Monthly Newsletter: March 2025

Welcome to our Values in Action (VIA Isaiah) newsletter: Your quick guide to improving our community and the world at Temple Isaiah. For the newsletter archive, click here.


VIA ISAIAH IS…a collection of groups within Temple Isaiah who offer opportunities to temple members to serve those in need and to make our community more just through education, advocacy and direct service. Our efforts are grounded in the Jewish values of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world. Everyone is welcome and needed in this effort.


“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny” …Martin Luther King

Values in Action Calendar of Upcoming Events:

We invite everyone to join us for these upcoming Values in Action (VIA) events happening at Temple Isaiah. Be sure to add these to your calendar. We look forward to growing and meeting you and spending time together.



March 3 - March 9

Winter Nights - co-hosting at Orinda Community Church

Urgent! Volunteers Still Needed. Click here to volunteer.


March 11 - 5pm to 6pm

World Zionist Congress Voting Party @TIvote4reform.org


Refugee Shabbat

Friday, March 28

7:30pm Shabbat Service followed by an Oneg in the Oneg Room

Will be held on Friday, March 28, co-sponsored by HIAS.


April 14 - 1:30pm to 2:30pm

World Zionist Congress Voting Party @TIvote4reform.org 

Upcoming ViA Events in March 2025

To-Do

Winter Nights: Co-hosting at Orinda Community Church

Monday, March 3 through Sunday, March 9

Urgent! Sign Ups Still Needed for this event

Winter Nights is a rotating shelter for families in Contra Costa County. Temple Isaiah will be providing meals and evening activities at Orinda Community Church for the week of March 3-9. We will need shoppers, cooks and activity organizers for this effort to support Winter Nights this year. We will use Signup Genius so look for an announcement and links to volunteer in early February. We have been long term supporters of Winter Nights so please join us for this Temple Isaiah tradition. Click here to sign-up for Winter Nights.

Vote in the WORLD ZIONIST CONGRESS 2025 March 10 thru May 4


The 2025 election begins March 10! YOUR VOTE COUNTS! The ARZA slate = your vote for Reform Judaism 


The World Zionist Congress is the Parliament of the Jewish People all around the world. (Of the 500 delegates, 145 are from the United States.) Our votes have a direct impact on how Judaism is practiced in Israel and how much funding our Reform Movement in Israel receives.


By VOTING REFORM in the World Zionist Congress election, we can help provide critical support for our Reform Movement in Israel and our Jewish values of equality, pluralism, and tolerance.


Cantor Korn is on the Reform slate for the 2025 World Zionist Congress. If enough people VOTE REFORM, Cantor Korn could be one of the elected delegates!


Watch this video for an overview about the how and why of the importance of World Zionist Congress.

HELP US REACH OUR GOAL OF CASTING 1,000 VOTES

FROM OUR TEMPLE ISAIAH COMMUNITY


Voting will take place between March 10 – May 4, 2025. Voting is open to all individuals over the age of 18 who identify as Jewish. It can be done online OR at one of our Temple Isaiah Election parties.


NEED HELP voting .. come to one of two scheduled

 “WZC Voting Parties - at Temple Isaiah”


Tuesday, March 11: 5pm – 6pm in the Oneg Room

Monday, April 14: 1:30pm – 2:30pm in the Oneg Room


Enjoy some snacks, learn more about the World Zionist Congress, and cast your vote!


JOIN the excitement and watch the ONLINE kickoff for the entire Reform Movement Monday, March 10 from 5-6 pm PDT


Campaign Launch & Opening Night Vote-A-Thon

Pre-registration required for online event: https://urj.tfaforms.net/901?id=701UG00000JgH4l


Join Temple Isaiah campaign for the 2025 World Zionist Congress (WZC). The World Zionist Congress is the democratically elected international body that convenes every five years and is a way for Diaspora Jews like you to have a voice in Israel and stand up for pluralism, equality, and a path to peace.


Our goal is to ensure that Israel reflects our Reform Jewish values and is a place where our children and grandchildren will always be safe and welcome. The Reform Jewish representatives in the WZC help promote our values on issues that affect all of us.


The 2025 WZC elections will take place March 10 – May 4. Our congregation has started to build our team – and we will need your help!   Contact Amy Fischer Smith amyfischersmith@gmail.com,  Karen Goldberg kgoldgm@gmail.com, Judy Carney judy.carney0@gmail.com.

Are you ready to make a difference?

Join WRJ (Women of Reform Judaism) at the Rabbi Marla J. Feldman Social Justice Conference (SJC) in Washington, D.C.!  On April 4-7, 2025, join WRJ to lend a new spark to the biggest issues of our time. You will spend time with like-minded attendees equal in their dedication to advancing our Reform Jewish values through an important gendered lens. 


Registration is now open! Learn more at https://wrj.org/sjc2025.


Questions? Contact:

Karen Goldberg kgoldgm@gmail.com or Joani Share joanishare@gmail.com.

ICARE: Volunteer at White Pony Express - Eight lucky volunteers will join their interfaith friends at White Pony Express to rescue, sort, and pack food for delivery to people in need. We are partnering with another faith community on the first Sunday of the month from 1 - 3 pm. Be sure to volunteer on any of the following dates: March 2, April 6, May 4, June 1, July 6, August 3, September 7, October 5, November 2, and December 7. Click here sign up for this fun, meaningful volunteer project. NEW: Pony Express has moved. Their new address is 2470 Bates Avenue, Suite D in Concord. Also, all volunteers must complete new volunteer information by clicking here or arrive early. Questions? Contact Anita Weil at anitaweil@yahoo.com or Ilene Scharlach at ischarlach@aol.com.

Refugee Assistance – Temple Isaiah supports newly arrived refugee families through Jewish Family Children Services (JFCS). Our donations and volunteer time has greatly helped these families adjust to their new life. JFCS continues to need our assistance:

  • Welcome Team – be part of a team to welcome new refugee families.
  •  ESL Tutors
  • Grocery Shopping – buy groceries and deliver them to new refugee clients
  • Adult Bikes - in good condition
  • Personal Care- donate through Amazon by clicking here.

 Contact Lisa Hirsch if you have any questions or you are interested in helping.


The Crayon Initiative turns leftover crayons into smiles for kids in hospitals, by recycling them through The Crayon Initiative. Keep waxed crayons out of the landfills. See the big picture on their main website thecrayoninitiative.org. Women of Isaiah is running at drive at Temple Isaiah for crayons. Look for the bins. For more information contact Phyllis Edwards.


Angel Network connects caring temple members with people who need comfort or support in times of need and shares their joy in times of celebration. We help with meals, visits, phone calls, and get-well cards. We always need angels! You can choose a way to serve that fits your interests and availability. If you need an angel, please call the temple office at 925-283-8575, and you will be directed to the best person to assist you. If you want to be an angel, email Greta Frantz or Denise Glicklin.


Join the Multi-faith ACTION Coalition to tackle the root causes of poverty at the local and state level.. People from all faith backgrounds meet to identify issues, research potential solutions, and advocate by meeting with elected local and state officials, attending legislative visits, supporting bills, and writing letters. Contact Doug Leich to be connected with the task forces you wish to join. Learn more by clicking here.

Jewish Justice Organizations

American Jewish World Service - Inspired by the Jewish commitment to justice, American Jewish World Service (AJWS) works to realize human rights and end poverty in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Click here for more information.


Bend the Arc - Bend the Arc is building a multiracial, multiethnic, intergenerational movement of Jews and allies all across the country who are rising up to build an American future free from white supremacy, antisemitism, and racism. Click here for more information.


Dayenu - To secure a just, livable and sustainable world for all people for generations to come by building a multi-generational Jewish movement that confronts the climate crisis with spiritual audacity and bold political action. Click here for more information.


HIAS - Drawing on our Jewish values and history, and working with host communities, HIAS provides vital services to refugees, asylum seekers, and other forcibly displaced and stateless persons around the world and advocates for their fundamental rights so they can rebuild their lives. Click here for more information.


Jewish Family Services - Jewish Family and Children’s Services exists to provide professional and volunteer services for the purposes of developing, restoring, and maintaining the competency of families and individuals of all ages. Click here for more information.

 

Bay Area Jewish Community Relations Council - JCRC Bay Area is the largest collective voice of the Jewish community across San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Alameda, Contra Costa and Santa Clara Counties. We advocate for Jews to be able to live their own authentic Jewish lives and believe that by working together with other communities, the full vibrancy and diversity of Jewish identity will be embraced and celebrated. We mobilize Bay Area Jews and our allies to counter antisemitism and rising hate, advance social justice, strengthen civic engagement, and ensure a combined response to critical issues we all face. Click here for more information.


Keshet - Keshet works for the full equality of all LGBTQ+ Jews and our families in Jewish life. Click here for more information.


Mazon - National organization fighting to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the United States and Israel. Click here for more information.


National Council for Jewish Women (NCJW) - The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. Click here for more information.


Nexus Project - Advocates for robust, concrete action to push back against antisemitism. We urge policy makers and civic leaders to implement the National Strategy to Counter antisemitism. Click here for more information.


Religious Action Center (RAC) - Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (the RAC) has worked to educate, inspire, and mobilize the Reform Jewish Movement to advocate for social justice. We have helped activate the Jewish community in the key debates and mobilizations of each generation since our founding, from the civil rights movement to immigration reform. Click here for more information.


Truah (clergy) - T’ruah brings the Torah’s ideals of human dignity, equality, and justice to life by empowering rabbis and cantors to be moral voices and to lead Jewish communities in advancing democracy and human rights for all people in the United States, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories. Click here for more information.

To Learn

Recommended Book:

Your Heart Was Made for This by Oren Jay Sofer


Meditation teacher Oren Jay Sofer offers a practical guide to living with meaning and purpose amid social, environmental, and spiritual upheaval. Through personal stories, reflections, and actionable steps, he provides tools to cultivate mindfulness, resilience, and empathy, helping readers navigate life’s challenges with clarity and intention.

To Attend

Mental Health and Wellness

Our Mental Health and Wellness Taskforce offers the following support groups that are open to all. Questions? Contact Rabbi Miller or visit our Mental Health and Wellness webpage. Temple Isaiah is committed to mental health and wellness education and support and reducing the stigma of mental illness.


Next Session: Sunday, March 9, from 3 to 4:30pm on Zoom

Whether you are going through a difficult period or have ongoing mental health issues, please join us for our monthly drop-in support group. We provide an opportunity to share and support one another as part of a nonjudgmental, caring community. Facilitated by Diana MaKieve. Free of charge and open to our Jewish Community


Temple Isaiah’s Mental Health & Wellness Webpage has Spotlight articles that seek to educate and bring awareness to a variety of topics covering mental illness, addiction, spiritual well-being, and more. For article access, please visit our Mental Health and Wellness webpage and scroll down to “Spotlights.” Questions? Contact Diana Makieve.


Click Here to Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 850 2107 4973

Passcode (current password available in Shavua Tov) or join by phone at (408) 638-0968.

Tikkun Olan is NOW

Support VIA

VIA welcomes and greatly appreciates your financial donations. VIA funds are used to subsidize direct service projects that we participate in, like backpack, clothing or food kit assembly. To donate, please click here to login and select the "Values in Action" fund. Thank you.  

Contact Us

To contribute information to this monthly VIA newsletter, please contact co-editors

Judy Carney or Journey deVries.

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