A day of do-gooding at Temple Emanu-El

Temple Emanu-El of East Meadow was buzzing with activity on Sunday, as philanthropic members of two local synagogues and participated in a special program: Mitzvah Day.

Mitzvah Day is an annual a volunteer event at which community members participate in a myriad of programs designed to help people living under trying circumstances. Sara Diamond, a vice president of Temple Emanu-El’s executive board and chairwoman of the social action committee, said the group took up this service-oriented initiative three years ago after hearing about Mitzvah Day events at synagogues in neighboring communities.

“It’s almost like one-stop shopping,” she said before the event. “We’re trying to make it easy for you to participate…maybe you’ll catch the bug to want to do it again and more often.”

This year, the Community Reform Temple of Westbury — largely comprised of congregants residing in the East Meadow School District — sent Sunday school children and adult volunteers to pack food, create blankets and more for needy people. Rabbi Judy Cohen-Rosenberg explained that CRT has held their own Mitzvah Day, but members decided they could create positive changes in the community more effectively if they teamed up with their neighbors at Temple Emanu-El.

“Rather than each congregation doing a little, we can make a bigger impact while working together,” she said. “The idea that you can do something to help somebody else also makes each individual feel great.”

After finishing their bagel breakfast and listening to speakers, volunteers:

• Helped Hofstra University Hillel students at a car wash to raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House
• Created no-sew fleece blankets for the Bethany House in Roosevelt
• Planted and decorated flower pots that were delivered to seniors residing in the Fulton Commons Care Center and the Bristal Assisted Living At East Meadow
• Packaged cookies and wrote thank you notes to volunteers at ocal fire departments 
• Packed food that was collected for Island Harvest