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WAYS YOU CAN HELP OUT IN THE COMMUNITY

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Messages from Our Clergy Two Minutes of Torah March 16, 2020
Dear Friends,
At this time of great uncertainty, we call on Jewish wisdom to guide our thoughts and actions. Our tradition teaches kol Yisrael areivim ze bezeh– that all Jews are responsible for one another. Being a part of a community means that we have an obligation to care for our community, and that our community is obligated to care for us.
Here at Temple, we want to support you in living out our Jewish values. Here is our initial list of ways you can help others in our community. Please join us in giving the gift of our time, energy and resources, and in communicating other ways we can help each other at this fraught time.
If you are able, act directly. Donate blood. Give someone a ride to a doctor visit or the grocery store. Or connect with those in need through Temple. Just complete this form and we will work to connect you.
Even for those who should not leave their homes, there are ways to help:
  • Reach out heart-to-heart to loved ones and friends.
  • Check in with a neighbor who might be lonely and scared.
  • Donate online to an organization caring for people in need.

If you yourself need help, please let us know. Our rabbis, staff, and many volunteers are here for you. Call us at (206) 323-8486 or fill out this form and we will be in touch.

We also know that it is a challenging time for small businesses. If you have a business that could use some support and patronage from your Temple community, please let us know so we can publicize it.

In addition to what we suggested above, experts say some of the best things we can do right now are staying in touch from afar, keeping up to date on local news, and ensuring we have adequate food to feed yourself and your family should you need to quarantine.

Pirke Avot famously teaches “If I am not for myself, who will be for me. If I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” Please take care of yourselves. Please reach out to others in need. And let’s rise to meet these needs in the dramatic moment we now all face.

B’shalom,
Rabbi Daniel Weiner
Rabbi Avi Fine
REQUEST SUPPORT OR OFFER SUPPORT
Need Support?
If you are in need of support – whether you need help getting food to your house, paying for groceries, picking up medicine or essential items or are in need of more social connections, please fill out this form so that our community can support you.
Offer Support
If you are willing to offer support to people in our community – either financially, through delivering food/medicine/items to people or by giving of your time to speak with others, please fill out this form.

PLACES IN NEED OF DONATIONS

Washington’s statewide hunger relief agency
Covid 19 Response fund from the Seattle Foundation
Donate Blood
The need for blood donations is urgent and in danger of collapse. Visit Bloodworks Northwest for further details on how and where you can donate blood.
Salvation Army
The local shelter where we cook a monthly meal
Jewish Family Service
Jewish Family Service is in need of the following items to keep their food bank open: household cleaning products, ready to eat meals (microwave/add hot water), snacks, pasta and rice, and hygiene/toiletry items
They are currently practicing social distancing by pre-bagging groceries to limit interactions. If you’re interested in scheduling a drop-off or have questions, please reach out to Andy Glaser at aglaser@jfsseattle.org.
Farestart
Farestart is our partner in providing meals to JRM students. Last week they provided almost 21,000 meals, which is 2,00 more than usual weekly volume. www.farestart.org/donate
POLITICAL ACTIONS
Census 2020!
You should have received a census form in the mail. Please complete it- either online or in a paper copy. Encourage all of your friends and family to complete it as well. It is vital that everyone is counted; huge amount of money and our political representation are at stake. For more information, click here.
Call on Congress to support the vulnerable during this pandemic
The Religious Action Center of the Reform movement is asking Congress to support all people and particular those who are vulnerable at this time. Please take a look at what they are asking from Congress and contact your representatives.

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