Social Action Projects

The Tikvat Israel community is committed to undertaking and carrying out projects that will help repair the world and make it a better place (tikkun olam). The Social Action Committee, led by Robbi and Larry Cohen, identifies, organizes, and implements a wide range of projects.

Upcoming events:

Sunday, May 6 - Blood Drive

TI will hold a Red Cross blood drive on Sunday, May 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the social hall.

Please note: Tikvat Israel volunteers will not be calling congregants to schedule appointments. All appointments must be made online using the Red Cross scheduling program.

1. Go to: www.redcrossblood.org
2. Click on "make a blood donation appointment" (dark blue box on top right hand side).
3. Enter the Tikvat Israel sponsor code: 0539736
4. On the right hand side, select "click here to schedule an appointment to donate".
5. If you are a new user*, you must register.
6. If you already have a log-in, then sign in.
7. Choose a time and click on that link.
8. Click to confirm the appointment time.
9. You will receive an email confirmation from the Red Cross. *new users includes anyone who has not used this login system prior to November 21, 2011. *

   Need more information? Send an email to peezer200@yahoo.com for further information.

Generally, our social action projects and activities take place throughout the year, however, periodically, we have held a Mitzvah Day Event, to mobilize volunteers for time-limited activities, to get more people enthused and involved. Mitzvah Day activities have included:

• A blood drive
• Collecting and dismantling bicycles to send to underdeveloped countries
• Collecting eyeglasses for the Lions Organization
• Collecting cell phones for distribution to needy citizens
• Preparing toiletry packages for servicemen overseas and homeless shelters
• Making cards and collecting items for the NIH Children's Inn

Regularly scheduled social action projects include:

• Stepping Stones Shelter - Congregants prepare and deliver meals for shelter occupants (Contact Andi Kronzek)
• Potomac Valley Nursing Home - Congregants bring joy to Jewish residents, conducting Shabbat and holiday programs, and playing games or reading aloud to them. (Contact Roma Sohn or Rebecca Salon)
• Clean-up of Baltimore Road - Through Montgomery County's Adopt-A-Road Program, Tikvat Israel takes responsibility for keeping a portion of Baltimore Road clean and free of litter (Contact Stu and Molly Turkewitz)
• Literacy Tutoring - Under the sponsorship of the Greater Washington Jewish Coalition for Literacy, volunteers spend an hour each week with a second-grader at Meadow Hall Elementary School working on reading fluency and comprehension (Contact Ellen Eisner)
• Knitting and Crocheting Circle - Congregants meet weekly to work on scarves, mittens, hats, blankets and lap afghans for those who are cold, sick or lonely (Contact Mary Meyerson)

For more information, to suggest new projects, or to become involved, contact Robbi and Larry Cohen.