TBT SOCIAL ACTION – Repairing the World
One Mitzvah at a Time
At TEMPLE BETH TORAH (TBT), Social Action is a cornerstone of our community. See below for descriptions of our ongoing projects. We have many opportunities for you to volunteer. If you are interested in any of these projects, please contact Miriam Hirsch at
United Hatzalah - Give Oxygen, Give Life
Due to the Covid Pandemic, Israel supply of life-saving Oxygen tanks has been depleted. Temple Beth Torah has partnered with United Hatzalah to donate funds to help Israel replenish these much needed supplies.
Please help us reach our goal of 50 Oxygen tanks at a cost of $18,000. We have not had a sizable fundraiser for Israel recently and hope that you will want to join fellow congregants with your donation. For each tank that you pay for at a cost of $360, United Hatzalah will place an engraved plaque on the tank in memory of——, or in honor of——, at no additional cost to you!
In addition, any donation you make will be doubled.
Six years ago, TBT raised funds with United Hatzalah to purchase an ambucycle for Israel. It is still being used to help save lives each day. We hope that you will donate if you are able to, and help us to reach our goal. Please visit The TBT/United Hatzalah webpage(link below) and donate at any level that is comfortable for you!https://israelrescue.org/TBToxygentanks
Launching Temple Covid Fund - Phase II
Congratulations Temple Beth Torah for your tremendous support! In Phase I, we raised and distributed $3,800. We served delicious lunches to first responders, helped Temple members affected by the Virus, and donated food and money to worthy charities.
We now need your help once more, as people on Long Island are still desperately in need. For the past 30 years, we have partnered with the Gerald Ryan Center on many notable projects, among them the summer camp.
This year, the Wyandanch camp has been cancelled due to the pandemic. However, the Gerald Ryan Center has been feeding 2,000 people a month since the Lockdown began. This includes:
*The Elderly
*Children
*The Unemployed and Impoverished
*Those who are medically compromised
We can make a difference! Our goal is to raise an additional $3,000 to help the Gerald Ryan Center over the span of July, August, and September. Donations both large and small are all very much appreciated!
Please call the temple office to make your donation at 631-643-1200 or send a check. FOR MORE INFO contact Miriam Hirsch
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home. We believe affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities. Learn about our work. Help build a house for a worthy family. Contact Robin Messinger at
Long Island Coalition for the Homeless and TBT Sharing Table
Temple Beth Torah is continuing to help the homeless population throughout Long Island and we are asking for YOUR help. This pandemic has been overwhelming for all of us but extremely devastating to those who do not have homes and/or resources. As a result, TBT is joining forces with the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless and collecting the below items:
Personal Needs: Toothpaste, Shampoo, soap, deodorant, etc..
Non Perishable Goods: Peanut butter/jelly, tuna, cereal, etc.
Paper Products/Cleaning Solutions: Toilet paper, paper towels, paper towels
Baby Essentials: Diapers, baby food, baby lotion
Please deliver your donations to TBT. You can drop them at the Temple during their business hours which are 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Monday,Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, or Thursday 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. There will be a bin in the front foyer of the building.
For any questions, feel free to contact Mary Resnick-Chan at
Participating in this drive helps teach our children the valuable lessons of charity and repairing the world, Tikkun Olam
Mitzvah Mondays
Mitzvah Monday was created to highlight TBT members who are doing extraordinary things during these difficult times. Each Monday a TBT member/family is highlighted on Facebook ( www.facebook.com/TempleBethTorah/ ) sharing their unique story. TBT contacts are Miriam Hirsch at
Click here to view Photo Album.
JANUARY
Blood Drive
The supply of donated blood on Long Island needs constant replenishing. At our annual blood drive, you can either donate a pint and/or volunteer to help make calls or assist on the day of the drive. TBT contacts are Miriam Hirsch at
Midnight Run
Temple members and teens travel to New York City to give out food and clothes to those in need. The evening is always very gratifying to all who participate. One person stated that it was the best mitzvah project she had ever done. TBT contact is Robin Messinger at
MAY
USPS/Island Harvest Food Collection and Sorting
This is the day when everyone can place non-perishable food by their mailboxes and their letter carriers will pick up the food when they deliver the mail. Volunteers then work with Island Harvest to sort the food for distribution to local soup kitchens and food banks. TBT contact is Miriam Hirsch at
JULY
Wyandanch Camp
For over 20 years, TBT members have enriched the bare-bones summer day camp for local needy kids at Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church in Wyandanch through donations to sponsor activities or by volunteering to share their talents or just read a book one-on-one with a child. TBT contacts are Jiya Kowarsky at
The Lend-a-Hand Project (formerly M’Yad L’Yad)
Individuals are matched with a specific local Jewish family in need and periodically send them basic necessities such as clothing, household goods, and holiday items. TBT contact is Rabbi Rachel Wiesenberg at 631-643-1200 x 329 or
AUGUST
Backpack & School Supply Drive (for underprivileged children in our community)
Over the past several years we have collected over 1000 donated backpacks filled with school supplies which have been distributed through the Half Hollow School Districts elementary school. For more information or to help, contact Maxine Atkins:
Help Suffolk Day
A project of our Interfaith committee in coordination with St. Matthew Church, donated items are distributed each August to needy families at the largest homeless shelter on Long Island. Contact Mary Resnick-Chan at
SEPTEMBER
High Holiday Food Drive for Mercy Kitchen
Collection bags will be distributed on Rosh Hashanah. Please fill them with non-perishable food and return them to the Temple as you arrive for worship on Yom Kippur Day for donation to The Mercy Inn. TBT contact is
Judy Roth at
NOVEMBER
Thanksgiving Packing at Wyandanch Church (November)
Join the annual “human assembly line” or volunteers from TBT and Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Church in Wyandanch to prepare boxes of Thanksgiving dinner ingredients for local families in need. TBT contact is Rabbi Rachel Wiesenberg at 631-643-1200 x 329 or
NOVEMBER and DECEMBER
Island Harvest Turkey & Trimmings Collection Site (November or December)
As part of the annual Island Harvest holiday food drive, TBT will be fielding a team of volunteers to staff a local supermarket collection site on a weekend afternoon in November or December. TBT contact is Jeff Silverman at
Toy Drive to benefit the Gerald J. Ryan Outreach Center in Wyandanch (December)
Help provide a happy holiday season for local families in need. Please bring your donations of new, unwrapped toys for children from infants to twelve years of age. A collection box will be located in the Temple lobby
For additional information about Social Action Committee projects or to join the committee please contact:
Miriam Hirsch at