B’nai Mitzvah Volunteer Opportunities
“The world rests on three things: study, worship, and acts of loving kindness.” ~ Pirke Avot
Each of these three things are part of preparing to become a B’nai Mitzvah at Temple Sholom. To fulfill the G’milut Chasadim requirement of B’nai Mitzvah study, students choose a Mitzvah Project and learn what it means to be part of a community by finding ways to contribute.
Every student finds the right program that captures their passion and compassion for certain causes. We ask them to choose an issue that is meaningful, and set a specific and achievable goal to be reached (e.g., a number of hours to volunteer, an amount to be raised, etc.).
Our flagship programs of Monday Meal & Feed the Hungry are amazing ways to give back. We are deeply proud of both these opportunities for our students and families.
Temple Sholom Flagship Programs
B’nai Mitzvah marks the transition into adulthood as students become full members of the congregation and is a great opportunity to get involved in Temple Sholom’s flagship social justice programs through Sholom Justice.
Monday Meal
MONDAYS | 3:30 PM
IN PERSON AT TEMPLE SHOLOM
Food prep & setup shifts start at 3:30pm
Serving/clean-up shifts start at 4:45pm
Monday Meal is a long-standing Temple Sholom program that feeds over 2,500 meals annually. Volunteers prepare, set-up and serve a warm 4-course meal to guests in need.
Feed the Hungry
EVERY 2ND & 5TH SUNDAY | 9:00 AM
Through Feed the Hungry (FTH), Temple Sholom volunteers pack and deliver over 200 meals twice a month and deliver them to a partner organization for distribution. Monthly FTH sponsors shop for supplies, assemble sandwiches, and deliver them to Another Chance Assembly in Austin.
Previous B’nai Mitzvah students have worked with community organizations such as:
* indicates organizations with established Temple Sholom partnerships
Hunger & Homelessness
*The Ark
The Birthday Party Project
Cornerstone Community Outreach
Cradles to Crayons
EZRA
Greater Chicago Food Depository
A Just Harvest
Katie’s Krops
*JUF Uptown Café
Living Outside
*Nourishing Hope
*Maot Chitim
National Runaway Safeline
Night Ministry
Northern Illinois Food Bank
Share Our Spare
Souls 4 Souls
*JUF Uptown Café
Health
Autism Speaks
*CJE Senior Life
Kids Enjoy Exercise Now
La Rabida Children’s Hospital
Ronald McDonald House
Twist Out Cancer
Migrants & Refugees
Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago
*RefugeeOne
UNICEF
Education
BooksFirst
Jewish Council for Youth Services
Open Books
Climate
Galapagos Conservancy
Pushing the Envelope Farm
Israel
*Jewish National Fund
Magen David Adom