Caring Community
No Beth Israel member should be alone in a time of need
A Caring Community is the community we – the members of Beth Israel – build, based on the fundamental Jewish value Gemilut Hasadim, or “the giving of loving-kindness." Our entire community contributes to making Caring Community what it is today and your overwhelming desire to give and be involved is what makes it thrive.
Caring Community is always looking for volunteers to help in a variety of capacities: High Holy Day Volunteer, Mish Bag Delivery Volunteer, Caring Calls, visiting the sick, or donating meals or treats for our Fill the Freezer program.
If you would like to volunteer and make a difference in someone’s life, or if you are in need of help, please let us know by filling out the form at the bottom of this page, or by reaching out to Caring Community Director Katey Lindley at , or 858-900-2525.
Our Programs
Mending Hearts
Our Mending Hearts bereavement program provides support and comfort in a small group setting for those who have experienced a recent loss. Past participants bonded and continue to meet up. The program is facilitated by Rabbi Aliza Berk, LMFT, Jewish Educator, Chaplain and Spiritual Director, and Gail Braverman, LMFT, Certified Art Therapist, Certified Amherst Writers and Artists Facilitator, Yoga instructor. Both facilitators will guide participants through the healing process with love and support. Cost is $18 for all 8 sessions. Hours are 10-11:30am. Location is the Chapel.
Upcoming program dates:
- September 8, 15, 22, 29
- October 20, 27
- November 3, 10
Fill the Freezer
Fill the Freezer is a yearlong program that supports Caring Community delivery of a Mish (Mishaberach/healing) Bag filled with delicious food to nourish the soul. Help us Fill the Freezer with food so that we can comfort those in times of poor health, loss of a loved one, or celebrating the birth of a baby. Desserts, soups, casseroles, muffins, cookies, we need it all! Pack it up yourself or pick up a Kit (container, lid and label) from the Caring Community Office. Once your tin is full, return it to the Caring Community office. Feel free to pick up a kit and return it anytime throughout the year.
Cooking with Caring Community
Our program, Cooking with Caring Community, continues to flourish. This is an on-line cooking program that enables all congregants to participate. Each month a wonderful host welcomes you into their home to demonstrate a family recipe or a favorite Jewish holiday dish. Our hope is that once you have prepared the meal you will donate half to our Fill the Freezer program that supports delivery of Mishaberach (healing) Bags to those in our community who are dealing with illness, loss or celebrating the birth of a child. Our fabulous hosts have included Clergy, Beth Israel staff, religious school students, and congregants!
See below for the upcoming Cooking with Caring Community schedule. Full event details can be found on our calendar.
- September 9: The most delicious Apple Cake for Rosh Hashanah.
- November 4: Thanksgiving Sweet Potato Soup.
- December 11: Hannukah Latkes
- January 27: TBD
- Feb 24: TBD
- March 31: Favorite Passover dishes
- April 28 No host yet
- May 19: Pressure cooker Cheesecake in celebration of Shavuot.
Report a Need
Our rabbis and our Caring Community volunteers call and/or visit members who are ill, hospitalized, grieving, or in crisis. To do this, we count on you to let us know – about yourself, a family member, or another congregant. Use the contact form below, or email Katey Lindley, Director of Caring Community at or call her at 858-900-2525. Please let us know if you prefer the information be kept confidential. When we support one another, we create a caring, loving community.
Upcoming Caring Community Events
