Our dedicated volunteers create a warm environment in which Mishkan Or members truly care for one another. Opportunities for meaningful multigenerational connections strengthen our bonds to each other, to our synagogue, and to the larger community. There are so many ways to get involved! If you are interested in participating in our Caring Community, please reach out to Wendy Jacobson at wjacobson@mishkanor.org for more information.
Help Students at the International Newcomers Academy
This K-12 school educates immigrants from all over the world. We will collect gift cards from Target and Walmart that the teachers will use throughout the year to help families who are struggling with food insecurity, school supplies, and emergency situations. In addition to bringing gift cards to Mishkan Or’s reception desk, you can make monetary donations we will use to purchase gift cards. To make a donation, CLICK HERE to help support this important program. Thank you.
NEW – Let’s show our gratitude to the people who work to keep our communities safe! Volunteers can sign up to bake cookies for police and fire fighters, make deliveries just before Christmas, or both bake and deliver. To participate, please contact Nanci Stein and Ruth Dombcik at nancistein@gmail.com and ruthdombcik@gmail.com.
SHOES AND CLOTHES FOR KIDS
Tuesday, December 2, 10:00 am-12 pm
This great organization provides new shoes, clothes, and school supplies for kids in need. Volunteers sort donated items and get them ready to distribute to kids who can then concentrate on learning. To RSVP, contact Amy Nadler at aimthepain7@aol.com.
KOSHER FOOD PANTRY
Sunday, December 14 at 9:30 am
The Kosher Food Pantry, a partner of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, provides fresh, kosher food to Jews and non-Jews experiencing food insecurity. Volunteers sort and pack food for distribution. To RSVP, contact Carol Marshall at nknewmansion@aol.com
MACE ISLAMIC FOOD PANTRY
Thursday, December 18, 2:00-4:00 pm
Our members enjoy helping our Muslim neighbors distribute food from the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. Volunteers set up the food and pack bags for distribution.
To RSVP, contact Debby Kastner at dwkastner@gmail.com or Nate Jacobson at njacobson248@gmail.com.
FOOD DRIVE for LATINO COMMUNITY
Monday, December 8-Monday, December 15
Latinos in Cleveland’s communities are being targeted for the crime of being Latino. Many are afraid to leave their homes to go to work, and are even afraid to go to food pantries because they are now being asked for ID. The climate of fear created by intimidation and threats is taking its toll on the members and clergy of Latino churches. The situation has been further exacerbated by the curtailing of SNAP benefits, making the need for food dire and urgent.
Congregation Mishkan Or’s Interfaith Group Against Hate (IGAH) is sponsoring a food drive for this community. Please donate only items from this list: Bring these items to the collection bin near Mishkan Or’s reception desk or donate Walmart gift cards that can be used to purchase these items. Contact Wendy at wjacobson@mishkanor.org with questions. Thank you for your generosity!
Grains and Legumes
-White rice
-Beans-Canned or Bagged
-Masa/harina (corn flour) or farina
Canned Goods
-Tomato Sauce or Paste
-Canned corn, Pigeon peas
-Canned tuna or chicken
-Canned Armour Chicken Vienna Sausage
-Chicken Broth
-Nido Fortificada Dry Whole Milk Powder with Vitamins A, C, D, Iron and Calcium*
Cooking Essentials
-Vegetable or Canola Oil
Spices/seasoning
-Adobo seasoning
-Sazon packets
-Instant coffee
-Klass Aguas Frescas Horchata with vitamin C, multiserve, powdered drink mix*
-Klass Aguas Frescas Hibiscus with vitamin C, multiserve, powdered drink mix*
–Abuelita hot chocolate*
* are available at Walmart
Misc.
Feminine hygiene products, Baby wipes, Diapers, sizes 4,5,6 & 7
OTHER WAYS TO SUPPORT CARING COMMUNITIES:
Could you make deliveries? We always need volunteers to make deliveries! Delivery times are flexible according to your schedule.
Could you make phone calls? Members who are 80 or older, and members who have been married for 50 years or longer, receive calls with birthday or anniversary wishes. Volunteers typically make about five calls each month. Volunteers may also be asked to make calls for occasional special projects.
Could you write notes? Our Correspondence Committee volunteers handwrite a note to temple members who have lost a loved one, are recovering from illness, or are celebrating a happy occasion. Each volunteer usually writes one note per month and is given a suggested message for each note.
Do you like to bake? Volunteers of all ages gather to bake dozens of cookies that are arranged into cookie boxes. These boxes are delivered during shiva to congregants who have lost a loved one.
Would you like to make sure our “Super Seniors” feel cared for by their congregation? Our Senior Connections Committee plans and implements programs to keep our older members close. The Senior Luncheon, Drop-In Cafe, and other initiatives let our seniors know how much we value them.
Would you like to honor our Jewish veterans? Volunteers gather at Mayfield Cemetery on the Sunday morning of Memorial Day Weekend to place hundreds of flags on the graves of veterans buried there. All ages are welcome to participate in this mitzvah of remembrance.
Could you donate to those less fortunate? Our generous congregation conducts collections for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, the Homeless Stand Down, and other needs that arise throughout the year.
Did you know that since July, 2024, when Mishkan Or was founded:
Would you like to make a difference in the larger community? Mishkan Or volunteers give hands-on help to organizations in Greater Cleveland such as:
CARING FOR OUR EARTH BY COMPOSTING
Congregation Mishkan Or shares a concern that so many of us have – concern for our environment. We’re proud to launch a new initiative to more fully live our Jewish values of being Shomrei Adamah, Guardians of the Earth. Specifically, we will begin composting our organization’s food scraps in partnership with Rust Belt Riders, whose mission is to “feed people, not landfills.” Since 2014, this organization has been working with people and organizations in Northeast Ohio to provide an alternative to landfills for their food scraps. We are beginning to make some changes to help us manage food waste at Mishkan Or:
Additional Receptacles and Signage
Trash and compost receptacles will be clearly marked and placed near the Oneg tables. Our Oneg pastry trays will no longer include items individually wrapped in paper to eliminate further landfill waste.
Compostable Paper Products
All disposable paper products, cups, and utensils are fully compostable at our onegs, as long as they are placed in our labeled compost bin – sadly, compostable products disposed in trash bins are heading to a landfill.
Household Service
The partnership we are beginning will start to address the waste we create as an organization. While we are not able to accept individual congregant’s compost, you can arrange to have compost pick up at your home in some communities, or by using community drop off locations via Rust Belt Riders.
Recycling Batteries
Congregation Mishkan Or offers a drop-off for used batteries that will be recycled. You can drop off used household batteries at our front desk during office hours. Cl