Tikkun Olam -

Mission

Deuteronomy 15:11: For there will never cease to be needy ones in your land, which is why I command you: open your hand to the poor and needy kinsman in your land.

The Tikkun Olam Committee for the Temple of Israel will act to ensure our hands are always open for our community.

Tikkun Olam is alive and well at Temple of Israel. The Tikkun Olam Committee holds events on a monthly basis as we strive to meet our mission. We hold 3 main food drives per year, as well as a variety of other events in support of our partner charity organizations. The Temple of Israel calendar and monthly bulletin contains details for upcoming Tikkun Olam opportunities.

Pillars

Tikkun Olam at Temple of Israel is pursued through three main pillars:

Eliminating Hunger – We are committed to the eradication of hunger from our community

Well Being and Being Well – We are committed to creating opportunities for everyone to live healthy, rewarding, meaningful lives.

Providing Audacious Hospitality – We are committed to everyone experiencing a sense of belonging within our Jewish community.

Eliminating Hunger

Nourish NC
Providing Hungry Children With Healthy Food
- - B’Nai Mitzvah Project Option – Yes
  - Temple of Israel Liaison – Jonathan Lacefield
Northside Food Co-op
The Northside Food Co-op is a community-owned cooperative grocery store planned for the Northside of downtown Wilmington that will ensure food security and end the food desert, generate resilience in our neighborhoods, and enhance the local economy through equity and ownership.
- B’Nai Mitzvah Project Option – Maybe
- Temple of Israel Liaison – Anne York
Foodbank of Central & Eastern North Carolina
The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina (the Food Bank) is a nonprofit organization that has provided food for our friends and neighbors facing hunger in 34 counties in central and eastern North Carolina for 40 years.
- B’Nai Mitzvah Project Option – Maybe
- Temple of Israel Liaison – Lawrence Frankel

Well Being & Being Well

Coastal Buds
We believe that every child has the right to be accepted in their community and have similar opportunities as that of their peers. Our mission is to support, connect and provide resources and opportunities for people with DS and their families in Southeastern North Carolina. By raising awareness and educating our community we help others include and clearly see the value of people with Down syndrome.
- B’Nai Mitzvah Project Option – Maybe
- Temple of Israel Liaison – Tom Fish
Next Chapter Book Club
We offer a unique community-based book club program for adolescents and adults with Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and other intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- B’Nai Mitzvah Project Option – Maybe
- Temple of Israel Liaison – Tom Fish
Aging In Place
If you are over age 55, live in Wilmington, North Carolina and are beginning to think about life as a Senior, the AGING IN PLACE Program is meant for you. Regardless of your health, wealth, or type of home, you will be eligible to participate in this innovative program to help you remain in your own home as you age.
- B’Nai Mitzvah Project Option – Maybe
- Temple of Israel Liaison – Susan Silver
CityPlace
CityPlace is a model project in which two under-served groups of people will be provided with “Housing-With-Supports” in Wilmington, NC. Those groups are young adults with disabilities and moderate-income seniors and near-seniors.
- B’Nai Mitzvah Project Option – Maybe
- Temple of Israel Liaison – Susan Silver
Domestic Violence Center of Wilmington & Vintage Value
For over 35-years, Domestic Violence Shelter and Services, Inc. has empowered victims and their families to break the cycle of domestic violence by providing shelter and on-going support services, as well as public awareness and prevention programs. We work toward empowering the increasing number of victims and their families to break the cycle of domestic violence. Vintage Values are a series of thrift stores whose proceeds support the Domestic Violence Center.
- B’Nai Mitzvah Project Option – Maybe
- Temple of Israel Liaison – Jonathan Lacefield
McKinney-Vento New Hanover School System
The mission of the McKinney-Vento Program is to ensure that all children and youth experiencing homelessness have access to the educational services to which they are entitled under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. Temple of Israel works with the MV program within NHSS.
- B’Nai Mitzvah Project Option – Maybe
- Temple of Israel Liaison – Jonathan Lacefield
Walk to End Alzheimer's
Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest fundraiser for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. This inspiring event calls on participants of all ages and abilities to join the fight against the disease.
- B’Nai Mitzvah Project Option – Yes
- Temple of Israel Liaison – Maggie Barnett
2-Share Furniture
2Share Furniture is an all-volunteer project supported by local faith communities and other non-profits. The goal of 2Share Furniture is to donate furniture to those who need it. We focus our efforts primarily in downtown neighborhoods; a majority of our clients are single moms and children. We are part of the New Hanover County Disaster Coalition. We pick-up clean furniture in good condition: sofas/love seats, chairs, beds, dressers, dinette/kitchen sets plus items such as bedding, towels, flatware, pots and pans, and lamps.
- B’Nai Mitzvah Project Option – Yes
- Temple of Israel Liaison – Jonathan Lacefield
One Soil Farm
The mission of One Soil Farm is to provide the Jewish community of Durham with local, sustainably grown vegetables through our JCSA programs at Beth El Synagogue and the Jewish Community Center. We are a truly community-based farm, committed to building personal relationships, offering Jewish farming education, and connecting the Jewish community of Durham with our agricultural heritage and inherent connection to the earth.
- B’Nai Mitzvah Project Option – Maybe
- Temple of Israel Liaison – Malinda Zimmerman
Harrelson Center
The Jo Ann Carter Harrelson Center Inc. is a North Carolina nonprofit corporation 501c3 (EIN 20-3598248) that supports and partners with other nonprofit organizations in the Wilmington community. The Center works with its partners to meet the needs of the community in areas such as safe and affordable housing, education, employment, health care and family support. The Center recognizes the critical needs of others and encourages, uplifts and assists them in rebuilding their lives through the services provided in the center.
- B’Nai Mitzvah Project Option – Maybe
- Temple of Israel Liaison – Jonathan Lacefield

Providing Audacious Hospitality

Keshet
Keshet works for the full equality of all LGBTQ Jews and our families in Jewish life.
- B’Nai Mitzvah Project Option – Maybe
- Temple of Israel Liaison – Rabbi Emily

Call to Action

Are you looking for ways to engage in a B’Nai Mitzvah project? Are you involved with a charitable organization that you would like to promote within the Temple of Israel? Would you like to become involved or more involved in pursuing Tikkun Olam? Would you like to be more active with the Tikkun Olam Committee?

Whatever your level of commitment or activity, the Tikkun Olam committee is here to support you as we serve our mission. Please reach out to Jonathan Lacefield if you’d like to learn more.