Pictured from left to right: Alan Apter, Dan Matathias, Susan Apter, Amy Matathias, Naomi Baer, Jeff Baer, and Damon Ehrlich
Naomi Baer is part of a 16-year-old Havurah at Tikvat Israel, where members take turns coordinating events. When it was her turn in mid-September, Baer opted for something other than the usual social or holiday-related function.
Baer instead coordinated a social action project at A Wider Circle, a human services agency in Silver Spring.
She joined Jeff Baer, Damon Ehrlich, Susan and Alan Apter and Amy and Dan Matathias, all members of her havurah, in volunteering at A Wider Circle. After a brief orientation, the group moved furniture and sorted and displayed kitchen items and linens. After two hours, staff at the agency asked for feedback and provided more information about their services.
A Wider Circle, founded in 2001 by Mark Bergel, provided basic items of need, education and long-term support to create lasting change in the lives of those they serve. More than 300 government, social service and nonprofit agencies regularly contact A Wider Circle for help in serving their clients. Their goal is to lift people out of poverty helping to create the stability and dignity that everyone deserves.
