TOPAZ: Tikkun Olam Projects (A-Z)
TOPAZ Mission Statement
TOPAZ (Tikkun Olam Projects from A to Z) creates the focal point for our socially conscious congregation. TOPAZ aims to have an impact on both our congregation and on the greater community by striving to make a difference in our three facets through actions and education.
TOPAZ Facets (Values)
1. Supporting Healthy Households: This facet includes programs that address issues of food security, clothing needs, school needs, and health.
2. Protecting Our Environment: This facet includes programs that address environmental sustainability.
3. Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: This facet includes programs and activities impacting equality, inclusion, voting rights and outreach.
TOPAZ Charter
- TOPAZ recognizes that the three facets are not isolated issues, but impact and influence one another. Topaz’s social action projects will be informed by a social justice lens, reflective of our Jewish values and teachings.
- TOPAZ will work to strengthen these facets through active involvement of all member units at Har Sinai Oheb Shalom Congregation, whether a member chooses to work on one or many aspects of this initiative.
- TOPAZ is committed to collaborating with our internal and external partners to address underlying needs within our local and global community.
- TOPAZ will evolve and adapt, striving to meet the needs that are central to Tikkun Olam, while creating an open and welcoming environment for all.
TOPAZ (Tikkun Olam Projects from A to Z) Facets
This grass roots committee relies on initiatives from our HSOSC members and is welcoming of other ideas and projects with the support of our congregants
Supporting Healthy Households:
This facet includes programs that address issues of food security, clothing needs, school needs, and health
- Food Drives – High Holy day and Purim to Passover Food Drive
- High Holy Day to go to Kennedy Krieger Institute (Baltimore City)
- Purim to Passover Food Drive to go to Community Crisis Center (Baltimore County)
- Seasonal Giving Drives
- FALL - School Supply Drive for Windsor Hill Elementary
- WINTER - Gloves and Hats collection for Weekend Backpacks
- SPRING - Clothing Drive for Grace Hospital
- SUMMER - Camp Needs for St. Vincent Summer Camp
- Weekend Backpacks at HSOSC
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Monthly project packing 600 bags of food for Weekend Backpacks, involving our JEM Religious School students and other congregants. HSOSC is responsible for funding $3,000 for each month's packing - donations can be made through HSOSC under the Weekend Backpacks at HSOSC link
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The Shabbat Box Project
- Monthly deliveries of items appropriate for Shabbat or various holidays are delivered to our seniors by our congregants
- Congregants are needed to pack up boxes and to drive them to various locations in the Baltimore area
- Bunches of Lunches
- “First Mondays” with Religious School committing to packing 150 bagged lunches the Sunday before these collection
- Need 3-6 volunteers for each Monday, with back up support of volunteers from Jewish Volunteer Connection
- Community Produce Distribution - "Collaborating with Care"
- Monthly drives (usually 3rd or 4th Sunday of the month, check schedule for specific dates)
- Distributing bags of farm-fresh produce to those in need!
- HSOSC volunteers are needed to staff this event
- Donations can be made to the HSOSC TOPAZ Fund
- Ronald McDonald House
- Every other month program to host a meal at Ronald McDonald House following Covid guidelines
- This initiative is supported through the Schlenger/Pyser Fund
- We welcome families and/or groups to adopt a meal or make donations to the HSOSC Ronald McDonald House fund under TOPAZ
Protecting Our Environment:
This facet includes programs addressing environmental sustainability
- Community Garden with Ohr Chadash
- Beginning planning stages – likely 5 year project
- Adopt A Highway on Brooks Robinson Drive
- SUNDAYS - April 24, June 26, August 15, October 16 at 9:00 a.m.
- Sign needs to be changed once temple name is finalized.
- We welcome HSOSC committees and families to Adopt a cleanup!
- Recycling and E-cyling
- Bins for recycling at events
- E-cycling of Computers and other items
Promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
This facet includes programs and activities impacting equality, inclusion, voting rights and outreach.
- Voter’s Rights for All
- We are beginning to partner with other Reform Congregations to support this movement in Maryland through lobbying efforts with Reform Action Coalition (RAC)
- Consider outreach to Women’s Club and Brotherhood as partners
- May consider a postcard writing day for other states if appropriate
- Dignity Plus Project with Women’s Club
- Women’s Seder: Dignity Plus is part of the Women’s Seder Tikkun Olam education and collection
- Follow up of showing the documentary, having a packing party etc.
- Keeping products available in all appropriate restrooms
- CASTE - Book Discussion and Education along with Bagels and Books
- Need an initial date with breakout groups and further meetings.
- Needs to be in person for this type of community building to be successful
- Signage around Building to be discussed
- Gender Neutral Bathrooms (Lounge bathroom) -completed
- Women’s/Men’s bathrooms to indicate if handicapped accessible; have changing tables etc.
- Signage that supports our LGBTQ plus community; our interfaith families, etc.
CONNECTING COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Looking for more opportunities? Connect with these community partners supported and loved by our members!
Click the links below for more information.
- Jewish Volunteer Connection
- Henderson-Hopkins Partnership School - Friday Food Delivery
- Center for Urban Families (CFUF) GED Tutoring Program
- Thread
Please email Sheryl Jacobs or Mina Wender if you do volunteer - we want to be able to thank you and hear about your experience.
Get Involved!
Contact Sheryl Jacobs (sherylrjacobs@gmail.com) or Mina Wender (minawender50@gmail.com)
