MISSION STATEMENT
To reach out to the community and assist those in need as we seek to fulfill the call to social action expressed by the prophet Isaiah in Chapter 58:
“Share your bread with the hungry and…clothe the naked…”
MITZVAH DAY
27th Annual Mitzvah Day
May 5 2024!
Isaiah 58 History
The Isaiah 58 Social Action Committee at Temple Beth David –
A History
What is Isaiah 58?
Isaiah 58 is Temple Beth David’s Social Action Committee. Its name was chosen by Rabbi Leonard Troupp z”l, who issued an appeal to the congregation in the fall of 1996 during a High Holiday sermon. His thought was that a congregation of this size should give back to the community in an organized, substantial and consistent way. The group of people who responded a few days later agreed with him and were more than willing to devote their time and efforts to ensure that it actually happened.
Over the years, the Isaiah 58 Committee has had a significant impact on the lives of those in need. We started many projects and, although their leadership may have changed over the years, the projects have continued. It seems that they have a life of their own. And, as new people have joined us, their ideas have also become projects.
Current ongoing projects include:
The Sharon Glasser PB&J Project is named after Sharon, who started it and made it the popular and successful project it remains today. The committee meets once a month throughout the year and makes 300 sandwiches each time. In May, during Mitzvah Day, they make 500 to 1000. The sandwiches are given to the Hospitality Too organization at St. Anne’s Church where they are then distributed throughout Long Island and New York to help families in need. In addition to the sandwiches, we provide juice, applesauce, or fruit to make a nutritionally complete meal.
Thanksgiving and Passover Food Collection/Distribution Projects help to provide holiday food for families who are unable to afford it. We ask the congregation and the Religious School to bring in food and, then, if it is not sufficient, we purchase whatever is necessary to ensure that families can celebrate properly.
Hat Looming Project meets monthly to create hand-made hats and scarves which are donated to the Dolan Family Health Center in Huntington Station.
Bags of Fun Project packages small toys with pieces of candy and a note from Isaiah to be given to children who go to soup kitchens and food pantries with their parents. We make 125 bags each time and give them to LI Cares for distribution.
Food Pantry Project is where most of our funds go. We purchase and deliver food each month to various food pantries in the area. The food you bring to the bin in the temple foyer helps families in need all over Long Island.
Mitzvah Day is Isaiah 58’s largest and best-known project. When we started it, we didn’t know if any one would come. It has been such a huge success that it has kept on growing over the years. Now in its 25th year, this project involves over 200 temple members, who are learning the joy that the Isaiah 58 Committee has known for many, many years – the joy that only making a difference in someone else’s life can bring.
