Tzedek, Tzedek, Tirdof -- Justice, Justice, You Shall Pursue, and guided by the Pirkei Avot 2:21: “You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.”
Bring your energy to one of Beth Shalom’s current social action activities. Find an activity and contact the lead person or the office to participate. If there is an area of social action that you would like to see Beth Shalom involved in, contact the office.
Cold Weather Shelter
For two weeks a year, Beth Shalom partners with Linden Linthicum Church and Kittamaqundi Church to provide a safe place for the local homeless community. Our contributions include making dinners and lunches, driving guests, doing laundry, helping with overnight stays, and providing entertainment.
Holiday Food Drives
We give out empty grocery bags at Rosh Hashanah and collect filled bags until soon after Yom Kippur. The food is donated to Howard County Food Bank. Last year Beth Shalom Congregants donated 2000 lbs. to the food pantry. Before Passover, we collect food for the Howard County Food Bank and the Howard County Community College Food Bank.Update this content.
Elizabeth House
This food pantry in Laurel provides no-questions-asked dinners and takeaway lunches 365 days a year. (See http://www.fishoflaurel.org/.) Beth Shalom helps to serve dinner on the 5th Thursday of the month and has also helped out on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. 2024-25 dates are Aug. 29, Oct. 31, Jan. 30, and May 29.
People Acting Together In Howard (PATH)
This county organization’s projects include: get out the vote, transportation issues, repealing the mobile home tax, and immigration. For more information, please contact Becca Niburg and Nancy Schweiss.
Voter Education
We distribute information about election deadlines and mail-in balloting to the Beth Shalom community.
Prison Program
Beth Shalom congregants lead a Jewish discussion group with Jewish inmates at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women in Jessup. This program is held the first Thursday of every month. For more information, please contact Abby Glassberg or Becky Lessey.
Candle Lighting
At Harmony Hall and Brightview Senior Living during Hanukkah.
Holiday Baskets
We deliver baskets to assisted living facilities for Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, Purim, and Passover.