For many years significant social, cultural, educational and economic gaps have existed among different elements of the Mevasseret Zion population, typically characterized by their participation in different aspects of community life, by the groups with whom they identify, and by the neighborhoods in which they live. Kehilat Mevasseret Zion has adopted the objective of confronting this reality by strengthening the ties between its membership and other groups in the community, by emphasizing the Jewish value of mitzvot by one person to another and through mutual equality and responsibility for the welfare of the community as a whole.
Objectives of the Program
- Establishing a community that practices the values of equality, mutual responsibility and concern for our fellow man.
- Encouraging members of needy groups to participate in achieving goals set by themselves.
- Strengthening the social infrastructure of Mevasseret Zion through forces already present in the community.
- Imparting the unique and universal values of the Kamaz congregation into the daily agenda of the town.
The Program's Activities
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(Lechem Emet) True bread Collection of 30-40 food packages for needy families, before Passover and before the High Holidays. This program has continued for a number of years with the financial and spiritual support of the B'kevod (With Honor and Respect) Fund of the Movement for Progressive Judaism. The Kamaz congregation has become a major source of supplementary food packages for the needy in Mevasseret Zion, which are then distributed by the Yad b'Yad (Hand to Hand) organization according to lists maintained by the welfare department of Mevasseret Zion.
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School equipment and books Distribution of school equipment and books to needy families, including immigrants in the local Absorption Center. The equipment is purchased with donations from members of the congregation, while the books are collected from congregation members.
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Cham Cham (Warm and warmer) Distribution of heaters and blankets to the needy elderly during the winter, with the aid of the B'kevod (With Honor and Respect) Fund of the Movement for Progressive Judaism.
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Subsidizing needy children in summer day camps Since 1994 congregation members have been volunteering time towards running the summer camp operated by the town of Mevasseret Zion, thereby enabling it to subsidize the participation of needy children in the camp.
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The Aroma of Shabbat
Youths in the congregation writing a book based on stories and memories from the elderly population of the town, and thereby developing a connection between the generations among us. In doing so, the self-image of the elderly has improved, which has enabled them and others to better appreciate their past contribution to society and to relate to each other in a more meaningful way. We intend to produce one book every year, by relating the story behind our heritage.
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Beautifying the Elderly's Mouth
Assistance to the elderly for tooth and gum restoration in Mevasseret Zion's Community Center. Dentists who are members of the congregation will volunteer time for diagnosis of dental problems. So far this program has not yet started.
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Hand in Hand
Hand-in-hand is a group formed to give support to people who are sick or lonely or have just given birth etc. This committee offers various forms of help, such as weekly visits, phone-calls, help with shopping etc. Looking after the patient at home and logistic help in order to give some relief to the family.
This committee was formed as a result of three members of the community participating in a course organized by the Center for Jewish Pluralism of the Movement for Progressive Judaism.
The initiators of this program are Rina and Yigal Rafaeli and Ayelet Heiman. Anyone interested in participating in this project (each participant can decide how much of his time he wishes to volunteer)
Please contact the office. -
Bank of Time
Volunteering time based on the principle of mutual giving and receiving.
Each person donates a number of hours per month of his time according to his abilities and what he can contribute to others, after which he is entitled to receive an equivalent amount of time that that will be donated by another. This program is managed by the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the Union Local Community Centers, and the local Department of Welfare in Mevasseret Zion.
Link to Time Bank site (Hebrew)
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