Social Action

The Social Action Committee (SAC) works to provide BJC members with varied opportunities to perform acts of tzedakah, so that all of us can be participants in activities that improve our community and that further the goal of Tikkun Olam ("repairing the world"). The SAC helps to foster BJC's long-standing relationships with the National Center for Children and Families, Thrive DC (formerly the Dinner Program for Homeless Women), the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless, and The Friends Club (which provides support to men with Alzheimer's disease and their families) by regularly providing volunteer and financial support for programs provided by these important organizations. Volunteer activities recently sponsored by the SAC include:

• Community-wide blood drive in conjunction with the American Red Cross
• Sandwich-making and food collection for Martha's Table/McKenna's Wagon
• Thanksgiving Basket preparation for residents of NCCF and the Anacostia Children's Center
• Grounds cleaning and planting at the National Center for Children and Families
• High Holiday food collection for the Manna Food Center
• Mini-walk in support of the Fannie Mae Walk for the Homeless
• Grounds cleaning and planting at The Dennis Avenue Health Center
• Regular dinner preparation and service for homeless clients at Thrive DC
• Educational and awareness-raising programs in support of the people of Darfur
• Regular food collection ("Gleanings Project") for the Bethesda Help food pantry
• Furniture and household appliance collection for clients at A Wider Circle
• Builds w/ Habitat for Humanity (along with BHPC)
• Annual missions to the Jewish Communities in Cuba

The SAC is always looking for new ways to engage with our community and the world, so please let us know if you have ideas for additional projects. We also welcome your involvement in any of our volunteer projects. For more information, please contact Martin Ganzglass at mrganzglass@gmail.com.