Temple Avodah celebrates Mitzvah Day

Members of Temple Avodah in Oceanside put their faith into action by organizing their annual Mitzvah Day on Sunday, May 1.

The word “mitzvah” translates as a commandment and means doing a good deed or charitable act, which is what those participating in the day’s events accomplished. Participants donated to the charity box, known as the tzedakah box, for the rabbi’s discretionary fund, collecting a total of $180.

Collections were also gathered for several organizations and charities, including food collection for Ronald McDonald House, Long Beach Soup Kitchen and Hatzilu Kosher Food Pantry in Baldwin.

They also collected art supplies for the Five Towns Community Center in Inwood, dental supplies for FCA Walkabout Transitional Living For Young Men and Women in Freeport, pet supplies for Morgan’s Quest Pet Rescue in Oceanside and toiletries for the Hempstead Inn.

Cantor Amelia led a sing-along and the Torah study group gathered for a Torah reading. “Studying the Torah is a mitzvah,” said Charles Liebov of Oceanside. “That means it’s a good thing to do and by studying it, we learn what is required of us.”