“The world depends on three things: Torah, Worship, & Loving Deeds.” -Ethics of the Fathers 1:2
  Social Action and Mitzvah Opportunities

Temple Israel has a long history of embracing social action causes and helping others.  Please check the calendar for current opportunities. Ways to help and get involved:
   Environmental Task Force       Dear Adam and Eve     God's Unfinished Business (GUB)
   Mitzvah Day       Temple's adopt-a-school, Wells Station      Common Ground

Blood DrivesPlease donate blood at these blood drives at Temple Israel: September 12, 2010; November 21, 2010; February 13, 2011; April 10, 2011. Please RSVP to Julie Klein or call 335-9981.

Environmental Task ForceAs the "Rethink-Reduce-Reuse-Recycle" concept incorporates Torah-based ideals, the Temple Israel Environmental Task Force seeks to:
    •Raise the level of awareness and consciousness regarding the need to use our resources in a forever sustainable manner
    •Educate the Temple Israel family, the Memphis Jewish community, and the greater Memphis area regarding getting "green" and going "greener"
     •Initiate and support "green" events, such as Cycle the Germantown Greenway (see Cycle photos) and the Eco Expo.
   •Establish communications with and encourage other "green" groups, particularly religious-based groups and youth groups

Rethink-Reduce-Reuse-Recycle with these Green Tip Sheets
Global Warming Global Warming Update Saving Gas
CFL Bulbs Disposal of CFL Bulbs Recycling
Composting Water Conservation

Rethink-Reduce-Reuse-Recycle with "Dear Adam and Eve" Advice
Green Power Blocks Germantown Recycling Hazardous Waste Facility
Catalog Cut-Backs Plastic Bottles Ozone Season
Barrels of Oil Less Trash Use Baskets to Recycle
Recycled Paper Leftover Paint Styrofoam Peanuts
Ride a Bicycle Home Habits Impact Energy Use Save $ w/Greener Products
When to Compost Make Gift Giving Less Materialistic The Story of Stuff
Addicted to Plastic? What can YOU do to Help? Eco-Expo Serious Fun
Recycle Alum Cans Save Trees with Toilet Tissue Earth Hour & Earth Day
Going Green-for Me? Save Petroleum Oil in Laundry The Story of Stuff 2
Spinning Our Wheels Organically Challenged? Green Living for Dummies
Plastic Water Traveling Recycle Status Traveling Recycle Status-2
Eco Travelogue-3 Eco Travelouge-4 Container Deposit Bill
  How to Get Started  
Email your "Dear Adam and Eve" questions to: DearAdamAndEve@timemphis.org.

The URJ's website, Greening Reform Judaism, is a "comprehensive web resource on greening and other environmental issues."  Check it out.

If you are a Temple member and would like to get involved with the Environmental Task Force, please contact Linda Kaplan.

Cycle the Germantown GreenwayThis year's event was June 6, 2010. (And thank you to the over 250 people who participated in this terrific event on June 7, 2009 that raised $7,000 for the Wolf River Conservancy.)  Check out pictures and this video!



Eco Expo Circle January 23, 2011 for Eco Expo III, another installment of this forward thinking event!

The Commercial Appeal covered the inaugural Eco Expo:
     • Raising Eco Awareness
     • Eco Expo Preaches Waste Not Resources

 

God's Unfinished Business
It all started with a sermon from Rabbi Danziger over 25 years ago.  Temple members have been helping other Temple members with this outreach program, affectionately known as GUB, ever since.   Condolence telephone calls, hospital visits, and delivering meals are a few of the loving deeds that volunteers perform.

If you are a Temple member in need of a service GUB provides, contact Cantor John Kaplan at (901) 937-2763 or email GUB.   If you are a Temple member and would like to help provide the services GUB offers, download and print the GUB pamphlet, fill out the form, and return it to Temple.

The image of the hands pictured above was drawn by Cantor Kaplan's mother, Peggy Kaplan, and it captures the spirit of GUB: working hand-in-hand to help others.


Mitzvah Day Mitzvah Day is Temple's congregation-wide day of community service.  Filled with the spirit of tikkun olam—the repair of the world—hundreds of volunteers of all ages reach out into the community to make a difference. Mitzvah Day is November 7, 2010.The chairs for 2010 are L to R: Brett Cohen, Paul Royal, Jimmy Ringel, Elaine Cohen, Natalie Royal, Cathy Poulin, and Janice Ringel.

TDTW

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