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| Temple Beth Or 56 Ridgewood Road Washington Township, NJ 07676 Phone: 201-664-7422 Fax:201-722-0270 info@templebethornj.org | |||||
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Social Justice // Mitzvah Projects | ||||||||||||
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Mitzvah Project Opportunities
This list is designed both for b’nai mitzvah students and for anyone who would like to make a difference in the world.
As part of the b’nai mitzvah program, each student and family will participate in meaningful mitzvah opportunities.
“Each student and his or her family are expected to participate in mitzvah/tzedakah projects. Each student is required to achieve eight to ten hours of mitzvah credit for individual mitzvah work. In addition, each family unit it required to do eight to ten hours of work repairing the world. Rabbi Zlotnick, Cantor Hayut, and Irene Bolton will provide ideas for mitzvah projects. (Community service work for school or other youth organizations does not count as completion of a mitzvah project for b’nai mitzvah).
-B’nai Mitzvah Manual
All mitzvah projects should be completed three weeks prior the bar/bat mitzvah, unless a waiver has been granted by the Rabbi, Cantor, or Director of Lifelong Learning.
This packet contains suggestions for both the individual project and the family project. As always, please feel free to consult with the Rabbi Zlotnick, Cantor Hayut, or Irene Bolton with specific questions or ideas.
Individual Mitzvah Project:
Each student should complete at least 8-10 hours of personal mitzvah work. Students can choose one project or work on multiple projects. There are two ways to accomplish this task – a customized project OR work in a social service agency:
CUSTOMIZED PROJECT:
A customized project is one that allows each student to create mitzvah work based on his or her talents and interests. Some examples include:
WORK IN SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY:
There are many agencies in Bergen County that are in desperate need of volunteer work. Some of the projects listed below are “one-time” projects and others require volunteers for a specific period of time. Most of the agencies listed will allow students to volunteer who are ten years of age and older. Once you have identified an agency, please call them for more details.
You can always find an up-to-date list of volunteer opportunities
in Bergen County at
Feel free to choose any organization or agency. Here are some suggestions for great places to volunteer:
Camp Acorn, Inc. (Paramus & Mahwah)
Provides a social and recreational program for children and adults with Disabilities. They are in need of counselors in the winter and summer. Counselors would work one-on-one with campers assisting them with art projects, sports, computers, swimming, and field trips. They also need people to help children with disabilities attend a dance held in Paramus the third Friday of every month.
(973) 471-2911
Camp Sunshine and Camp Snowflake (Ridgewood)
A recreational program for children and young adults with multiple disabilities. All programs are held at the duck pond in Ridgewood. Help with swimming, games, arts and crafts, etc.
(201) 652-1755
Children’s Therapy Center- Cerebral Palsy (Fair Lawn)
This agency offers therapeutic and educational services to children with special needs. They are looking for volunteers to help with painting, power washing, and outdoor beautification.
(201) 797-7440
Closter Animal Welfare Society (Closter)
Families are needed to take cats/kittens, dogs/puppies into their homes to care for them for a short period of time. Expenses are paid by the agency if needed.
(201) 768-0200
Cliffside Park Welfare Department
This organization provides a food pantry and monetary assistance for needy families. Help assemble bags of food during the holiday seasons.
(201) 313-2045
Community Food Bank of New Jersey (Hillside)
This group helps fight hunger and poverty by distributing food and grocery products, through education and training, by creating model programs and by involving all sectors of society. They need office volunteers to help prepare mailings and assist with data entry. They also need food sorters – people who will help sort, pack, label food items for distribution.
(908) 355-3663
Dr. David Goldberg Childcare Center (Westwood)
This center provides quality child care for every child who needs it, regardless of circumstances at a cost their families can afford. They need classroom aides – volunteers who love to work with children. Must be 13 years old.
(201) 664-4013
Jersey Cares (Hillside)
Works to meet the compelling community needs by encouraging civic engagement. Help with the New Jersey Cares Coat Drive – teams of volunteers are needed to sort collected coats at the Community Food Bank in Hillside.
(973) 664-4952
New Jersey Veterans Home (Paramus)
This is a state run residential facility for veterans. They offer a wide variety of daily activity programs within a long term care setting. Help serve a thanksgiving meal to clients.
(201) 967-7676
North Jersey Developmental Center (Totowa)
This is a state residential facility for developmentally disabled clients offering a variety of services. They need “home friends” – people who will communicate friendship and concern to clients by sending cards, letters, and gifts to clients who are not able to have outside visitors. You will be matched with your own client.
(973) 256-1700
Pascack Valley Meals on Wheels (Westwood)
A food service program for homebound residents of the Pascack Valley area who, due to age or physical disability, are unable to shop or cook for themselves. Help Make arts and crafts and bake cookies to be distributed with the meals.
(201) 358-3086
Reach Out, Inc.
This agency encourages the education and awareness of drugs, crime, violence, and prejudice through unique musical presentations. They work in schools, hospitals, police departments, etc. They are looking for singers and dancers to perform in the Bergen County area. Must have some dance experience.
(201) 945-0922
Regent Care Center (Hackensack)
Provides quality care for elderly residents. They need visitors to come meet with elderly residents (play cards, sing songs, tell stories, watch t.v, together).
(201) 646-1166
Saint Clares Home for Children (Newark)
A community based social service agency committed to providing family centered services to children and adults. They need help landscaping – grooming grounds, raking, sweeping, washing furniture, etc. They also need volunteers to sit with children by reading stories and doing arts and crafts projects.
(973) 483-4250
Table to Table (Englewood Cliffs)
This organization provides nutritious meals to non-profit agencies, such as soup kitchens. They need volunteers to help run the organization. They have many positions available, call for more information.
(201) 444-5500
UJA Federation of Bergen County (River Edge)
UJA is the central volunteer clearing house for Jewish residents of Bergen County. They always have an up-to-date list of people and agencies who need help. Call them for more information:
(201) 488-6800
Wellington Hall Care Center (Hackensack)
This is a for-profit nursing home that is always looking for volunteers to visit residents.
(201) 487-4900
YWCA of Bergen County (Ridgewood)
This organization is committed to the empowerment of women and girls and the elimination of racism. They need swimming volunteers to help work with adults and children with disabilities. Must be able to swim.
(201) 444-5600
Temple Beth Or (Washington Township)
From time to time, our own Temple Beth Or is in need of volunteers. Please speak to the Rabbi, Cantor, or Educator to see if there is any way for you to help give back to your own Temple community.
(201) 664-7422
Please feel free to choose your favorite organization or agency that is not listed here.
We are not required to complete the work, and neither are we free to desist from it. -Talmud
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