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Copyright © 2009
Temple Shalom
Medford MA

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Social Action

Tikkun Olam -

At Temple Shalom, Medford, the concept of tikkun olam, literally “fixing the world” is central to our synagogue community. The Temple Shalom Social Action Committee meets monthly. Our causes and commitments are local and global, secular and Jewish.

Temple Shalom participates annually in Cheshvan: International Jewish Social Action Month with a variety of hands-on events

Synagogue members donate non-perishable food year round, which is contributed to the Medford Food Pantry

The Social Action Committee hosts an annual Red Cross Blood drive.

Speakers have included representatives from Save Darfur, New England Organ Donor Bank, Heading Home Shelter, Massachusetts Climate Action Network, and many more.

For the years 5770 and beyond, the Social Action Committee has two major initiatives:

The first is to continue our tradition of partnering with a local non-profit. This year we are supporting the Medford Family Network www.medfordfamilies.org . The Medford Family Network (MFN) is a universal (everyone welcome) parenting education and family support program focusing on the positive impact and developmental process of children from birth to age 6, and the families who care for them.

One of the events which we held to support the MFN was a “Shower of Support.” See article below.

The second initiative of the Social Action Committee for 5770 is to educate the Temple Shalom Community of the ideas of a more “sustainable” Jewish community. Over the past several years we have continually found ways to make Temple Shalom more “green”. This summer have planted our first community vegetable and flower garden. Fresh flowers decorate our bima each Shabbat. Vegetables are harvested and donated to the families of the Heading Home Shelter in Medford. www.headinghomeinc.org

For more information about Social Action at Temple Shalom, please write to Melanie at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Shower of Support for MFN

In the spirit of Tikkun Olam, or fixing the world, each year the Social Action Committee chooses a local
non-profit to support, and this year our partner is the Medford Family Network, and on Sunday May 16, the
we hosted a "Shower of Support" to help Medford families in need.

It is forbidden to live in a town that does not have a green garden.

(Jerusalem Talmud, Kiddushin 4:12)

The whole thing began with a little seedling of an idea at a Social Action meeting long ago. We’d build raised beds, tiny hands would sow the seeds, blossoming flowers could be cut and grace the bima on Shabbat. Most importantly, harvested vegetables would donated to the heading Home Shelter in Medford. The children in the Hebrew school voted on a name for the garden. How appropriate that they called it Gan Tzedakah.

Warm hearts and willing hands wanted!

The Social Action Committee is starting a KNITTING FOR CHARITY group.
All ages and ability levels are welcome, even if you don't know how to knit but want to learn.
Help chose the charities that will receive our hand made items. Join in this fun and fulfilling endeavor.
For more information and to sign up, please contact Selma Adler or the Social Action Committee at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Year Long Food Drive

The Social Action Committee is sponsoring a year long food drive to support the Medford Community Food Bank.

Please consider buying one extra item each week when you do your shopping.
Please bring non-perishable food items to the Temple each time you come and leave them in the designated baskets and boxes in the lobby.

(We will, of course, gladly accept all other non-perishable items as well.)

An egalitarian Jewish community