Social Justice and Action

TBS Social Justice Mission Statement

Using the gifts, talents and resources God has given us, we will make a difference in our local and global communities by performing mitzvot and other acts of Tikkun Olam. We will connect to each other and our community by integrating social action in all areas of our congregation. We will serve as role models and inspire others in our community to become involved in the pursuit of justice and Tikkun Olam.

Latest action: Moms and Babies Holiday Gift Drive for Casa Teresa

Please help us fill backpacks for the students who receive services from the Friendly Center and Orangewood Foundation. The Social Action Committee will purchase the backpacks.  We ask our TBS families to help us fill them with the tools these students need to succeed and thrive.  See flier for what to purchase.  All items should be dropped off on the Social Action Table in the TBS Living Room no later than July 21, 2023.  Questions? Contact Bonnie Robinson

Giving Tree

The Social Justice Committee and Sisterhood wish to extend a huge THANK YOU to all the TBS congregants who contributed to the Giving Tree project this year. Because of your generosity, sixty-four needy students at Willard Intermediate School in Santa Ana, received a big bag of school related gifts, such as backpacks and other school supplies, personal gift requests such as legos, blankets, a little candy and much more!

Gratitude is also extended to our holiday helpers; Brenda Beck, Stephanie Belasco and Denise Silberman for the final package preparation, Marc Petrie for delivering all the gift bags, and Susan and Steve Friedman for sharing the gift distribution with the students.

Sincerely,

Cindy Grossberg and Angela Holmes
Giving Tree Project Coordinators


Volunteers in the Giving Tree Project that supported Willard Middle School in Santa Ana

Education

Educational activities are in the process of organizing speakers, classes and other resources for all members of the congregation. As plans are confirmed, they will be posted on the website.

Activities in process are;

· Pre-School – planning will begin in January, but reading books has begun!
· Starting in January, Religious School will begin activities with Skyview Elementary School. This is a public school run by the Orange County Department of Education for homeless students K-6.
· Brotherhood is continuing their reading program by reading books with a homeless theme.
· Sisterhood is partnering with the Social Justice committee with collection activities.
· Chai Time Seniors will be participating is activities throughout the year.

Direct Service

After months of research coordinated by Susan Silberman, the Social Justice committee has selected Cherry Orchard, a facility of Grandma’s House of Hope in Anaheim as the direct service project for 2020. This subsidized housing property provides apartment living for 22 families, men and women. Over 200 people live at this property with 65 being children. A project manager, Linda Turner, facilitates the activities.

The primary request is to provide a 3rd Thursday of the month family meal. The current plan is to request our major Temple groups to select a month to provide food for about 40 people. A member of the Social Justice committee will be contacting each group very soon. Guidance will be provided in planning and delivering the meals. Any congregational member can participate by joining a group for a designated month or by making a monetary donation. Donation can

be dropped off in the office or given directly to Cindy Grossberg, Rhea Dorn, Michelle Singleton or Angela Holmes.

Additional Support Needed

The following are other needs at Cherry Orchard;

· Math tutors
· All subjects for children K to HS
· Test prep skills
· Big Brothers
· Saturday Teen Program (in development)
· Art materials
· Reading books
· Test prep materials for college
After School Homework is from 3:00 to 5:00, Monday to Friday.

If you are interested in supporting any of these activities, please contact Angela Holmes at 714-396-7613 or holmesangie@yahoo.com

TBS volunteers participated in the Thanksgiving dinner at Cherry Orchard, one of the facilities of Grandmas House of Hope.  Our volunteers provided pies, rolls,  decorations and clean up ‘power’s on Novemer 21st. Thank you everyone who contributed and participated! see more photos

 

TBS’ Social Justice Project – Addressing Homelessness

Join with community agencies to involve our congregation in multigenerational direct services activities to improve the conditions of those experiencing homelessness in our local community.

Get Involved
TBS members of all ages will have the opportunity to engage in our Social Justice projects through direct service projects with local agencies; advocacy through developing relationships with local government officials to discuss how our local cities are addressing the concerns of homelessness; congregational events including drives to support projects throughout Orange County as well as education opportunities to learn more about homelessness and how together we can create change.

Advocacy
California is working on state-wide strategies for ending Chronic Homelessness. Legislation and funding that supports finding and developing housing is CRITICAL to fighting a good fight and LEVERAGING funding from the state/federal/private/public sources.
Some examples of this is AB-2162, SB744, SB-450.  There are multiple programs/initiatives available – No Place Like Home and Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program.

To find out more and lend your support, call your State Reps/Senators and Local officials, follow this link: Homeless and Housing Strategies for California.
Click here to find your local State Representative and Senator

Want to know more about efforts to slow homelessness in OC – check out the Commission to End Homelessness at their next meeting, November 20.

Books

Children:
Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen by Dyanne Disalvo Ryan

An age-appropriate introduction to two key issues of out time; huner and homelessness, from a kids point of view. Based on an the actual volunteer experience of the author. This empathy building book is good for sharing at home and in the classroom.

Youth/Teen:
No Place by Todd Strasser

When Dan and his family go from middle class to homelessness. Issues of injustice rise to the forefront in this timely novel. Dan is a baseball star who is part of the popular crowd and dates the hottest girl in school. Then his family loses their home and they are forced to move into the town’s tent city. Hs friends try to pretend everything is cool.

Adults:
Invisible Children: Reimagining International Development at the Grassroots by Maya Ajmera and Greg Fields

The authors provide a new perspective on the global agenda for children base on a new global web of relationships stemming from the community level. This books reimagines how society can support the world’s most vulnerable children.

Past Books

Children: Ages 4-8
Still a Family by Brenda Reeves Sturgis

A little girl and her family lose their home and must live in a shelter. Even worse, her father is separated from her and her mother. Despite these circumstances, they still find ways to be a family.

Youth/Adolescent: Age Range 10-14
Guitar Boy by MJ Auch

Travis Tracey’s mother is in the hospital suffering from a brain tumor and his father has kicked him out of the house. Homeless, penniless and only 14 years old, Travis Travis tries to make money by singing and playing his guitar. Through Travis’s love of music, his devotion to his family, and the kindness of strangers, he begins to find his way in the world. But in Guitar Boy by MJ Auch, how will he keep his family together?

Adult
Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City by Matthew Dessmon

A Publitzer Prize winner by Princeton sociologist Matthew Dessmon. The author followed 8 families in Milwaukee as they struggles to keep a roof over their heads. Evicted transforms our understanding of poverty and economic exploitation while providing fresh ideas for solving the devastating problems of homelessness.

Preschool to lower grade 3: Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting
A homeless boy who lives in an airport with his father, moves from terminal to terminal trying not to be noticed. He is given hope when a trapped bird finds its freedom. In this timely and touching work, Bunting and Himler present a naturalistic look at the plight of the homeless–their tale of a boy and his father living in a busy airport is all the more disturbing for its lack of a pat resolution.

Parent/Adult Resources: Rachel and Her Children: Homeless Families in America by Jonathan Kozol
This book is based on the months the author lived among homeless families. This is a book that resonates even louder in today’s society with an ever growing homelessness population.

Current Events and Interesting Links:

Holzmann: No Fixed Abode – Hospice Care for the Homeless
California is For Everyone – California YIMBY

America’s Largest Health Insurer Is Giving Apartments to Homeless People