Neighbors in Need

A Wider Circle

Who: Adults, families
Where: Silver Spring, MD
When: Throughout the year

A Wider Circle touches the lives of some of the neediest in the DC area in its efforts to address poverty. Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks at A Wider Circle, as are donations of furniture and household goods in good condition for use by needy families, and business clothes and accessories for those applying for jobs. Contact Betty Shevitz for more information.
Homes Not Borders

Who: Adults, families, teens
Where: At your home or at the Temple
When: Year-round and during designated collections at the Temple

Homes Not Borders helps furnish the homes of newly arrived refugee families and collects gently used furniture, dishes, and other household items year-round. We also hold collections for this organization occasionally at the Temple. Contact Michele Koenick for more information or if you have items to donate. Extra “muscle power” sometimes needed to help move items from congregants’ homes. Contact Michele to be added to a list of volunteers who might be available to help on short notice.
Language Outreach Program, Community Reach of Montgomery County

Who: Adults, teens
Where: Rockville, MD
When: 2 hours on Tuesday &/or Thursday evenings in the spring and fall

Be a teacher’s assistant in English as a second language classes for immigrant adults. Or volunteer to assist with homework or childcare for the children of our students. Contact Debbie Jacobs.

Grab and Go

Who: Adults, teens, families
Where: At the Temple, at your home, or elsewhere
When: Throughout the year

Hundreds of infants, children, and teens are placed into foster care on an emergency basis each year in Montgomery County. Most leave home or school in a hurry and cannot take anything with them. The children may also have to wait in a Child Protective Services social worker’s office before being placed into emergency foster care. The Tikkun Olam Committee and WTBA hold programs throughout the year to collect items needed by these children. Please watch for announcements of the need for volunteers and donations for Grab and Go programs in the Temple email blasts.
Rebuilding Together/Sukkot in Spring

Who: Adults, teens ages 14 and older
Where: Montgomery County, MD
When: Last two Sundays in April and first Sunday in May

Help repair/brighten the home of a low-income family in Montgomery County by working alongside other TBA members. Contact Roger Rothman. (Volunteers can sign up for a half day or full day on any or all of the dates.)
Jewish Foundation for Group Homes (JFGH)

Who: Adults, teens, families

Where: At TBA or occasionally at a JFGH home in the Rockville area

When: Throughout the year

Join fellow volunteers in hosting several JFGH women residents for an afternoon outing of crafts and fun at the Temple. Help residents with a craft project, play bingo, and enjoy a snack on a Sunday afternoon. Volunteers also needed to help host JFGH residents at Spirit of Shabbat Services periodically at the Temple. We also occasionally go to one of the group homes for Sukkot and other holiday celebrations. Contact Charlotte Zuckman for more information or to be added to the list of potential volunteers for these activities.