OUT OF THE COLD
CLICK HERE to register to volunteer for Out of the Cold. Please note that OOTC has moved to Monday nights. Volunteers are needed for shifts between 4:00pm and 10:00pm. The minimum age to volunteer is 11 and volunteers in grades 6-8 must be accompanied by an adult.
The duties for any given volunteer shift may vary from week to week and MAY include the following duties:
- Set up the dining room for dinner guests
- Sort clothing donations
- Prepare bagged lunches
- Serve dinner to those seated at your table
- Clean up following dinner
- Staff the guest registration desk
- Assist with an art program
- Help to facilitate games
- Fill clothing requests for guests
KOSHER FOOD BANK
Our food bank is one of two kosher depots in Toronto. The food bank is open every Wednesday at 9:00 AM. Each week our clients receive a bag of food staples which includes tuna, a canned vegetable, a canned fruit, a can of baked beans, pasta, tomato sauce, macaroni and cheese, soup mix and instant oatmeal. Coffee, tea, peanut butter and jam are also available on a monthly basis.
The Beth Sholom Kosher Food Bank has faced unprecedented challenges in meeting the ever-growing crisis of food insecurity in our community. In the early days of the pandemic, we were forced to close our operations. When we reopened we saw a steady increase in the number of clients using our service. As we face the possibility of becoming the only Kosher Food Bank in Toronto, we anticipate the need will only grow. Your support is needed now more than ever.
We would like to ask for the support of our membership in direct donations to our program in an effort to sustain our operations. Additionally, there are several other ways that you can support this important initiative:
- When donating to the synagogue in honour of a loved one, for a simcha, or other occasion please consider directing that donation to the Kosher Food Bank fund;
- When registering for a program please consider directing the donation to the Kosher Food Bank fund;
- When physically visiting the shul consider bring non-perishable items for drop off to our inventory.
- Consider buying grocery gift cards for distribution to our clients.
Your support is vital and greatly appreciated.
Along with our clients we thank you for your continued support. We are making a difference!
Deborah Pollit & Michelle Berman
Kosher Food Bank Committee
DONATING FOOD ITEMS
PEACE OF MIND
Every year, thousands of young Israeli combat soldiers are discharged from military service and return to civilian life. Many witnessed terrible sights, made split-second life and death decisions, or experienced the loss of a comrade. Yet scant attention is paid to their psychological preparedness to cope with the aftermath of their traumatic experiences.
There is an urgent need to strengthen our discharged soldiers and instill in them the tools to successfully handle and mitigate the impact of the psychological traumas that they faced during battle in their daily lives. This is where Peace of Mind and Beth Sholom come in.
Prior to coming to Canada, a select group of discharged soldiers (who are usually part of the same unit), two therapists and their social worker attend a two month preparatory workshop which brings them together and starts a dialogue on their combat experiences.
When the soldiers come to Toronto, they are billeted with Beth Sholom host families. The setting outside Israel allows the soldiers to disconnect from the stresses of Israel and from their immediate environment, and their program here combines half-day group sessions with leisure experiences. In addition, Beth Sholom hosts a meaningful and fun-filled Shabbat weekend to honour our soldiers and thank our volunteers and host families.
www.pomcanada.ca
VOLUNTEER WITH US!
“You are not required to complete the work, yet you are not allowed to desist from it.”
- Pirkei Avot, 2:21
The divine values of tzedek (justice), hesed (compassion) and shalom (peace) are given expression inside our community through such acts as visiting the sick or the elderly, paying a condolence call or volunteering as a Beth Sholom greeter. We extend our efforts to the larger community when we volunteer with our Kosher Food Bank and the Out of the Cold program, or serve as host families for Peace of Mind.
We invite everyone to engage in some aspect of making God’s kingdom on earth a reality. Such deeds are truly wonderful family activities — it is time well spent, and provides an opportunity for our children to earn volunteer hours and learn the values we want them to live by throughout their lives.
