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Social Action Committee

Our Mission

In the spirit of tzedakah and tikkum olam, the mission of the Social Action Committee is to make the world a better place through direct hands-on action, advocacy, and education. 

Social Action Projects

Barton’s Crossing

Towels, sheets, and blankets were collected for this homeless shelter in Pittsfield for men and women.

Berkshire Baby Box

The Berkshire Baby Box project provides a safe sleeping space for newborns, filled with essential items to help ease the transition to parenthood. Our contribution to the Berkshire Baby Box was to collect baby board books. 

Berkshire Bounty

Berkshire Bounty collects donated food from local retailers and delivers the food to meal sites and food pantries in Pittsfield. As a founding member of Berkshire Bounty, TAA provides volunteer drivers to accomplish this mission on Mondays.  If interested, please contact Suzanne Nash at 413-442-0181.

Berkshire Community Diaper Project

TAA sponsors a drive to collect diapers, wipes, and monetary contributions for this project which provides diapers for families in need throughout Berkshire County.

Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT)

Members of the congregation assisted BEAT in a kiwi removal day at Burbank Park.

Berkshire Pathways

Members of the congregation donated work and job interview clothing to the ISAC Closet at Berkshire Pathways, an organization that assists people with mental illness.

Coins for Winter Fuel Drive

Monies are collected and given to the Pittsfield Area Council of Congregations (PACC) for their Winter Fuel Assistance Program. 

Elizabeth Freeman Center’s “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes”

TAA sponsors a team to participate in this event to benefit victims of domestic violence

First Baptist Church Community Dinners

TAA, along with thirteen other faith-based and civic organizations, provides a meal at the First Baptist Church four times per year through their “Feed the Sheep” Program. The Committee buys, prepares, and serves a meal of lasagna, salad, bread, fruits, pastries, and beverages. Some of the food is donated by Bartlett’s Apple Orchard, Crescent Creamery, Guido’s, and Panera Bread via Berkshire Bounty.

First Methodist Church

Towels were collected and donated to the First Methodist Church in Pittsfield to be used at their shower facility which is open to the public.

Thanksgiving Angels

On the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Temple Anshe Amunim, along with 18 other faith-based and civic organizations, provide a frozen turkey along with all the fixings for a full-course Thanksgiving dinner to residents of Berkshire County in need. Each year approximately 1,500 families are served through this program.

Winter Clothing Drive

Warm winter clothing for adults and children are collected and donated to the Christian Center as well as other agencies in Pittsfield.

Social Justice Projects

Death with Dignity Forums

The Committee sponsored two forums on the subject of “Death with Dignity.”

Religious Action Center (RAC)

The RAC, the political and legislative outreach arm of Reform Judaism in the United States, operates under the auspices of the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism, a joint body of the Central Conference of American Rabbis and the Union of Reform Judaism. TAA has signed a Brit Olam with the RAC. The Social Action Committee chooses social justice activities with the assistance of the RAC.

ROE Act Campaign

In conjunction with the Religious Action Center and a statewide coalition including NARAL, Planned Parenthood, and the ACLU, TAA campaigned for passage of this women’s reproductive rights bill in Massachusetts. To learn more about this program visit https://actionnetwork.org/groups/roe-act

Temple Anshe Amunim Youth Group Projects 

PFTY High Holiday Food Drive

Each year for many years, the Pittsfield Federation of Temple Youth has used the High Holy Days as an opportunity to give back to the community by collecting non-perishable food items to be delivered to local food pantries.

Your donation of food is a mitzvah to help those who are in need of food during difficult times.

Community Crib

Jumpstarted by Temple Youth Director Rachel Alemany, our annual Community Crib has evolved into a generous, charitable way of making the holidays of those less fortunate more enjoyable.

During each holiday season, a crib is placed in the foyer of the Temple, and Temple members are encouraged to contribute items for young children and parents.  During our annual Chanukah Dinner and party, members of PFTY wrap these gifts and deliver them to local agencies who deliver them to people in need.

Tue, December 10 2024 9 Kislev 5785