August 2018
Leschi Elementary School Projects
Many thanks to all those who contributed to our second successful year of filling over 120 grade-specific backpacks for homeless children at Leschi Elementary. But there is still plenty of work to be done to lend help to these children in need who are just seven miles from HNT. See above for details on joining our corps of tutors before the end of October, and collections in September and December to keep these growing kids in weather-appropriate clothing throughout the year.
September
Back to School Kids Clothing Drive at Frankel Religious School Back to School Picnic
Have a drawer or closet full of new or nearly–new clothing that your kids have already outgrown? Leschi Elementary needs help keeping their bins full of spare shirts, pants, dresses, coats, socks, shoes and more for K-5 students in need. Bring donations to the FRS
Back to School Picnic on Sunday, September 16 or to the office beforehand.
JFS High Holiday Food Drive & Sort
In the weeks leading up to the High Holidays, HNT collects non-perishable food for the Jewish Family Service Polack Food Bank. Volunteers participate in the JFS Food Sort every year, loading up the food collected at HNT and joining hundreds of other volunteers at JFS to sort the food and stock the pantry. RSVP required – to volunteer on September 30, email FoodSort@h-nt.org.
October
Candidate Forum
On Wednesday, October 17, learn about our candidates for local government from all perspectives.. In partnership with the League of Women Voters, a non-partisan organization, and several other faith communities, this collaborative effort aims to encourage informed and active participation in government. Be sure to register to vote by October 8 at www.sos.wa.gov/elections/register.aspx. Event RSVP appreciated at h-nt.org/candidate-forum.
HIAS’ National Refugee Shabbat
The weekend of October 19-21, we will learn about the global refugee crisis and recommit to putting our values into action. Shabbat services will focus on the plight of refugees, and on October 21 at Congregation Beth Shalom, our communities will present a program on assistance and advocacy for refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants. Find further details at h-nt.org/calendar.
November through April
Congregations for the Homeless Shelter Meals
As a member of Congregations for the Homeless, which strives to mitigate the pain of homelessness by providing meals and basic needs, HNT aspires to provide at least two monthly meals for homeless men. This is a great activity for families, friends, your book group, or chavurah, and HNT will provide organizational support. It’s all done potluck-style with food you can buy or make at home. You can drop off food or stay to help serve and talk with the residents. You choose the date that works for your group for lunch or dinner. See our guide for “How to Captain a Shelter Meal,” or email Mindy Landsman at ShelterMeals@h-nt.org for more details or to volunteer.
November continued…
JFS Holiday Gift Drive
Help give kids in need a happier holiday season by donating gifts through Jewish Family Service. We will provide a sign-up form with specific gifts needed which should be dropped off unwrapped. Once all the gifts have been collected, we will coordinate a ‘wrapping party’ before they are delivered. For details email Meredith@h-nt.org.
December
Winter Kids/Adult Clothing Collection for Leschi Elementary/ROOTS at Chanukah
Leschi Elementary School has 80 homeless children in need. ROOTS (Rising Out Of The Shadows) is a shelter for young adults, many of whom have aged out of the foster system. We’d like to give these kids and young adults winter clothes to be thankful for during the holiday season: new socks, gloves, scarves, and new or nearly new winter coats.
Refugee Wish Lists
Jewish Family Service has 900+ refugee families who have resettled in the area over the past few years. These families fled from inhumane situations in their countries of origin, and were provided with basic household items when they arrived in the US. Building off of last year’s collection of household items, this year HNT is helping ‘grant wishes’ for extra essential items that most of us take for granted. This gives families the opportunity to request individual items they need to help make their house more of a home. If you would like to help fulfill a family’s wish list or have questions, email Refugees@h-nt.org.
January 2019
JFS Families Fight Hunger
About 1,300 households rely on the Polack Food Bank each month. On January 27, volunteer to support food bank clients by packaging food, creating personal kits, writing cards and advocating for important issues. RSVP to volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3153.
February
Jewish Community Legislative Priorities & Lobby Day
In the fall, Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle will be emailing out surveys for the community to give input on public policy priorities. Please check your inbox and let your voice be heard! Then in February, we will journey to Olympia for a day of lobbying for those issues that matter most to our Jewish community.
March
Annual Blood Drive
This event honors the memory and last wish of Ellen Yusim z”l, a teenage congregant whose family was sponsored by our synagogue when they resettled in Seattle from the former Soviet Union. Timeslot sign-ups for March 3 are available beginning in January at
h-nt.org/save-a-life. Bloodworks Northwest needs blood donors throughout the year to help them meet the needs of the community. Click here for more information.
Purim & Penne: Let Your Pasta Be Your Grogger
Are you a penne person? A macaroni maniac? A farfalle fanatic? We invite every family member to bring a box of their favorite dry pasta to use as their grogger during the Purim Shpiel on March 20. At the end of the night, drop your box in a bin for Jewish Family Service’s Polack Food Bank.
April
Eastside Baby Corner Volunteer Day
Eastside Baby Corner serves as a diaper bank, clothing bank, and food source for more than 800 kids across King County each week. HNT will be organizing a group to fill orders and sort donations of baby clothes, items and gear. Sign-ups for this April project begin in March at h-nt.org/volunteers.
Shtilim Visit to the JFS Polack Food Bank
Ever wonder how a food bank works? Shtilim families with kids in Kindergarten through 2nd grade are invited to tour the JFS Polack Food Bank, help package bulk food and learn about what the food bank is and who it helps. RSVP to Eliyahu@h-nt.org.
May
‘Mitzvah in a Bag’ Collection & Assembly by USY
Help bring back a special HNT tradition of creating bags of toiletries and non-perishable snacks. Once assembled, ‘Mitzvah in a Bag’s will be available for everyone to keep in their cars and distribute to those in need. We will collect supplies at Volunteer Appreciation/Annual Meeting & Lag B’Omer in May – watch for a list of needed items. USY will assemble the bags once the collection has finished. Pick up some bags to keep in your car beginning in June!
June
JFS Volunteer Gleaning
Help collect fresh produce from the Capitol Hill Farmers Market for Polack Food Bank clients the second & fourth Sundays of the month. The Food Bank serves food insecure households in the Capitol Hill, Central District and downtown Seattle neighborhoods; as well as vulnerable members of the Jewish community in the Puget Sound region. The Food Bank is a critical piece of the food security system for our most vulnerable community members. RSVP to volunteer@jfsseattle.org or (206) 861-3153.
July
Swedish SummeRun & Walk for Ovarian Cancer Research
Since 1993, Swedish SummeRun has raised over $10 million towards ovarian cancer research. Each year, the HNT Athletes team gathers to participate in loving memory of HNT members Marsha Rivkin, Babs Fisher and Gail Stulberg. Money raised from the SummeRun helps the Marsha Rivkin Center in its mission to save lives and reduce suffering through improved treatment, early detection, and prevention of ovarian cancer. Donate to and/or join our team beginning in June at h-nt.org/SummeRun.
