The Adath Hesed Committee is our Congregation’s social justice committee, focusing on direct service, advocacy and support in areas of affordable housing and food insecurity in the U.S. and Israel and working with other organizations to promote social justice in a variety of additional areas.
Breaking Hesed News
The Hesed Committee has created a “Welcome Circle” - a U. S. Department of State initiative - to resettle a refugee family in the Minneapolis area. Our Congregational Welcome Circle has been assigned a family of five who left Venezuela and now reside in Columbia, where we believe they are temporarily shielded from the considerable political turmoil in Venezuela. The family is a husband, wife, two adolescent boys, and an infant girl, and we expect to know their arrival date soon; their date could be a few weeks before or even a few days before.
The Hebrew Immigration Aid Society (HIAS) is working with us to help establish the family in the community within their first six months in the U.S. Each year, the United States admits a defined number of particularly meritorious refugees who are carefully vetted. They come to the United States with full immigrant legal status, are granted work permits and social security cards, and are on the road to citizenship. HAIS fully vets refugees through criminal background checks and provides appropriate mechanisms for the family to obtain social security cards and become U.S. citizens.
Three Adath members are co-chairs of the project and several other volunteer members have agreed to handle each of the areas of need.
The Hebrew Immigration Aid Society (HIAS) is working with us to help establish the family in the community within their first six months in the U.S. Each year, the United States admits a defined number of particularly meritorious refugees who are carefully vetted. They come to the United States with full immigrant legal status, are granted work permits and social security cards, and are on the road to citizenship. HAIS fully vets refugees through criminal background checks and provides appropriate mechanisms for the family to obtain social security cards and become U.S. citizens.
Three Adath members are co-chairs of the project and several other volunteer members have agreed to handle each of the areas of need.
You Can Help Now
Donate Funds: We are required to raise almost $2500 for each family member. The Shapiro Foundation has generously committed to help cover expenses, but more will be needed.
Help us find housing: We expect to need a safe, clean, affordable 2 or 3 bedroom apartment in Minneapolis or the western or southern suburbs, close to transportation. If you own an apartment or condo or can help find one, please contact ([email protected])
Go Shopping for household items: We have set up an Amazon wish list of items. With a few clicks, you can purchase an item or two which will be sent to the team for safekeeping until housing has been found.
Donate new or gently used personal and household items: Use our Sign-up Genius form and drop the items off at the Gan during regular hours .
Help us prepare the apartment: If you have access to a truck or know anyone with strong arms, we will be needing help moving some items into storage now and into the apartment in the future. We also will need help setting the apartment up. If you can help with any of these tasks, please contact [email protected].
Help us greet the family when they arrive at the airport: Smiling faces are required; some Spanish skill are icing on the cake. If you would like to help, please contact [email protected].
For more donation and furnishings information or questions, contact [email protected].
Thanks in advance. Every baby bottle, frying pan, broom or dollar that we can collect together will allow us to take advantage of our wonderful Adath village.
Help us find housing: We expect to need a safe, clean, affordable 2 or 3 bedroom apartment in Minneapolis or the western or southern suburbs, close to transportation. If you own an apartment or condo or can help find one, please contact ([email protected])
Go Shopping for household items: We have set up an Amazon wish list of items. With a few clicks, you can purchase an item or two which will be sent to the team for safekeeping until housing has been found.
Donate new or gently used personal and household items: Use our Sign-up Genius form and drop the items off at the Gan during regular hours .
Help us prepare the apartment: If you have access to a truck or know anyone with strong arms, we will be needing help moving some items into storage now and into the apartment in the future. We also will need help setting the apartment up. If you can help with any of these tasks, please contact [email protected].
Help us greet the family when they arrive at the airport: Smiling faces are required; some Spanish skill are icing on the cake. If you would like to help, please contact [email protected].
For more donation and furnishings information or questions, contact [email protected].
Thanks in advance. Every baby bottle, frying pan, broom or dollar that we can collect together will allow us to take advantage of our wonderful Adath village.
Stay Tuned
There will many other ways to help as we learn more about the family.
For further questions or information about the Hesed Welcome Circle, please contact [email protected].
For further questions or information about the Hesed Welcome Circle, please contact [email protected].
Additional Information
Information on the welcome circle program
We will be helping a refugee family become established in the community within their first six months in the U.S. Refugees are defined as individuals having a well-founded fear of persecution in their home countries who seek the protection of the international community to provide them with safety and security. Each year, the United States admits a defined number of particularly meritorious refugees who are carefully vetted. They come to the United States with full immigrant legal status, are granted work permits and social security cards, and are on the road to citizenship.
Volunteers welcome the family, orient them to the new environment and provide help with:
Volunteers welcome the family, orient them to the new environment and provide help with:
- Housing and furnishings
- Finance and employment
- Benefits and healthcare
- Education and Language
High Holy Day Food Drive and STEP Food Pantry
High Holy Day Food Drive to benefit the STEP Food Pantry in St. Louis Park.
Thank you to everyone who donated to the High Holy Day Food Drive. If you didn't have a chance to donate food items, we invite you to donate funds. Stay tuned for Food Drive donation results!
Help serve a meal at a neighborhood shelter - Dates Available
Gather your friends, family, chavura, etc., and contact Joy Sandler at [email protected] to help make arrangements. The shelter requires volunteers to be 14+ years of age with adult supervision.
Thank you to everyone who donated to the High Holy Day Food Drive. If you didn't have a chance to donate food items, we invite you to donate funds. Stay tuned for Food Drive donation results!
Help serve a meal at a neighborhood shelter - Dates Available
Gather your friends, family, chavura, etc., and contact Joy Sandler at [email protected] to help make arrangements. The shelter requires volunteers to be 14+ years of age with adult supervision.
Past Events
Adath Congregants met with Minnesota Congress persons asking for support of MAZON’s Farm Bill Priorities. These priorities include protecting and strengthening funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (aka food stamps).
August 14, 2023
Rabbi Kravitz, Ardis Wexler, Steve Krikiva, Larry Parks, other Rabbis, members of Beth El and Bet Shalom social justice committes met with Dean Phillips, MN 3rd at the ICA Food Shelf along with ICA staff and Michelle Ness, PRISM Executive Director to discuss MAZON’s Farm Bill Priorities.
Pictured left to right: Bill Burr, ICA Ops Mgr, Congressman Dean Phillips, Michelle Ness, PRISM Executive Director, Ardis Wexler, Steve Krikiva
Congressman Dean Phillips at ICA to discuss MAZAON’s Farm Bill Priorities along with Rabbi Kravitz and Adath congregants Larry Parks, Ardis Wexler and Steve Krikiva
Article from Rabbi Alexander Davis, Beth El Synagogue
in their August congregational email blast
Yesterday, I participated in a meeting with Congressman Dean Phillips at ICA, a food shelf in Minnetonka, to learn about and discuss issues of food insecurity. The meeting was organized by Mazon: A Jewish Response to Hunger, together with JFCS, and Prism and included clergy and lay leaders from Adath Jeshurun Beth El, and Bet Shalom. Beth El was represented by social justice committee chair and committee member, Aklilu Dunlap and Cindy Witkin.
One of the points that was emphasized was that people who face food insecurity often have compounding needs. ICA responds by helping address issues of housing insecurity, helps with job searches, provides mental health support, and more.
At the close of the meeting, I shared words which appear in our Yom Kippur haftara and which inspire our annual STEP food drive. The prophet Isaiah calls on us to “satisfy the famished.” For then, “will our light shine in the darkness.”
There is much darkness in our nation as the number of people who are food insecure increases. Indeed, the problem is larger than any one institution or faith-based organization can solve. That is why we turn to government to help address the systemic issue of hunger in America.
Even as we advocate for our government to address the systemic issue of hunger insecurity, we are called upon to do our part. Support our annual Yom Kippur STEP food drive. Together, we can shine a light on this nation.
-Rabbi Alexander Davis
One of the points that was emphasized was that people who face food insecurity often have compounding needs. ICA responds by helping address issues of housing insecurity, helps with job searches, provides mental health support, and more.
At the close of the meeting, I shared words which appear in our Yom Kippur haftara and which inspire our annual STEP food drive. The prophet Isaiah calls on us to “satisfy the famished.” For then, “will our light shine in the darkness.”
There is much darkness in our nation as the number of people who are food insecure increases. Indeed, the problem is larger than any one institution or faith-based organization can solve. That is why we turn to government to help address the systemic issue of hunger in America.
Even as we advocate for our government to address the systemic issue of hunger insecurity, we are called upon to do our part. Support our annual Yom Kippur STEP food drive. Together, we can shine a light on this nation.
-Rabbi Alexander Davis
August 13, 2023
Steve Krikiva, Adath Congregant and a member of MAZON’s national government affairs committee, met with Congresswoman Betty McCollum, MN 4th to discuss MAZON’s Farm Bill –
Steve Krikiva, Adath Congregant and a member of MAZON’s national government affairs committee, met with Congresswoman Betty McCollum, MN 4th to discuss MAZON’s Farm Bill –
A small group through Hesed prepared a lovely meal recently for the residents of Our Saviour's Shelter. Two of our Hesed Heros, Sheryl and Gabriel Cooper went to great lengths to bake three types of luscious desserts for the shelter’s residents! We hope to volunteer more this fall and winter. However, due to the Delta variant, Hesed will be making decisions one day at a time following the guidance from Adath leadership, the CDC and local officials in order to ensure everyone’s safety. We are asking all Hesed volunteers to be completely vaccinated and wear masks in order to prevent spread. It’s a huge Mitzvah to volunteer, but it’s critical we make sure everyone is safe!
L’Shanah Tovah from Hesed! Wishing everyone a healthy, happy and blessed New Year!
Read all About it
Read about the work that Hesed has been able to do in the community, and also hear from members of our Giving Circle on what makes advocacy, volunteering, and donating such an important part of their Adath life in the Blog.
Thank you to our Hesed Heroes
Organizations we work with
MAZON is asking congregations encourage congregants to contact their Congress members requesting support of MAZON’s Farm Bill Priorities. These priorities include protecting and strengthening funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (aka food stamps)
MAZON’s Farm Bill Priorities:
MAZON’s Farm Bill Priorities:
Please write or email your Senators and Congress persons asking them to support MAZON’s Farm Bill priorities:
Senator Amy Klobuchar: https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact
Senator Tina Smith: https://www.smith.senate.gov/share-your-opinion/
Minnesota Congress Persons: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
“Each year on Purim we recount our ancestors’ efforts to protect us from unfathomable evil. In their spirit, this year we must continue to advocate for the most vulnerable among us. At a time when millions of Americans are struggling to put food on the table and the COVID-19 pandemic continues to exacerbate food insecurity, I hope you will join in standing up against the injustice of hunger, and support MAZON. With your support, we can secure a world in which people of all faiths and backgrounds can feed themselves and their families with dignity.”
Donate to Mazon
MAZON 2022 Insider Briefing Series-- See Rabbi Kravitz's Opening Remarks!
As part of the MAZON 2022 Insider Series, Rabbi Kravitz participated in a discussion with Lt Gov Peggy Flanagan and Abby Leibman, MAZON CEO and President, titled “Single Moms in the Perfect Storm: The Feminization of Poverty and Hunger”.
Senator Amy Klobuchar: https://www.klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact
Senator Tina Smith: https://www.smith.senate.gov/share-your-opinion/
Minnesota Congress Persons: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
“Each year on Purim we recount our ancestors’ efforts to protect us from unfathomable evil. In their spirit, this year we must continue to advocate for the most vulnerable among us. At a time when millions of Americans are struggling to put food on the table and the COVID-19 pandemic continues to exacerbate food insecurity, I hope you will join in standing up against the injustice of hunger, and support MAZON. With your support, we can secure a world in which people of all faiths and backgrounds can feed themselves and their families with dignity.”
Donate to Mazon
MAZON 2022 Insider Briefing Series-- See Rabbi Kravitz's Opening Remarks!
As part of the MAZON 2022 Insider Series, Rabbi Kravitz participated in a discussion with Lt Gov Peggy Flanagan and Abby Leibman, MAZON CEO and President, titled “Single Moms in the Perfect Storm: The Feminization of Poverty and Hunger”.
Our mission is "to offer hope as we provide assistance to our neighbors in need". Our vision is "to uphold the dignity of our neighbors in need as they strive for self-sufficiency, and share the ongoing work of assisting our neighbors in partnership with the congregations, organizations, businesses, and individuals in our communities".
Click here to donate now
Click here to donate now
"PRISM is committed to responding to the needs of our community during these challenging times - Donations are down, visits to the food shelf are expected to rise. What we need most is cash and food. Please consider making a donation to PRISM to ensure we have the necessary food to give to our most vulnerable neighbors."
Click here to donate online
Click here to donate online
"The St. Louis Park Emergency Program’s mission is to identify, address and respond to the critical and emergency needs of residents in St. Louis Park. We are the St. Louis Park community food shelf and social service agency. We directly provide food and clothing to residents in need, as well as advocacy, referrals, and build a collaborative relationship. Since 1975, STEP volunteers and professional staff have been empowering lives and restoring hope. Our vision is to be the trusted resource for connecting community members with resources to fulfill their basic needs."
Click here to find ways to donate
Click here to find ways to donate
Other Organizations/causes we support and are active with
Affordable Housing
Edina Neighbors for Affordable Housing
Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing (MICAH)
Gun Violence Prevention
Moms Demand Action
Protect Minnesota
Jewish Community Action – Minnesota’s Jewish Voice for racial and economic justice for all
RISE Early Learning Center, St Louis Park. founded by Westwood Lutheran Church, developed in partnership with CommonBond Communities. Adath is one of 11 sponsoring congregations.
Our Saviour’s Community Services – Serving meals at their shelter
Loaves and Fishes – Serving meals at their shelter
Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC) – advocacy on social justice issues at the State of Minnesota legislature
Support for Ethiopian Jews
Jewish Agency - main role is Aliyah and absorption
North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry NACOEJ www.nacoej.org/
The Jewish Federations of North America JFNA https://www.jewishfederations.org/
Represents 146 independent Federations and a network of 300 smaller communities across the continent. Their mission is to protect and enhance the well-being of Jews worldwide through meaningful contributions to community, Israel and civil society.
Struggle to Save Ethiopian Jewry (SSEJ) - donations go straight to ground zero of humanitarian aid for those still in Ethiopia; food, medical care, education and security
Joint Distribution Committee JDC https://www.jdc.org/
Global Jewish humanitarian organization
Edina Neighbors for Affordable Housing
Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing (MICAH)
Gun Violence Prevention
Moms Demand Action
Protect Minnesota
Jewish Community Action – Minnesota’s Jewish Voice for racial and economic justice for all
RISE Early Learning Center, St Louis Park. founded by Westwood Lutheran Church, developed in partnership with CommonBond Communities. Adath is one of 11 sponsoring congregations.
Our Saviour’s Community Services – Serving meals at their shelter
Loaves and Fishes – Serving meals at their shelter
Joint Religious Legislative Coalition (JRLC) – advocacy on social justice issues at the State of Minnesota legislature
Support for Ethiopian Jews
Jewish Agency - main role is Aliyah and absorption
North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry NACOEJ www.nacoej.org/
The Jewish Federations of North America JFNA https://www.jewishfederations.org/
Represents 146 independent Federations and a network of 300 smaller communities across the continent. Their mission is to protect and enhance the well-being of Jews worldwide through meaningful contributions to community, Israel and civil society.
Struggle to Save Ethiopian Jewry (SSEJ) - donations go straight to ground zero of humanitarian aid for those still in Ethiopia; food, medical care, education and security
Joint Distribution Committee JDC https://www.jdc.org/
Global Jewish humanitarian organization
Support for Turkish earthquake relief through Hebrew Immigration Aid Society (HIAS)
Other hesed content
Hesed Committee Meeting Minutes Coming Soon.
