Kehilat Nitzan strives to combine in its activities the three pillars upon which the world stands: Torah (study), avodah (ritual), and gemilut chasadim (acts of loving-kindness).
Our Tikkun Olam committee works in a number of areas to promote the concept of gemilut chasadim in its broadest sense. These include support for members of our own kehila (community) as well as providing aid and working for social justice within both the Jewish and the wider Australian communities, and encouraging interfaith dialogue.
Recent activities of the committee have included:The Tikkun Olam Committee is calling for volunteers to join its programs or to work helping other agencies that we support such as: Sacred Heart Mission, Kosher Meals on Wheels, Wings of Care, Asylum Seeker Resource Center, Ardoch Foundation, Gawith Villa.
Our latest initiative is called K.N. Care. This effort brings together those in Kehilat Nitzan who need help and support with those who are willing to help. We seek caring volunteers who are good listeners and are willing to visit people at home or in hospital, who may be suffering from financial stress, physical or emotional problems and/or isolation . Volunteers will be trained by "Wings of Care's" professional facilitators, and Rabbi Bandel will co-ordinate K.N. Care. (We are also seeking an accountant and a solicitor to provide pro-bono services as required.) This letter provides more details.
For further information, to volunteer, or if you need help, please contact Evelyn, in confidence, at the Shule office on 9576 2255.
In keeping with our tradition of distributing food parcels to disadvantaged Jewish people at yom tov, the Tikkun Olam Committee provided baskets containing honey cake, honey, sweet apples and grape juice. Attached to each basket was a colourful shanah tovah card from Kehilat Nitzan. Our feedback was that the baskets increased the joy of Rosh Hashanah.
Kosher Meals on Wheels desperately needs drivers to deliver meals to Hospitals, either casual or regular. For further information please contact Lorraine Abel on 9527-5525 (am is best).
Gawith Villa works with Jewish Care to support people who have intellectual disabilities and provide them with the opportunity to experience an ordinary life. These special Jews have few or no personal relationships. Gawith Villa is seeking people who are willing to create a friendship and welcome a special Jewish person into their lives.
For more information, phone Sylvia Jonas at 0408 404 890.