Tikkun Olam

High Holiday Collection

Every year, our congregation shows its generosity to our community through its High Holiday collection. This year, we will be collecting items for both Jewish and other community organizations. Please use this opportunity to Marie Kondo (i.e. clear out some of your extras) your cupboards and closets and add a few items to your next grocery order.

Here is what we’ll be collecting:

  • Non-perishable Food for the JCFS (Jewish Child and Family Service) food pantry
  • Gently used warm clothes and shoes/boots for Main Street Project
  • Toiletries for Deer Lodge Seniors who have no one to shop for them
  • Gently used linens (sheets and blankets) for “Sleep in Heavenly Peace” who build beds for children without them
  • Small, gently used household items (dishes, pots and pans, etc) for the Yazidi community.

The Lunch Project

Each month, a group of volunteers pack lunches for Main Street Project. Typically, 110-120 lunches are made with sandwiches, veggies, fruit, cookies or muffins and granola bars. In the warm summer months, bottles of water are donated, as well.

Some volunteers make the sandwiches, some bake, others bring the various veggies which the packing volunteers put in baggies and some donate money to our Social Action fund, which allows for the purchase the various supplies we need. This project is one of the Temple’s tikkun olam initiatives that helps fulfill the commandment to feed the hungry.

Our next time meeting is Sunday, September 15th at 12:00 pm. To assist in any way, please email Ruth Livingston.


Healing Heart Garden

It is our obligation and responsibility as Jews, as Canadians, and as human beings sharing a society with Indigenous Peoples to participate in the process of Truth and Reconciliation. Judaism emphasizes a
behavior-based lifestyle. Our sages taught us to value conduct before conviction. We should do, even
before we completely understand.

Temple Shalom has begun a process to respond to the 94 Calls to Action as articulated by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. To begin the building of a relationship with the Indigenous Community, volunteers plant a “Healing Heart Garden” in front of the building under the tutelage of a master gardener. This space grows medicinal plants that are important to Indigenous societies, as well as food that is donated to an organization helping those with food insecurity. Volunteers work from spring to fall, planting, watering, and eventually harvesting before gathering for a summative Sukkot event.

Volunteer Pallbearers

The community has an acute need for volunteer pallbearers. A community list of volunteer pallbearers is shared by Etz Chayim, Shaarey Zedek and Chesed.   As seasoned pallbearers retire they are not being replaced by new volunteers. Increasingly we are seeing instances where there is no extended family, or no Jewish family who are able to serve as pallbearers. 

People can contact Rena Boroditsky directly at 204-582-5088 with any questions.