeli soldiers.  And, of course, they
will also learn that they are never too young to help others.”

In advance of Mitzvah Day, the Social Action Committee
of Congregation Beth Israel is organizing several collections: new toiletries
to be donated to the homeless through Bridges Outreach; kosher food for the JFS
food pantry; and children’s bicycles in fair to good condition.
 For information about donating needed
items, contact Elly Bauman at school@cbisp.org.

Congregation Beth Israel is a
traditional yet egalitarian Conservative synagogue, serving Scotch Plains,
Fanwood, Westfield and surrounding towns.   It is located at 18 Shalom Way, Scotch Plains, New Jersey (at
the corner of Martine Avenue). For more information, contact the synagogue
office at (908) 889-1830 or at office@cbisp.org.