Cleaning the grounds at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery.
Tikkun Olam and Tzedakah at TINT
The one thing that makes Temple Israel Ner Tamid stand out is its big heart. Social action is something that comes naturally to this congregation; perhaps a subtle influence from Rabbi Fred’s groundbreaking integration activities in Mississippi in the late ‘50s. “We’re the little congregation that could,” said Peter Freimark, Chairman of the Social Action Committee and himself an activist for change. “We don’t wonder what has to be done…we just do it.” Freimark spearheaded one of the most amazing Hurricane Katrina relief efforts that continue today. Expecting to collect enough used clothing and goods to fill one truck that he would drive to devastated communities in Mississippi in 2005, he and Temple Israel Ner Tamid—thanks to community donations of goods and money— ended up sending five full-sized tractor trailer rigs packed with goods. No other organization in Cleveland matched that effort at the time. Even now, he and other members of the congregation go to Mississippi to help with the rebuilding effort.
The practice of serving a monthly hot meal at St. Aloysius Church in Cleveland started at Temple Ner Tamid and quickly becoming a regular mitzvah at TINT. The yearly $10,000 cost is paid for by donations to the temple’s Hunger Fund. The temple also sponsors an annual Blood Drive with the American Red Cross and a Yom Kippur food collection that brings in much-needed supplies for the Cleveland Aids Taskforce and area hunger centers. Freimark has met with fellow social activist Danny Siegal, and has gone to Israel as part of the “Mitzvah Heroes Tour” to work with other Jewish non-profit organizations.
In September 2007, Freimark and former Board of Trustees President Joy Gray, announced the TINT “Mitzvah of the Month” program. Each month, we collect one item and give the collection to fill a special need.
In September, used cell phones and chargers were collected. These phones were reprogrammed to allow 911 call capability and sent to those still suffering the effects of Hurricane Katrina. October saw over 1,000 jars of peanut butter donated to the St. Aloysius Hunger Center; November, boxes of warm gloves, scarves and hats went to Cleveland’s Coats for Kids campaign; and in December, Hillcrest Hospital was given over 1,200 video tapes and DVDs for pediatric patients to enjoy.
Small toiletries were collected in January for Cleveland’s homeless. In February, adult diapers were collected for those in need in Louisiana and Mississippi.
Drop-offs from the public are always welcome. For more information about upcoming “Mitzvah of the Month” collections, please contact the temple office at 440-473-5120. Click here for the complete year-long list of Mitzvah of the Month schedule of collections.