No Bread, No Torah
Join us this Fall and Winter as we work to engage 78% (gematria for bread) of our congregation in relieving local food insecurity.
"Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah said . . . where there is no bread, there is no Torah."
This verse from Pirkei Avot, a book within the Mishnah (the collection of oral law compiled around the 3rd century). Pirkei Avot contains ethical traditions passed down to us over the centuries, gifting our people deep wisdom about what we need and ow we should live within this world. This verse is beautifully lifts up for us today both a reality and a responsibility; if we do not have our material needs met, we cannot do the work that Torah has laid out for us. If we are not fed, or if all human beings around us do not have access to sustenance, all else fals to the side.
Find out about what we are doing and all of the ways you can participate in this initiative from financial donations to volunteering with: our High Holy Day Food Drive (monetary donations); preparing Urban Ministries dinners; volunteering with Families Moving Forward making dinner; participating in our Meals on Wheels Christmas Dinner; and providing in-person holiday support at Emanuel Food Pantry.
Read more No Bread, No Torah HERE.
Hands-On Service
Our congregants are involved in several recurrent service projects in the Durham area. This is where you will find opportunities to cook and serve food to local unhoused families, to volunteer to build homes with Habitat, and to sign-up for the annual CROP Walk.
Not everyone has time to join a weekly or monthly project, but all of us can give occasionally and we want to help you connect with organizations that are doing important work. Explore opportunities to chip in below.
Emanuel Food Pantry
Our members volunteer at the Emanuel Food Pantry to sort, package, and disburse food to over 400 families a week. Several of our members also serve on the board of this essential organization. To get involved sign up for a shift on their website.
Urban Ministries Durham
Each month our community along with friends from Beth El and Jewish for Good provide a meal for folks staying in emergency housing with Urban Ministries. We bake casseroles, provide salad ingredients, and desserts, and serve the meal together.
Families Moving Forward
Four times a year we provide and serve a comforting dinner to families who are accessing services with Families Moving Forward. We also help support FMF summer campers with a supply drive in the Spring. To learn more and connect with this work contact Robin Schwartz.
Habitat for Humanity
The third Thursday of every month a team of JRC volunteers builds with Habitat for Humanity. The builds are open to all skill levels and abilities. All are welcome, and there is something for everyone to do. To learn more, contact Lloyd Comstock.
CROP Walk
Every Spring congregants join hundreds of others in the area for the Annual Durham Crop Walk. This year the walk will be May 23, contact Doug Fein if you would like to join our team!
Meals on Wheels Christmas Dinner
Each year we fund, prep, cook, and deliver the Meals on Wheels Christmas Dinner to over 400 Durham residents. This ongoing partnership is in its 45th year! In 2024 we cooked 500 meals and had over 150 volunteers. It's our biggest hands-on congregational mitzvah of the year. Join us in 2025, sign-ups begin in early November!
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