This was the twelfth annual Mitzvah Day!

A volunteer opportunity for all ages

Volunteer for Mitzvah Day.
Do good. Feel good. Satisfaction guaranteed.

Please contact Alice Blass at aliceb@ujannj.org for any questions.

1 Sunny Sunday in November…

…1,500 people did good deeds
…at 40 different sites

Our 11th annual Mitzvah Day took place on Sunday, November 2, 2008 and it was an incredible example of community building at its best.

There were opportunities to spend time with seniors, share the day with people with special needs, work outdoors, or participate in social action projects to benefit Israel and the local community. Seven choirs from local Hebrew schools including a dance troupe performed at nursing homes. Day schools (elementary and high school) visited local hospitals, nursing homes, and outdoor sites. And, a group from the Wanaque retirement community who recently started a new ORT America chapter volunteered at Daughters of Miriam.

There were numerous drives to benefit our own community and collections to be sent to Israel.  For a complete list or for more information on Mitzvah Day please contact Alice Blass at aliceb@ujannj.org.

Online registration for Mitzvah Day is currently closed.

Please join us at any of the following sites on Mitzvah Day, Sunday, November 1st, and fill out at walk-in registration form:
 
Englewood Hospital – 10 am – 12 pm - Make small gifts to cheer up the patients. Suitable for ages 4+.
 
Laurel Hill County Park, Secaucus - 10 am - 12 pm. Help secure the Hackensack Riverkeeper's Paddling Center for the winter. 30 boats need to be rinsed out, tied down, and secured.  Their equipment, which includes paddles, lifejackets and more needs to be stored safely for the winter. Volunteers will be working with and moving 17-foot aluminum canoes; and 16 and 13-foot molded kayaks.  Best suited for older (and strong) teens and adults.
 
Teaneck Creek Conservancy – 10 am – 12 pm or 1 pm – 3 pm. Volunteers will put chips down on the trails and clean up the Creek.  Other activities will be determined based on the needs of the Conservancy at that time.
 
Mitzvah Fair for Families, Solomon Schechter Day School, New Milford - 1 pm – 3 pm – Join in an afternoon of many volunteer projects for those in need including residents of local institutions and communities in Israel. Adults must accompany children. Try your hand at quilting with the Pomegranate Guild of North Jersey, also at this location.

Mitzvot in Action, Gerrard Berman Day School, Oakland – 1 pm – 3 pm - Participate in numerous projects to benefit the local community; make a gift for recipients of Kosher Meals on Wheels; pack
lunches for the homeless, and more.
 
Jewish Home at Rockleigh - 10 am - 11:30 am (Check-in at 9:45) - Spend time with seniors; pick one activity you would like to do with them: bowling, sing-a-long, simple games, or room-to-room visits with the game cart or book cart.
 
Holy Name Hospital - 11 am - 1 pm. Make small gifts for the patients and deliver them to the floors. (ages 12+). Please enter through the Regional Cancer Center on Vandelinda Avenue.
 
Jewish Home at Rockleigh - 2 pm - 3 pm (check-in at 1:45) Assist with transport for a concert to be given by the Congregation Beth Sholom Russian choir. 

Happy Volunteering!

To learn about ongoing volunteer opportunities throughout the year,
contact us at 201-820-3948, aliceb@ujannj.org.

We appreciate the generosity of our corporate sponsors. Thank you to our Silver Sponsor – Northern Valley Affairs at Temple Emanu-El in Closter.

Mitzvah Day Chair:
Sari Gross

Mitzvah Day Staff:
Joy Kurland
Director - Jewish Community Relations Council
Sharon Rifkind
Associate Director - JCRC
Alice Blass
Mitzvah Day Coordinator
Natalya Taleysnik
Administrative Assistant

We appreciate the generosity of our Mitzvah Day Corporate Sponsors.

Holy Name Hospital
Northern Valley Affairs  at Temple Emanu-el, Closter

Ma'adan ~ Main Event Caterers ~ Teaneck Dentist

Benzel-Busch Motor Car Corp. ~ Care Alternative Hospice ~ Glen Rock Jewish Center ~ Hedy Braverman Memorial Fund ~ Jewish Center of  Teaneck ~ Shoprite of Rochelle Park, Paramus & Englewood ~ Temple Sholom

Jewish Center of Paramus ~ National Council of Jewish Women - Jersey Hills Section

Shomrei Torah ~ Temple Beth El of Northern Valley ~ Temple Emanuel of Pascack Valley

Altschul Family ~  Bruce Prince ~ Dougies BBQ ~ Fair Lawn Jewish Center / Congregation B'nai Israel ~ Floor & Décor ~ Jewish Congregation of Kinnelon ~ Nayowitz Family ~ PIP Printing of Paramus ~ Pomegranate Guild of North Jersey  ~ Teaneck Shell ~ Temple Beth Sholom of Pascack Valley ~ Temple Emanuel of North Jersey ~ Temple Israel & Jewish Community Center ~ The Cleaning Authority

Lauri & Jeff Bader ~ Simona & Jason Snyder ~ Hadassah - Teaneck/Hackensack Chapter ~ Melinda Maidens

Mitzvah Day is coordinated by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) in conjunction with other community agencies and institutions.