August Services - Shir Tikvah

8
The Backpack
Project
For many years, Shir Tikvah
congregants have supported the
children of “Families Together,” a St.
Paul preschool for children living in
high-risk situations and in poverty.
We are provided with the names
and photos of the children who will
be entering kindergarten in the fall,
along with a list of needed school
supplies and clothing (with their size
and favorite color).
Our families fill
a new backpack
with a variety of
items from the
list. They are then
dropped off at
Shir Tikvah office by mid-August.
I have been coordinating this program
at Shir Tikvah for a number of years.
I have heard from the organization
that the backpacks symbolize the
excitement of upcoming changes as
well as provide very practical support
to families who have very little
capacity to provide these supplies to
their children. Shir Tivkah’s ongoing
community support is greatly
appreciated by the Families Together
staff and families.
To find out more about the program
and how you can be a sponsor,
contact me at jbrook@usfamily.net.
Judith Brook
To become a
sponsor, email
jbrook@
usfamily.net.
Caring and Accessibility
If you have had an illness, would
like a visitor, need a ride to
services, or would like to join
a chavurah, go to http://www.
shirtikvah.net/CaringCommunity
on the Shir Tikvah website.
You will also find information on
assistance or accommodations
at Shir Tikvah, or can call the
office at (612) 822-1440.
July’s Town Hall Meeting to Organize
Against the Marriage Amendment
Rabbis Latz and Simon, and Rabbis Saks and Zimmerman from Temple Israel, lead the
community in Havdalah at the state Capitol on May 21.
Seventy-five members of Shir Tikvah demonstrated their strength
and commitment to justice and equality by attending the “Organize
against the Amendment” meeting on June 22. Rabbi Latz opened
the gathering with a prayer and a call to work against enshrining discrimination
into the state Constitution.
Speakers included Linda Alter, who shared her experiences on the power
of telling personal stories; Beth Zemsky, who spoke about the importance
of coalition-building; and Rabbi
Simon, who conveyed the importance
of marriage equality on a
national level.
Monica Myers and Javen Swanson
of Outfront Minnesota discussed the work of Minnesotans United for All
Families, a broad coalition of faith organizations, businesses, communities
of color, progressive organizations, nonpartisan organizations, organized
labor, leaders, current and former elected officials, Republicans, Democrats,
and Green and Independence Party members.
The meeting concluded with a social justice version of “Eliyahu Hanavi,”
led by Wendy Goldberg.
Future steps in fighting the marriage ban will be outlined in the e-newsletter.
There will be speaker trainings, speaking engagements coordinated
with other groups, videotaping of stories, and succinct talking points for
use when visiting with friends, family, or groups.
To be added to the email list of those interested in this working group,
please contact me at alterhomes@mindspring.com. To lend your financial
support, contribute to Shir Tikvah and designate “Minnesotans United for
All Families” in the memo section of your check.
Linda Alter
To be added to the list of those
interested in this group, email
alterhomes@mindspring.com