As Purim approaches, so does Temple Judea's biggest community-wide event of the year -- the annual, award-winning Purim Carnival! Did you know that this event relies entirely on the altruistic power of volunteers like you? Without YOUR assistance, our Carnival cannot happen! Sign up to volunteer today - not only are shifts are a breeze, (just 90 minutes max), but it's FUN! Help work a carnival game, hand out treats at a snack booth, and more! And no special skills or knowledge are required. Even your teens can join in and earn community service. CLICK HERE to learn more and sign up for a quick shift so we can  ensure another successful Carnival and bring the joy of Purim to the community! 

But wait, there's more! Another act of loving kindness awaits -- join Rabbi Aaronson's solidarity mission to Israel March 31 - April 5 and show your support during this time. Based out of Tel Aviv, participants will engage in transformative experiences like visiting with soldiers and Israeli scholars, standing side-by-side with Israelis preparing supplies for reservists, and harvesting vegetables for the country. To learn more or register for this once-in-a-lifetime trip before the extended March 15 deadline, CLICK HERE. For personal assistance, email Tammy Lerman at  .

And let’s not overlook Mitzvah Day 2024, set for Sunday, May 19. It's our most significant single-day of social action all year, where we partner with local organizations and our TJ auxiliaries for a variety of activities that will make a meaningful difference in our community and beyond. Our Religious School 7th graders will also share what they've learned about the value of tzedakah. Stay tuned for more details - this is a special day you won't want to miss!

Rabbi Jonathan Sacks once said, "Ask any volunteer and they will usually tell you that they gain more than they give. They don’t do it for recognition. They do it because they know volunteering helps change the world because it changes us." At Temple Judea, we couldn't agree more. Beyond rituals and Torah study, Gemilut Chasadim - acts of loving kindness - are the heart of our connection to Judaism. Volunteering embodies this principle, as Jewish tradition urges us to play an active role in making the world better through tikkun olam. It’s holy work, and Temple Judea is here to help you find impactful opportunities to make a difference. Together, let's continue to be agents for positive change - one act of loving kindness at a time!

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E-WASTE COLLECTION

Spring cleaning season is upon us, and while you're gearing up to bid farewell to chamtez in April, let's not forget about another clutter culprit: electronic waste! Mark your calendars for April 14 @ 9am because Temple Judea is teaming up with California Recycles and hosting an e-waste recycling event. Drive-thru and drop-off your old gadgets and gizmos to do your part for the planet during Earth month. Can't make it on the big day? No worries! Swing by the TJ lobby through April 18 to drop off your items.  Just a heads up, we can't take household batteries, VHS/DVD/CDs, fluorescent light bulbs, or large appliances. Ready to declutter responsibly? CLICK HERE to find out more and check out our list of accepted items.

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RAC-CA CLIMATE/GET OUT THE VOTE CAMPAIGN 2024

Would you like to have an oil well pumping in your backyard, or worse, right next to the playground where your kids play or the health clinic where your loved ones seek care? At RAC-CA, we fought tooth and nail to pass crucial state legislation banning new oil drilling because the health risks from exposure to drilling sites are downright terrifying. But now, the oil and gas lobby is pulling out all the stops to overturn this law with a sneaky referendum on our November ballot. They're flooding the airwaves with misinformation and throwing stacks of cash at their cause.

But here's the deal: we refuse to let them jeopardize our communities' health and wellbeing.  We know that it's going to take all of us banding together to educate our neighbors and ensure we turn out the vote to protect our health and a clean environment. Reach out to Ellen Israel at   to learn and get involved in this important work.

Join with fellow Jews from across SoCal on May 5th, 1:00-4:00 @ Temple Israel of Hollywood to learn about RAC-CA’s campaign for 2024. Our work will center around educating voters to KEEP the law which creates a buffer zone around new oil drilling, creating a 3200 ft. setback from schools, homes and other sensitive areas. This is a campaign encompassing climate, racial justice, public health, get out the vote and democracy; all our voices are essential to combat the oil/gas industry. Our day will be fun and educational--building community and momentum to win this battle! Click here to register.

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MITZVAH DAY 2024

Get ready to roll up your sleeves and turn your Jewish values into action because Mitzvah Day is coming on Sunday, May 19!  This opportunity only comes once a year, and it’s not just for Social Action committee members. With specially planned activities for our Early Childhood Center families to our TJVillagers, and everything in between- EVERYONE is invited to come and participate! 

Mitzvah Day is a chance to get together with your TJ family for fun focused on social action projects and donation collections that demonstrate our core Jewish values. Although we're still finalizing the lineup of activities and partner organizations, we invite you to save the date. As you start your Spring cleaning, we also invite you to save any new adult socks, new or gently used books, and travel sized toiletries, which we will collect for donation at our Mitzvah Day event. By joining together in these mitzvot, Temple Judea will make a powerful impact. See you there!

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HOPE IN MOTION: ISRAEL WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL TEAM COMING TO L.A.

Temple Judea is partnering with other local Jewish organizations to bring inspiring basketball players from the Israel ParaSport Center to Los Angeles on a Hope in Motion wheelchair basketball tour. Catch their community exhibition game on Sunday, Mar. 10 @ 5pm at DeToledo High School. Want more adrenaline-filled action? Venture to the Merage JCC or Orange County on Tuesday, Mar. 12 @ 11am to see four teams battle it out at center court. CLICK HERE to learn more, purchase tickets, or offer support to the Israel ParaSport Center, whose services are needed now, more than ever, to provide rehabilitation, social services, community, and hope to those in need. 

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SPOTLIGHT ON OUR TJ TEENS

A huge shoutout to all who backed our 8-9th graders and their Equity, Wellness and Safety Board in their "Stand" fundraiser! The mission continues as they strive to raise $7,500 for organizations championing support for Israel, mental health, youth in sports, and reproductive rights. Ready to join the cause? You can chip in directly HERE and select "Teen Philanthropy." 

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Donate sack lunches to support hungry neighbors. Mondays, Mar. 18 (TJ),  Apr. 1 (TJ) @ 10am. Pack sack lunches at home (every first and third Monday of each month) for our hungry neighbors at Hope the Mission. Bring them to the designated location and our volunteers will deliver them! Learn More

A brave space for LGBTQ+ Teens.  Mondays, Mar. 18, Apr. 1 @ 6:30pm. Jewish teens are invited to meet for connection, reflection, support and fun. Learn More 

Help plan an amazing Mitzvah Day 2024! Wednesdays, April 3, May. 1 @ 7pm. Help us plan Temple Judea's Mitzvah Day, scheduled for Sunday, May 19! Let's ensure it's a day filled with tikkun olam. Learn More

Earth month E-waste collection. Sunday, April 14 @ 9am - 12pm & all week. Help the planet by keeping electronic waste out of the landfill. TJ's Green Team makes it easy by collecting items like cellphones, printers, TVs and more. Drop off all week. Learn More

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ONGOING INITIATIVES

   

 

All of the work we do aligns with initiatives and policies supported by the Union of Reform Judaism both nationally and in California. Every day, we are inspired by the thousands of volunteers in all of these different areas who work tirelessly to make a difference. YOU could be one! Learn more and get involved!
CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT B'TZELEM @ TEMPLE JUDEA