Mitzvah Moments
Connecting community through service and action
Rodef Sholom's Mitzvah Moments initiative continues the work of fostering a community of chesed (lovingkindness) and connection, through opportunities for all to make an impact in our world. We are meeting the moment we are in, and creating a range of opportunities for action, advocacy, and volunteering throughout the year. We invite all in our community to participate in any of the actions that speak to you, or to create your own meaningful ways of engaging with tikkun olam (repairing our world).
Every year in October, our community comes together for Mitzvah Day, an incredible day of tikkun olam and connection! For Mitzvah Day 2023, 300+ individuals of all ages came together throughout Marin and virtually to complete service projects. Stay tuned for details around Mitzvah Day 2025!
Learn more about Mitzvah Day
Mitzvah Moments Ongoing Opportunities:
Knitted Knockers Project
Let's turn our knitting and crocheting skills into a Mitzvah! Join this is a fun and rewarding project making “Knitted Knockers” prostheses for post-mastectomy women. (They are softer and much more comfortable than conventional prostheses.) More information is available on the website knittedknockers.org. Specialty yarn and patters will be provided. We can jump on a zoom or meet in person and look at samples and answer quewtions. The patterns require some experience knitting. Interested? contact congregant Judy Levinson - jlevin2doc@yahoo.com.
Religious School Collection: Tikvah (Hope) for the Holidays
Help us reach our tzedakah goal of 75 Thanksgiving meal kits for Marin families in need. In partnership with Ritter Center.
Donations can be brought to the bins in our Justice Center (Rodef Sholom Lobby)
- List of Needs: Gravy mix or canned gravy; Box of cornbread or dinner roll mix; Dessert item (e.g., cake or pie mix); Can of cranberry sauce or canned vegetables (e.g., green beans, corn); Box of stuffing mix
- Or donate to the meal kit fund: Venmo our Sunday School parent coordinator: @Angela-Fleekop (last 4 digits 5586) OR write a check payable to “Congregation Rodef Sholom” (note “Tikvah for the Holidays”) and drop it off to Gabe in the Rodef Sholom office.
Sha'arei Shalom Cemetery Beautifying Project - perfect for age 5 and older
Location: Mt. Tam Cemetery
Join project leader David Sheson for this heartfelt volunteer opportunity at Sha'arei Shalom Cemetery in San Rafael. Volunteers are needed to help clean up and beautify this holy place for our community.
Marin Community Fridge - After four years of supporting food insecurity in our Santa Venetia neighborhood, our community fridge program is coming to an end. We are grateful for the partnership with our Santa Venetia community, which made this incredible program possible. Going forward, we will explore new opportunities to effectively assist those in our community who are food insecure.
Volunteer to Support our CSA program - Opportunities weekly
Help support our Community Supported Agriculture program and connect with congregants on Shabbat mornings from 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Volunteers' tasks include distributing farm boxes during pick-up at the temple, and delivering produce boxes to congregants' homes in Marin. To volunteer or to learn more about Rodef Sholom's CSA program, contact Kris Malone Grossman at krismalonegrossman@gmail.
To order your own CSA box, click here.
Donate Your Extra Produce to Combat Food Insecurity
Do you have a fruit tree or vegetable garden that produces more than you can eat? Share the Bounty makes it easy to donate your homegrown produce to people facing hunger. Request a pick-up from your home or have our volunteers come help you harvest!
More information
PROVIDE MEALS TO THOSE IN NEED - perfect for all ages - monthly opportunities
Bag Lunches for St. Vincent De Paul Dining Room
St. Vincent De Paul is feeding more Marin County residents than ever. Join our monthly project and make 5 - 10 bag lunches at home to supplement their services. Bag lunches are to be delivered to Project Leader Lisa Levin.
Sign up to make bag lunches
Monthly Dinners at Jonathan's Place Adult Shelter - 16 & older- monthly opportunities
Congregation Rodef Sholom is proud to support residents of Jonathan's Place (formally Mill Street Shelter) by providing dinner once a month on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Due to new rules from the Health Department, this food may no longer be cooked at your home. We are also looking for a few volunteers (over 16) who will help in the Jonathan's Place kitchen and they will receive the food, prepare the dinner, serve it and help to clean up. Click here for more information and to sign up.
Mitzvah Kitchen Meal and Challah Delivery - for all ages - weekly opportunities
Volunteers needed to deliver challahs and meals to congregants who are celebrating, in mourning or recovering from illness. These meals and challahs are delivered on Thursdays and Fridays. To join our team of drivers and bring some joy to our community, contact Laurie Kimball, Administrative Assistant.
Shabbat Greeters - for those 13 and over - weekly opportunities
Volunteers are needed for Shabbat Services on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. Shabbat Greeters will welcome our guests and provide direction. Services take place at Rodef Sholom's Sanctuary. Sign Up HERE for this unique opportunity to get to know your Rodef Sholom community in a relaxed and fun way.
Intergenerational Connections
A new project that creates new bonds between community members
Connecting Congregants — For all ages — Ongoing Opportunities
We recognize that many of us living in Marin do not have extended family around. Sign up to be matched with each other for intergenerational friendship, support, sharing, and fun.
Help New Parents - for volunteers over 21 - ongoing opportunities
Do you miss being with babies and toddlers? Volunteer to help a congregant with little ones who might need a few hours of help once in a while.
Email Moji Javid, Director of Community Engagement to get involved.
Babies, Blankets and Blessings! - perfect for knitters of all ages - ongoing opportunities
Calling knitters of all ages ! Knit blankets at home that are gifted to families with new babies in our community. Email Marci Dollinger to get started.
Moreh Derech ~ New Member Welcome Team - for adult volunteers - ongoing opportunities
Rodef Sholom prides itself on being a warm and welcoming community. This team helps to welcome and support new congregants through their first year with our community. We do this through phone calls, emails and invitations for them to joins us at Rodef Sholom services and events. Email Moji Javid to become part of the welcoming committee.
Religious School Volunteer - for parents and grandparents - ongoing opportunities
Our Religious School community is always made stronger by parent and grandparent participation. Let us know if you would like to step in and help with greeting on Sunday mornings, being a room parent and much more. Email Aviva Lev-David, Religious School Director, for information and to participate.
REBAR -Rodef Enterprise for Building And Restoration - For volunteers 21 and over - as needed
Calling all contractors, electricians and those who are handy around the house. This project matches volunteers with congregants who need a "hand" with small jobs in their home. Like installing ADA-compliant doors or ramps for the disabled, installing smoke/CO detectors, minor plumbing, door repair or replacement, exterior downspout work, cleanup jobs, etc. To join our REBAR Team, contact Moji Javid.
Rodef Sholom Habitat for Humanity Team - for volunteers 17 and over - as needed
We have a longstanding relationship with Habitat for Humanity and have been involved in builds in Novato, San Francisco and the East Bay. Join this team to help build homes and make people's dreams of home ownership become a reality. To join this team, contact Moji Javid.
In the Bin
Throughout the year, we collect different items needed in the community. Start a new routine: bring something for the bin with you every time you come to Rodef Sholom! The food bins are out all year, and non-perishable goods are always welcome donations. Click here for what we're collecting on a monthly basis.
For EVEN MORE VOLUNTEER opportunities with our Community Partners, click HERE.
