The Mitzvah Brigade is the social action arm of Temple Har Zion.

Tikkun Olam, healing the world, is an integral part of what our synagogue represents and the Mitzvah Brigade finds new ways to reach out into the community and help those in need. Whether it’s holding a mitzvah day, a food drive, or honoring our veterans, the Mitzvah Brigade works in tandem with a variety of organizations that serve our greater community.
Volunteers (and books) needed for our (virtual) Mega Book Sale on March 3 to support the Mitzvah Brigade. Drop off your gently used books, then stay to help us scan in the ISBN numbers. All you need is a smartphone – we’ll show you how to download the free app, how to scan and sell. Clean out your bookshelves and do a mitzvah at the same time! No novels please… here’s a list of the categories of books we’re seeking:
  • Bibles
  • Business & money
  • Computers & technology (newer)
  • Cookbooks
  • Education & teaching
  • Health, fitness & dieting
  • Medical books
  • Religion & spirituality
  • Repair manuals (such as for cars)
  • Science & math
  • Self-help
  • Test prep
  • Textbooks (newer)
For more information, contact MitzvahBrigade@templeharzion.org.

 

 

See the Mitzvah Brigade in action at Community Mitzvah Day & MLK Day projects this year… making blankets at THZ:

and filling chemo bags at Kellman Brown Academy:
 
Some organizations we support:
Shopping bags ready to be filled with donated food.

JFCS/food bank – The Mitzvah Brigade purchases food through donations and collects foodstuffs people donate for this amazing organization. We also support various food drives throughout the year.

Veteran Haven South – We support our veterans! The Mitzvah Brigade uses donations to purchase specific items that veterans at this facility have requested and require.
 
Currently the Mitzvah Brigade will be supporting:
Cozzies for Chemo – Congregants  will make blankets that are presented to people going through chemotherapy, helping bring some ease and comfort to them.

Distributing Dignity – Through donations the Mitzvah brigade purchases and people donate,  tampons, pads and new bras are provided to women and girls in homeless shelters.

Donated bras
Women who attended Sisterhood’s Vashti’s Banquet donated bras for Distributing Dignity.

 

THZ Adopts 2 Families
Now in its second year, Temple Har Zion has adopted two families in need this holiday season. Thanks to Erna Meltzer’s hard work with the Mitzvah Brigade we will once again be able to help a couple of families put a smile on their face during the holiday season.


Our first family is made up of a mom and her three children, two boys 6 and 3 along with a daughter who is 3 months. This mom recently threw her husband out after he became abusive and has got a job but because of recent events is starting with nothing and needs our help.

This next family is made up of a mom, a dad and a 9-year-old boy who is autistic and has other special needs. Dad has serious health issues and on top of that recently had a kidney transplant so he is on total disability and is home recuperating. Mom is at home caring for her husband as well as being total caretaker for her son who has intensive needs and requires a great deal of his mom’s time and energy.

Please donate money or purchase something from the list below: 

New or gently used clothing:
Sleepers/ pajamas
Sweaters
Baby snowsuit
Parka size 7/8
Size 5T, 8 & 10 boys’ clothing
Baby girl clothes 3-6 mos.
Toys, etc.
Picture books through Grade 2
50-piece puzzles (no missing pieces, please!)

Legos

Drawing paper
Crayons & markers
Coloring books
Adult coloring books, too!
Nail polish, bookstore gift cards (for the mom)
Board games: 
My Little Pony
Guess Who
Chess
Scene It

Email Erna at erna08043(at)gmail.com so she can cross the item off the list.

 

At Temple Har Zion, tzedakah (charity) comes from the heart as we attempt to serve our community and evoke these truths:

The more tzedakah, the more shalom.
Whoever does charity and justice fills the world with kindness.
There are eight rungs in charity.
The highest is when you help a person help themselves.
(Pirkei Avot 2:8 Hillel,Talmud Sukkah 49b Maimonides, Mishneh Torah 10:71-3)