Partners and Volunteer Opportunities

The SAC is an open committee that encourages congregation members to participate in planning, implementing, and staffing many programs that work towards tikkun olam in our world. Below are some of the activities we have right now that are ongoing and can use more volunteers.

• Join the SAC Advocacy Task Force (Ongoing committee)
• Donate to our Social Action Fund and Social Action Food Fund (Ongoing)

Activities at NW Towers:

• Tutor children from NW Towers Annex (Tuesday afternoons during the school year)
• Meals and parties for NW Tower residents (Occasional events throughout the year)
• Volunteer support for weekly Sunday Food Pantry

Support Lift Urban Portland:

In 1980 Congregation Beth Israel was one of the founders of Lift UP (previously NW Portland Ministries).  CBI has continuously supported  Lift UP in its mission to reduce hunger and improve the lives of low-income residents of Northwest and Downtown Portland. 

Pre-pandemic activities included educational and community building programs.  Beth Israel has been a partner in these activities. Through our participation in Lift UP’s “Adopt a Building” program we have  had a long term supportive relationship with our neighbors at NW Towers and Annex.  

Lift UP is currently focused on addressing food insecurity through it’s program at Preston’s Food Pantry, an affiliate of the Oregon Food Bank.  The Pantry, located at First United Methodist Church, is open to clients three afternoons each week.  In addition, Lift UP makes home deliveries to individuals unable to access the pantry and to affordable housing buildings.  

Volunteer opportunities are available for individuals and teams. For volunteer information contact Abby Mulvihill. 

For more information about any of these volunteer opportunities or to sign up to volunteer, call Program and Communications Coordinator Tracy Manaster Alifanz in the CBI Main Office at (503) 222-1069 or email SAC@bethisrael.com.

Links

• ARZA/World Union for Progressive Judaism
• Basic Rights Oregon
• Blanchet House
• Cascadia Clusters
• Catholic Charities 
• Central City Concern
• Coda
• HIAS 
• Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO)
• Interfaith Alliance on Poverty
• Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ) 
• Lift Every Voice Oregon
• Lift Urban Portland
• Moms Demand Action
• Operation Nightwatch 
• Oregon Food Bank
• Partners for a Hunger Free Oregon
• Portland Backpack Project
• Portland Homeless Family Solutions
• Reform Action Center (RAC) Gilbert and Eleanor Kraus Initiative, Immigrant and Refugee Justice Action Center
• Religious Action Center
• Seeking Peace, Pursuing Justice
• Stone Soup PDX
• Sunshine Pantry
• Union for Reform Judaism
• Urban Gleaners