PANIM EL PANIM AND MARIN ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Panim el Panim (face to face) has actively worked on building relationships between Kol Shofar members, between members of Kol Shofar and other MOC (Marin Organizing Committee) organizations, and with state and county public officials.
“And on that day the great Shofar will be sounded.” The shofar is at once a reminder of the dream, and a charge to go and make it real. Don’t wait for a miracle—it is we who must make history happen.
Looking for a way to directly affect your community in a positive way? Sign up for a CERT workshop and become part of Marin County’s citizens’ group of emergency response team members and help Marin become more self-sufficient. With the high cost of living in Marin, it precludes many of our first responders and health care workers from living in the county. Click here for more information on how to sign up.
Kol Shofar is proud to partner with Marin Interfaith Council (MIC)
Marin Interfaith Council brings religious leaders and members of various faith communities together for study and celebration throughout the year. Participants experience one another’s prayers, meditations and music. MIC believes in advocating Justice and community building. For more information about events and programs go to www.marinifc.org or call (415) 456-6957
GET INVOLVED — KOL SHOFAR KIDDUSH NEEDS YOU!
To learn more about how you can help, see our Kiddush page.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Jewish Family and Children’s Services Thanks Kol Shofar for High Holy Day contributions Read letter
Homeless Neighbors Barrel Drive December, 2012–March, 2013 Bring by items to Kol Shofar and we will deliver them to Ritter House, St. Vincent De Paul and Homeward Bound. The following items are desperately needed. TEEN ITEMS: Gift cards (Safeway, Target, Old Navy), portable CD players, CDs, movie gift certificates, scooters, bikes & helmets, hooded sweatshirts, books, art supplies, hair ornaments, jewelry, make up, lotion, shoes INFANT ITEMS: Diapers, formula, clothes, bottles, baby wipes, blankets SURVIVAL ITEMS: Sleeping bags, ponchos, socks, soap, shampoo, gloves, hats
Check out our amazing Kol Shofar Tikkun Olam programs we have completed this summer. Never too late to get involved!
On August 5, 2012 Kol Shofar volunteered at the Homeward Bound Family Emergency Shelter. We helped remodel one of the rooms, led activities with the resident children and shared a wonderful BBQ lunch with the community. Check us out hard at work!
Home for the Aged On July 15th, 18 Kol Shofar members showed off their talents and spent time visiting at the Jewish Home for the Aged in San Francisco. We wowed the captive audience with numbers from our Purim Spiel, piano solos by our teens, show tunes from our Senior Rabbi and Tracy Harding and Israeli dancing and singing from Ami, Abby and Sarah. The cookies baked by our Baking Chavurah were also a big hit. We hope you’ll join us the next time we go!
AND WATCH THE VIDEOS!
On June 21st, 26 Kol Shofar members came together to work a shift at the Marin Community Food Bank.
We sorted through bags of donations and organized items into categories, bagged up fresh fruit and vegetables and then packed up boxes for recipients. We helped sort and organize over 1200 pounds of food in only two hours and learned about what a difference our two hours of time can make. Anyone can volunteer at the Food Bank, simply go to their volunteer sign up page and pick a shift http://marinfoodbank.org/volunteer.html
HELP FEED THE HOMELESS – MILL STREET SHELTER A group of Kol Shofar members provides a meal for the residents of the Mill Street homeless shelter once a month. We rotate our shifts so that each food provider delivers food to the shelter only once every two months. We are in need of another KS member to help out. If you’re interested in this wonderful mitzvah project please contact Anne Zishka through the Kol Shofar directory or through the Kol Shofar office. Thank you!
January, 2012 Hagar- Thank you so much for the opportunity to serve the meal on Sunday night. I found it to be a powerful, humbling and perspective-building experience. For me, I know that we are very fortunate to have shelter and food, but it is often hard to remember/appreciate that fact. Also, I feel like I want to “help others” and yet I rarely have a hands-on way to do so beyond maybe mailing an annual check to a jewish organization or two. Your program allowed Sonia and I to help out a bit, and also provided us with priceless value in terms of gaining some life perspective and compassion. I can’t thank you enough for providing us with that opportunity and for the chance to have a look outside of our little bubble. Even though I found it challenging (heartbreaking) emotionally to absorb the acute need of these folks, I would hope that I will grow from the experience and that I will have the moxie to do it again and by doing so maybe I can become a more compassionate and giving human being. Kudos to you for actually providing a specific and attainable way for all of us to engage in gemilut chasadim. You have made us into better people. Thank you. Regards, Eric (and Sonia)
Homeward Bound Community Service Days
January 31, 2010 Hi All, I want to thank each of you from Homeward Bound for your dedication, hard work and open attitudes to working hard despite the small space and other limitations. I was very moved by the spirit of the day and especially the overwhelmingly generous gifts you as a group provided. The families we serve are in crisis when they come through our Emergency Family shelter and the simple gesture of cleaning, painting, and furnishing the rooms they live in reminds them that the community cares about their best interests and wants to support them. Thank you for your generosity and hard work as well as for the chance to get to know each of you. I learn so much from the volunteers I meet and work with and this group left me feeling energized for all the future projects I hope to plan at the Family Emergency Center! So thank you all and I hope to be in touch with you in the near future.
I am writing to express deep thanks and appreciation to Jo and Phil, who managed to carry out a transformation of two rooms at the family emergency shelter in a very short time with far too many volunteers for the space. The two of you were incredible in having a vision and making it happen step by step — with on the spot problem solving at every turn. It was a great experience for everyone who participated. Thanks to Dominique, Mark and Hagar as well and to everyone who contributed room furnishings, fixtures, bedding, appliances, etc. and who volunteered their time. It could not have been done without the experience and skill of Phil and Jo — who were a great team. The rooms looked wonderful — well, the one room where we did the complete makeover did and the other one looked much brighter and cleaner.
THANK YOU!!! Liz Arnold, Westminster Church Volunteer coordinator
The event went very well. We had plenty of volunteers and actually finished early. Phil Walters was a complete stud (and even stud finder on one occasion). Both the cooperation and the outcome were quite impressive and rewarding to all you volunteered. I am sure the residents at HB are most appreciative.
