In keeping with the mitzvot of Tzedaka (sharing of resources) and G’milut Hasadim (deeds of lovingkindness), the SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE of Congregation Beth-El Zedeck is continually working to help make our community a better place. Please join us! Listed below are a few of the many volunteer opportunities available. We invite you to fulfill mitzvot of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world.

Pedal for Peace

Are you interested in supporting peace in much needed areas of our world?  Do you enjoy biking either recreationally and/or for exercise?  Come and join us as we Pedal for Peace at the Major Taylor Velodrome!  This 6-hour team bike relay promises to be a worthwhile, memorable, and fun event for bikers of all experience levels. 

Pedal for Peace supports organizations throughout the world that are committed to peace through education, especially for girls and women. 

Saturday, October 2, 2010         4:00 to 10:00 p.m.       at Major Taylor Velodrome

Proceeds from this year’s Pedal for Peace will go toward two organizations that are building schools and promoting education in Afghanistan:

* The Central Asia Institute (Greg Mortenson’s organization, author of Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools), www.ikat.org. 

* AWAKEN (Afghan Women’s and Kids’ Educational Necessities), founded by Bibi Bahrami, an Afghan woman who lives in Muncie, Indiana, www.awakeninc.org.

Become a “team captain” and get a group of friends together to form a team for this great event or join the Beth-El Zedeck team. 

Please contact Shari Lipp-Levine at the synagogue office bez613 {at} bez613(.)org if you’d like to participate or visit www.pedalforpeace.org.

To kick-off Peace Week, Greg Mortenson will be speaking at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church on Monday, September 27th at 6:30 p.m.  This is a free event; however, tickets are required.  Tickets can be picked up beginning August 15 at the following locations: St. Luke’s UMC, 100 W. 86th Street, Indianapolis, IN (Mon-Fri, 8:30AM-5PM) or Congregation Beth-El Zedeck, 600 W. 70th Street, Indianapolis, IN (Mon-Th. 9AM-4:30AM, Fri 9AM-3PM).  There is a limit of 4 tickets given to any one person.

For more information on both events, please visit www.stlukesumc.com

Habitat for Humanity

The Build on Faith is a partnership where Jews, Christians and Muslims join together to build a Habitat for Humanity House. This is the fifth interfaith build in our city. No experience necessary! Volunteers are needed! (you must be 16 years or older and pre-register as we have a limited number of spots)

Our next build is Fall 2010.

Please contact Shari Lipp-Levine at the synagogue office bez613 {at} bez613(.)org if you’d like to participate.

Dress for Success

We are excited to continue our partnership with Dress for Success Indianapolis, which is a non-profit organization that provides interview suits, confidence boosts, and career development to low-income women in Central Indiana. Throughout the year, Beth-El Zedeck  participates in a wide variety of educational, volunteer, and donor events:

If you are interested in volunteering for Dress for Success Indianapolis, Boutique Assistants and Personal Shoppers are always needed. For more information about the synagogue’s partnership, volunteering, or making a donation, please contact the synagogue office.  Additional information about the organization is available at www.dressforsuccess.org/indianapolis.

Interfaith Hunger Initiative

In the fall of 2007 Jim Morris, freshly returned from five years as head of the World Food Program of the United Nations, called together about 20 Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders in Indianapolis. Jim had personally seen many hungry and starving children in places all around the world. He reminded us that all of our faith traditions encourage us to “feed the hungry,” and he encouraged us to work together to help feed hungry people in our community and around the world. Consequently, we began work on the Indianapolis Interfaith Hunger Initiative.  Additional information is available at www.interfaithhungerinitiative.org.  Please check back for upcoming events.

Kosher to Go

We offer Kosher meals Mondays and Wednesdays to homebound members of the Jewish community. If you know of anyone in need of this service, please contact the synagogue office. We are also always looking for volunteers to devote not more than 2 hours a week each month to deliver meals. Contact Shari Lipp-Levine at the synagogue office to help out. This program is made possible through the Sidney Maurer Memorial Fund to Feed the Hungry.

Community Gardening

Beth-El Zedeck and St. Luke’s are partnering through the Interfaith Hunger Initiative to create a community garden at Fox Hill Elementary to provide fresh fruits and vegetables to the students and their families.   To help with watering and harvesting through the summer, please contact Shari Lipp-Levine at the synagogue office.

Mitzvah Day

Young and old, families and children join together to perform Mitzvot at Beth-El Zedeck and in the community.  Our next Mitzvah Day is May 1, 2011

Our Social Action/Tikkun Olam Committee is open to ideas for projects and can always use volunteers. If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Shari Lipp-Levine at the synagogue office slevine {at} bez613(.)org.

Thank you for making a difference. It’s a Mitzvah!