Tikkun Olam

As Jews, we are obligated to work to repair the world. In order to fulfil our religious duty to perform tzedakah, the Tzedek/Social Justice Committee organizes, mobilizes and participates in the Beth Sholom Congregation's efforts to help the poor, the homeless, the hungry and those in need. Our current project is:

Child Welfare Supply Pantry

Beth Sholom is participating in the Faith Community Partnership of Frederick County (FCP).  The FCP is an initiative of the Frederick County Department of Social Services and  composed of religious organizations throughout the county that are dedicated to serving people struggling with abuse, neglect, poverty or disability. 

Beth Sholom is promoting donations to stock the FCP Child Welfare Supply Pantry with the following.

• Diapers Sizes 1,2,3,4 and pull ups
• Baby Wipes
• Laundry Detergent
• Vacuum Cleaner
• Baby Thermometer
• Pacifiers
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Toothbrush Toddler
• Dishsoap
• Boxes of Trash Bags
• Cleaning supplies - dusting spray, sponges, bathroom cleaner
• Baby Food Jars
• First Aid Kit
• Deodorant

The link to the SignUpGenius page to specify your donation, can be found HERE

Blessings in a Backpack
In January and February, congregants can donate food items to the Blessings in a Backpack program, which provides food over the weekend and holidays for school children participating in the Federal free or reduced-price school meals program and depend on school meals as their primary source of nutrition. BIAP provides nutritious food to more than 2,700 children in 19 elementary schools in the Frederick County Public School system. A $100 contribution will feed a child for each weekend during the school year. Checks can be made payable to Blessings in a Backpack Frederick and mailed to: 

Blessings in a Backpack
P.O. Box 3508
Frederick, MD 21705-3508

We will also collect food for BIAP if you wish to make an in-kind donation. Please be aware that BIAP can only accept the items specifically listed below.

• Rice-a-Roni, chicken; cups only
• Mac & Cheese, 7.25-oz. box; no micro cups
• Chef Boyardee Ravioli, 15-oz. can; no micro cups
• Cans of tuna fish; no packs or boxes
• Single-serve instant oatmeal packets
• Chicken noodle soup, old-fashioned, regular size
• 2-bar/pkg. oats & honey granola bar; no peanut bars
• Individual cups of fruit, applesauce or pudding; no squeeze packs
• Corn, green beans, red kidney beans or black beans, 15-oz cans
• Raman noodles, cello packs; no micro cups

Other annual projects include:

Food Drive
The Tzedek/Social Justice Committee encourages food donations throughout the year and promotes a special food drive for the Frederick Food Bank during Yom Kippur and Sukkot.

Day of Prayer
The committee promotes the Religious Coalition's Homeless Community Day of Prayer in November and encourages congregational participation in this event.

Alzheimer’s Walk
The committee promotes the annual October Alzheimer's Walk, and participation by congregants raises thousands of dollars for Alzheimer’s research.

National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
Beth Sholom takes part in a number of events in November that benefit and bring awareness to the plight of the homeless, including an interfaith dinner, a prayer walk, a forum and a movie.

Holiday Mitzvot
During the holiday season, the committee organizes a gift collection for seniors referred to Beth Sholom by the Frederick Department of Social Services, and congregation members serve Christmas Eve and Easter dinner at the local Soup Kitchen.

Chanukah Celebration
The Tzedek/Social Justice Committee and the women's group, Mitzvot and Friendship of Frederick, hold a Chanukah celebration for the residents of two local nursing homes.

COIPP Collection
Beth Sholom supports the Children of Incarcerated Parents Partnership by collecting hygiene products. COIPP, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization, was founded by a congregant. It assists families who have an incarcerated loved one, while working to educate the community about the issues facing these families.

There are three options for the delivering the donations:

• Drop it off at Frederick County Department of Social Services located at 1888 N. Market St., Frederick, MD 21701
• Ship the donation to the above  address , ATTN: Jennifer Silliman.
• Drop off the donation at Beth Sholom