Opportunities for volunteering in and supporting important social action projects are many, and we regularly encourage our members to participate in specific activities when the needs are critical. You can always learn more by contacting the Social Action Committee through the temple office.
Many excellent programs need volunteer help. For example, a group of members makes lunches weekly, along with other religious organizations, and distributes them to local social service programs. Other opportunities include the following:
Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA of Talbot County) welcomes volunteers to take part in their work befriending vulnerable children in the welfare system. For further information go to www.casaoftalbot.org, or e-mail info@casaoftalbot.org, or call 410-822-2866.
Various umbrella organizations that provide assistance in a variety of fields. These include Chesapeake Helps [www.chesapeakehelps.org], which handles many Mid-Shore organizations. For basic information about the umbrella group to which the Temple belongs (Talbot Association of Clergy and Laity), the link is www.whatsoeveryoudo.org.
The URJ’s Religious Action Center website is www.rac.org.
The Talbot County Safe Neighborhoods Initiative, which seeks to limit gang activity. Call 410-820-5692, e-mail workingforpeace@peoplepc.com, or visit www.talbotcountypeace.org.
The Maryland League of Conservation Voters and the Maryland LCV Education Fund are engaged in a variety of environmental quality activiiities. Some are tied to the upcoming election; others such as a petition invitiative to bring more systematic recycling are not. For more information contact Ryan Ewing at 410-745-714-0009 or e-mail rewing@mdlacv.org, or visit www.marylandconservation.org.
The Neighborhood Service Center (126 Port Street, 410-822-5015) has a continuing need for non-perishable food for distribution to those in need. [www.neighborhoodservicecenter.org].
Talbot Association of Clergy and Laity – Temple B’nai Israel has been a strong voice and taken
many leadership positions within the Talbot Association of Clergy and Laity. TACL is an interfaith organization comprised of leading area clergy, a laity whose mission is centered on community involvement and social action while building and maintaining friendship and cooperation within the religious organizations housed in Talbot County. Along with hosting the annual Interfaith Thanksgiving service, always held in the sanctuary of Temple B’nai Israel on the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving,members of the Congregation have served and supported TACL in leadership roles since its founding over three decades ago, Most recently, Rabbi Hyman served as TACL president, 2011-2012. Temple B’nai Israel takes pride in the long standing and successful relationship it enjoys with the Talbot Association of Clergy and Laity.
A silent peace vigil continues to be held on Thursdays from 5 to 5:30 pm in front of the Court House on Washington Street.