In its commitment to tzedakah, mitzvah, and tikkun olam, the Kehillah is involved in a variety of social action endeavors.

 

~ Orange County Organizing Committee ~

This grass-roots committee, comprised of Orange County congregational, school, and other leaders, is working towards social justice in our local community. Currently, it is in the process of forming a community-wide organization that will empower people here to work collectively to make change for  the common good.  The project is affiliated with the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), a movement that has over 50 affiliates in the U.S. These organizations have been successful in instituting local change in such areas as the living wage, health care, education, transportation, and affordable housing and child care. Rabbi Jen Feldman and the Kehillah social action committee are actively participating in the local initiative and working with other leaders and community-members in Orange County.

 

~ Homestart ~

Homestart's mission is to provide a safe, structured home for homeless women and children, helping them access community resources and offering them on-going support to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness. Several times each year, Kehillah members collect items for the shelter, including bed linens, blankets, towels, umbrellas, and toiletries.
 

~ IFC & the Food Bank ~

Continuously during the year, Kehillah members bring food donations to the Kehillah to be taken in bulk to the food bank at the Inter-Faith Council for Social Services (IFC). On Yom Kippur, all families are asked to bring food donations, and several truck loads of donated food go to feed the hungry in our community. Also, monthly, Kehillah members sponsor (cook and serve) a lunch at the IFC Community kitchen.

 

~ Tzedakah ~

We are committed to tzedakah to help those in need. Before each UNC men's basketball home game, Kehillah members collect money for parking in the Kehillah lot.  All of the funds collected are donated to local organizations.

 

~ CROP (Community Reaching Out to People) Walk ~

Each year, we participates in the CROP Walk, which is an event that supports local and national hunger relief. We contribute financially, raise additional money from community-members, and participate in the almost 4 mile walk.

 

~ Community Dinner ~

Each year, we participate in the Community Dinner. This community-building event brings people from all walks of life together for an afternoon of ethnically-diverse food and entertainment. Kehillah members make large kugels for the event, and many attend the dinner.

 

~ Recycling ~

We are committed to recycling as a way to help take care of our environment. We recycle paper, cardboard, printer cartridges, yogurt cups, and plastic and glass bottles.

 

~ Religious School Mitzvah Day ~

See Religious School programs.

 

 

~ Kehillah Mitzvah Day ~

We periodically host a Kehillah Mitzvah Day to provide an opportunity for families to participate in various mitzvah projects, including cleaning a recycling center (Ba’al Tashchit—Do Not Destroy); cooking meals to be frozen and then delivered to those who are sick (Rofay Cholim—Healing the Sick); tying ribbons and collating a mailing for the Family Violence Prevention Center (Shmirat Ha’Guf—Caring for the Body); pulling weeds from the Kehillah gardens (Malachah--Industriousness); making cards and art work for those who are sick (Bikkur Cholim—Visiting the Sick); visiting an assisted living facility (Kibud Zekaynim—Respecting the Elderly); babysitting the children too young to participate (Chesed--Lovingkindness); and collating donations to a relief effort (Tzedakah—Righteousness).