Mitzvah Day 2023

Donate young-adult books and adult books to support Exchange for Change, which offers educational and community skills-building courses to incarcerated individuals.

Donate your gently used children’s books (baby books, first readers and picture books) to support the Read to Learn Books for Free initiative.

Miami Book Fair’s literacy initiative The Children’s Trust Books for Free stocks 78 book shelves located all over town – from community service offices and clinics to juvenile court, parks and community centers – with gently-used children’s books. Your books provide every child the opportunity to take a book or 2, and even more for their brothers and sisters at home, for free. We distribute 5,000 books a week, and we just can’t keep up with the demand for books for the children of our community. Everyone can help keep the shelves stocked by donating baby books, first readers and picture books. Together we can change the statistic that only 1 in 300 children own a book at home.

Help us spruce up the Boys & Girls Club’s indoor basketball court and complete various painting projects. The Club focuses on enabling all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. Read more about Boys & Girls Club…

Support Buddy System by making PB&J sandwiches and donating nonperishables alongside TBAM’s Social Justice Teen Fellowship and engage in a reflection focused on food justice in Miami. Your efforts and donations will help stock Buddy System’s pantry and 3 community fridges in Miami. Once food preparation is completed, help transport the food to the fridges. Read more about Buddy System…

Camillus House provides tools, guidance, and a pathway to help those experiencing homelessness create a better future. Join us by preparing and serving lunch to Camillus House residents. Read more about Camillus House…

Please help by donating:

• Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, toothbrushes
• Feminine-care products
• Gently used adult clothing
• New packs of adult undergarments

Spread positivity and beauty at Casa Valentina by making mosaic – positive – messaging garden stones. Casa Valentina provides at-risk and former foster-care youth with safe, affordable housing, life skills, and continued support to maintain self-sufficiency. Read more about Casa Valentina…

Please donate and help us create bags containing the following much needed full-sized items for use by the residents of Chapman Partnership, Empowering the Homeless.

• Shower Gel
• Deodorant
• Shave Gel
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Single Blade Razors
• Feminine Care Products
• New socks
• New undergarments
• Other personal care items.

We will be collecting donations prior to and during Mitzvah Day for those who wish to drop off. We will need helpers to fill the bags and helpers to collect donations that are dropped off on Mitzvah Day. We will also create cards to be included in the bags (fun for children). Read more about Chapman Partnership…

A location that is close to home and dear to our hearts, help by collecting washed-up marine debris in the mangroves and at the shore of Deering. Participants receive an educational and positive environmental experience and can help as citizen scientists by cataloging and reporting the collected debris.

Pick up food from donating businesses (e.g., Trader Joes) and transport them to Gibson Park where you will help set up the donation area and distribute food to attendees (and perhaps even provide a cooking lesson with donated items). Pickups start at 10 AM, followed by setup at 10:45, and distribution at noon. Entertainment provided by Food Rescue to celebrate Black History Month. We hope to collect canned or other non-perishable foods to use to stock the pantry at the Greenhaven in Overtown.

Support Israel Defense Forces (IDF) via the Friends of the IDF (FIDF) by writing cards, decorating pillowcases, and recording supportive video messages to send to the soldiers. The FIDF is a non-political, non-military organization that provides for the wellbeing of the IDF, veterans, and family members. Every day, the young men and women of the IDF put their lives on the line to protect the Jewish homeland. FIDF is whole-heartedly committed to providing these courageous young men and women with a better life and brighter future. Their job is to look after Israel–ours is to look after them. Read more about FIDF…

Join us in assembling necessities for the children of JAFCO headed to summer camp. JAFCO gives every child a place to belong by providing care and support to children and their families impacted by abuse, neglect, trauma, or disabilities. Read more about JAFCO…

Please help by donating:

• Beach and pool toys, towels, beach bags, water toys
• Sunscreen, adjustable caps, sunglasses, water bottles (BPA free)
• Stationary
• Plastic toiletry items (soap containers, toothbrush holders, etc.)
• Other camp necessities!

Enjoy a family friendly morning to support Jewish Community Services (JCS) and the Kosher Food Bank. This project is a two-part activity perfect for families with young children. First, grab your Milam’s grocery cart and go on a scavenger hunt to stock-up on essential groceries to replenish the Kosher Food Bank. Once you find everything and pay for the groceries, package the items at Milam’s in a beautiful basket to distribute to local families in need. Read more about JCS…

Capacity limited to 10 families of volunteers from 9-10 AM.

Capacity limited to 10 families of volunteers from 10-11 AM.

Capacity limited to 10 families of volunteers from 11AM-12 PM.

LEAP is dedicated to helping incarcerated women transcend their past and get back on the right footing. Leaving prison with only the clothes on their back, LEAP graduates are provided housing and employment. The Dragonfly Thrift Boutique is an initiative to educate and empower these graduates with work experience, the chance to earn money, build references and receive retail training. On Mitzvah day, a group of 10 graduates will receive private instruction from accomplished local entrepreneurs on branding and building a business and make high-end beaded bracelets to sell in their boutique. Learn more about LEAP…

Please help by donating items to be sold in the Dragonfly Thrift Boutique, such as…

• Women’s clothing
• Women’s accessories: hats, scarves, sunglasses, jewelry
• Small home decor

Lotus House aims to improve the lives of women, youth and children experiencing homelessness by providing sanctuary, support, education, tools and resources. Come be a kid again at the Miami Children’s Museum, alongside our Lotus House neighbors. Beth Am families and Lotus House residents together will explore and enjoy the magic of the Museum through a craft activity, playtime in the museum exhibits, and pizza. Read more about Lotus House…

Ages

Families with children 3-12 years old will have the most fun! Lotus House attendees will primarily be 4-10 years old.

Participant Fee

$40 per Beth Am family (this covers entrance into the Miami Children’s Museum for a family of 4, playtime in the Museum exhibits, a craft activity, and pizza).

Monetary Donations Requested

Costs to organize this Mitzvah Day project exceed the participation fee. We would appreciate any additional donations in support of this project!

We’re launching TBAM’s mitzvah-crafting club at Mitzvah Day! Bring your knitting needles, yarn, or whatever crafting project you’re working on to provide to our Clergy who will give your works of art, love and comfort to congregants and local organizations and let them know that TBAM cares.

Through education, training, research and vision enhancement, Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides hope, confidence and independence to people of all ages. Read more about Miami Lighthouse for the Blind…

Please help by donating:

• Talking BP machines/scales/watches
• Canes
• Currency readers
• Magnifiers
• UNO Braille
• Art supplies (canvas, paint, yarn, flower vases, beads, etc.)

You can also support this organization by attending its March 11 Annual Art Walk (10 AM-1 PM; 501 SW 8th Ave.), where you can view and purchase tactile art created by low-sighted and blind artists and, on March 16 (10:30 AM-1 PM; 501 SW 8th Ave.), by visiting the facility as Cantor Coyot and Rachel Robbins Turetsky lead the Lighthouse members in song and share dessert. Contact Tina Forster ([email protected]) for more information and to reserve your spot. Spaces are limited!

Serve meals to the unhoused in Wynwood at Miami Rescue Mission! We’ll serve lunch 10 AM to 12:30 PM; dinner 2:30 to 5:30 PM. Volunteers must wear closed-toed shoes, long pants, and shirts that cover shoulders and midriffs. Read more about Miami Rescue Mission…

Volunteers will learn about the negative impacts of marine debris and microplastics before embarking on a citizen science marine debris clean-up on the beach. Miami Waterkeeper will provide all materials but bringing your own gloves is appreciated (though not required). Participants should bring a water bottle, wear proper sun protection and closed toed shoes. Read more about Miami Waterkeeper…

Donate blood to enhance the health and well-being of others through OneBlood’s work with blood and stem cell products and by facilitating scientific research. Read more about OneBlood…

PATCHES serves disadvantaged families without easy access to medical centers, where a child’s healthcare is pitted against the parents’ financial survival. PATCHES becomes a home away from home–a place of love, stability and socialization–while day-to-day healthcare needs are provided by caring professionals. Learn more about PATCHES…

Please support PATCHES by donating diapers for children, size 5 and up.

Please donate much needed supplies to–and consider ADOPTING A PUP from–Redland Dog Sanctuary! RDS works diligently to rescue dogs who have been dumped/abandoned in the Redlands and rehabilitate them as needed so they may be adopted into forever homes. Read more about Redland Dog Sanctuary…

Please help by donating:

• Towels, blankets, beds
• Dry and wet dog and cat food
• Cat litter, wee wee pads
• Cleaning supplies

Interested in learning about South Florida vegetable gardening, native plants, butterflies and composting? Join TBAM’s resident gardeners and Fairchild Garden’s Connect-to-Protect Network for a morning of education, garden maintenance and children’s crafts. Learn more about the Garden…

Create and send handwritten letters or cards of love and hope to the children from TiKVA Children’s Home who have been displaced from their home by the war in Ukraine and now live in Romania. Many of the children at TiKVA Children’s Home have experienced great turmoil, abandonment, and fear in their lives, which has been enhanced since the war started. This program will also include a discussion of the current situation and video documenting this organization’s humanitarian work–evacuations and efforts in Romania and caring for the remaining 500 in Odesa, Ukraine. Read more about TiKVA Children’s Home, or see below to learn how you can support.

It’s been 1 year since Russia invaded Ukraine. 1 year since the lives of millions, including the TiKVA children and alumni at TiKVA were turned upside-down. You may not know but Odessa is Ukraine’s third-largest city, and is a prime target of the Russian assault. Some two months ago, Odessa’s powergrid was taken out by Russian attacks, and most residents still have not had power restored. They have not had consistent running water or heat for the last two months fighting a harsh winter beset with frigid temperatures. It is not a pretty picture, to say the least.
TiKVA Children’s Home is an organization that is helping thousands of Jewish orphans and war refugees from Ukraine SURVIVE & THRIVE. TiKVA has invested enormous effort and sums of money to help these vulnerable children and families who were caught in this terrible, grinding conflict survive.
For those for whom escape was possible, TiKVA Children’s Home provided funds to enable their departure. For those unable to leave, TiKVA provided basic necessities such as generators, fuel, food and clothing amid the carnage.
Now, a year later, the urgent need to support these orphans and war refugees is as relevant and pressing as ever. TiKVA Children’s Home is launching a $5 million crowdfunding campaign to raise these crucial funds. To help this effort succeed, we have created a team.
For those trapped in Ukraine, we must HELP THEM SURVIVE and continue providing them with basic living needs as they try to keep their heads above water and ride out the storm.
For those who have fled the war, we must HELP THEM SURVIVE and THRIVE. TiKVA is helping these refugees resettle in Romania, where they are rebuilding their lives from the ground up. They deserve basic necessities after a year of living without a kitchen and a place to call home. They are the largest refugee group to evacuate the war and stay intact. They desperately need our assistance. How can we ignore them in their time of need? HELP THEM SURVIVE. HELP THEM THRIVE. Please donate to our team and help us reach our personal goal. We greatly appreciate your support and so do the children and families that are supported by Tikva. Every donation towards this campaign will be matched so your donation is automatically DOUBLED.

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Voices For Children is sponsoring 15 TBAM youth to participate in an afternoon of fun at Topgolf Miami – Doral with 15 youth currently living in foster care. Socialize with the youth from Voices For Children and help them learn how to properly swing. Learn more about Voices for Children…

Help paint and spruce up the facilities at Whispering Manes. This organization serves children and adults with special needs and disabilities by offering an opportunity to develop a therapeutic relationship with horses to improve self-esteem and general healing.