As Jews, we feel a responsibility to repair the world, in Hebrew, Tikkun Olam. At Temple, we take great pride in taking a leadership role and forging partnerships with local organizations that align with the Jewish values of the Reform Movement and our steadfast commitment to Tikkun Olam. By collaborating with these groups, we provide a meaningful outlet for individuals who share our passion for community engagement and volunteering in Memphis.
If you would like to get involved, receive more information, or if you have an idea for new volunteer opportunities at Temple Israel, please email Faith Ruch.
Click the name of the group to sign up!
Community Engagement and Empowerment
Team Glean -Team Glean is a nationwide effort to end hunger and reduce food waste through gleaning, the practice of redistributing quality produce that otherwise would be discarded. Every Thursday afternoon, Temple volunteers, ages 21+ or children with a guardian, gather at the Agricenter Farmer’s Market to collect fruit and vegetables generously donated by the vendors there, then organize and deliver the produce to Plough Towers for the residents. Led by Jan Reisman and Rebecca Fox
Team Read – The mission of the Team Read tutoring program is to help students improve the academic achievement of second graders in reading by pairing each participating student with a caring volunteer tutor. Led by Penny Lewis
Room in the Inn – Room in the Inn-Memphis is a ministry that serves people experiencing homelessness. The program provides emergency shelter and meals during the coldest months of the year—November through March. There are many ways to get involved, including setting up, greeting, providing or serving a meal, staying overnight with our guests, and cleaning up on Monday mornings. Led by Marcy Stagner
Social Justice
Women’s Health Advocacy – Jewish values compel us to support full access to safe and legal reproductive health care for women. Congress and our state legislature are interfering with a woman’s decision-making about her own reproductive health and limiting and banning potentially lifesaving medical procedures. This group will work to preserve access to family planning and advocate for compassionate healthcare for women. Join us to support women’s rights locally, statewide, and nationally. We have a voice, and it’s time for us to be heard! Led by Mindy Huddleston
Gun Violence Prevention – Help reduce gun violence in our city! We will partner with organizations in Memphis that aim to prevent gun violence by supporting youth (mentoring, school supply or toy drives), participating in community events to raise awareness, and contacting our leaders to advocate for ways to stop the killing. Led by Rochelle Fenton and Susanne Landau
Temple Community
Temple Cares – Temple Cares is a network of congregant-led committees in the business of serving our fellow members when and where they are most in need. Our current committees include the Meals, Bereavement Calls, and Transportation. The Meals Committee provides and delivers a home-cooked or purchased meal to Temple members and families in times of need. The Bereavement Calls Committee makes caring phone calls to grieving members who have recently lost a loved one. The Transportation Committee provides rides to our members to and from medical appointments. If you are interested in being a part of Temple Cares, email Faith Ruch. Led by Debbie Jackson
Other Ways to Get Involved
We want to hear from you! If you have an idea for a new group or would like to lead a group, please let us know. We are always looking for new ideas and ways to enhance our community. Click here to share your idea.