Friday, November 18, 2016

Annual Mitzvah Day



SCARSDALE SYNAGOGUE’S CONGREGANTS
TO COOK FOR THOSE IN NEED WITH
RESTAURANT 808 SOCIAL’S EXECUTIVE CHEF, SALVATORE CUCULLO
ON ANNUAL MITZVAH DAY
SCARSDALE, NY – Members of Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El will put on aprons alongside the recently opened 808 Social’s Executive Chef Salvatore Cucullo, Jr. and cook for those in need on Sunday, November 20, 2016, at the Reform Jewish congregation’s annual “Mitzvah Day.”  The food will be going to Grace Church.

Each year Scarsdale Synagogue sets aside a special community-wide “Mitzvah Day” for a variety of social action activities. A mitzvah is a deed of loving kindness.  The public is invited to attend. Burners will be lit and pots stirred from 9:00 to 11:00 AM.

Cooking is but one highlight of Mitzvah Day. Other activities will range from other hand’s-on community service projects, to learning opportunities with the Synagogue’s clergy and “fun”-raising activities such as Karaoke for a Cause.

“Mitzvah Day is a wonderful tradition here at Scarsdale Synagogue,” said Rabbi Jeffrey C. Brown, “setting aside one day a year for our congregation and the wider community to do good deeds together, supplementing what people already do on their own throughout the year. We expect a large turnout and welcome our friends and neighbors to join us, regardless of their faith and affiliations.”

A full list of Mitzvah Day activities and the Mitzvah Day schedule can be found at bit.ly/mitzvahday-2016.

HOW TO HELP

The Synagogue will be collecting much needed and useful items to donate to worthy organizations in the greater Westchester and North Bronx communities, including:
      Children’s Clothing (ages 14 and below) for the Sharing Shelf – long sleeve shirts, sweatshirts, jeans, khakis, sweatpants, long sleeve dresses (4T – youth size 10 only), fleece jackets, winter coats, hats & gloves, sturdy shoes (merrills, sneakers, snowboots, & uggs), NEW socks, NEW underwear

      Children’s Books - Gently used books (for ages 5 and below).

      Diapers and Wipes for Westchester Diaper Bank

      Holiday Drive to benefit My Sister’s Place (continuing through mid-December) -  toys for all ages, scarves, hats and gloves for all ages through adult and jewelry or other modest items for the adults (both men and women)

      Lightly Used College Dorm Supplies for Grad Bag – New or gently used:  XL twin sheet sets, blankets, comforters, duvets, desk lamps, small rugs, plastic hangers, extension cords, window fans, bed lifts, over door hooks, laundry bags/hampers, alarm clocks, storage lockers, book ends, bulletin boards, surge protectors, small suitcases

      Food for the United Interfaith Food Bank – rice, pasta, soup, mac & cheese, pasta sauce, canned beans and canned fruit, canned meat or stew
      Pet Supply Drive for the New Rochelle Animal Shelter – dog and cat food, leashes, cages, bedding, dog treats, cat treats, stuffed animals

      Crafts & Games benefitting CHAM

      Items for US Soldiers benefiting MSAWI –chapsticks, travel sized baby wipes, travel sized gold bond baby powder, gum, protein bars, old, non-working cell-phones

Events begin at 9:00 AM unless otherwise noted, and are as follows:

      Cooking for the Hungry with 808 Social Executive Chef Salvatore Cucullo, Jr.

      9:30 a.m. - Sunday Social Action Salon with Rabbi Brown – an informal reflection on the pressing plight of poverty today.  As the basis for discussion, we will be looking at several Jewish texts and clips from the award-winning documentary Living on One dollar.

      9:30 a.m. - Yoga and Reflection (minimum donation of $18 (or more) suggested)

      PJ Library Corner - Intergenerational book corner where adults can read social action themed books to children of all ages
      UnSelfies for #GivingTuesday - What will you do to help others during this holiday season? After Black Friday and Cyber Monday, comes Giving Tuesday on November 29.  Take an "Unselfie" describing what you commit to do or give on #GivingTuesday and post it on Facebook

      Soup in a Jar in partnership with the Bronx Jewish Community Council - We will gather and package dry soup ingredients for donation to Jewish senior citizens living in the Bronx

      Karaoke for a Cause - Support The Trevor Project (to support suicide prevention within the LGTBQ community). Make a donation if you want to sing or to get someone else to sing or to stop someone else from singing!

      A Living Page of Talmud - Join us as we explore -- in real time -- Biblical and Rabbinic texts with YOUR modern commentary and perspectives on pressing social issues to “repair the world” (Tikkun Olam)

      Prepare Holiday cards for families who have lost loved ones to gun violence and for Schaffer Extended Care Center, a comprehensive facility offering short-term rehabilitation and long-term care for medically frail seniors

      Trip of a Lifetime - Share your memories of a memorable trip for posting on the Trip of a Lifetime website, an organization that helps to fund life-changing travel opportunities for underprivileged youths
About Scarsdale Synagogue
Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El is a Reform Jewish congregation committed to creating a covenant community of shared lives and real relationships.  We are an inclusive, caring and visionary community.  As we journey together Jewishly, we strengthen ourselves and our sacred community.  www.sstte.org
For further information, please contact:
Roberta Aronovitch, Executive Director
Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El
2 Ogden Road, Scarsdale, NY  10583
Tel: (914) 725-5175
Email: roberta@sstte.org

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