Join us for an early Mitzvah Day volunteer activity to help sort and pack items for women in need in Pittsburgh and at the US/Mexico border.

Dear Friends,

During his Rosh Hashana sermon, Rabbi Gibson, implored us to find a way to make a difference for people at the border. 

Our Torah is crystal clear on this. Thirty six times it declares: You shall not oppress the stranger, for you know the heart of the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. Thirty-six times!”

 “No more children sacrificed to the false god of fear. No more children freezing on mats at the border. Rather we cherish all of Abraham’s children for the blessings they are. For we are all of Abraham’s children, aren’t we?”

The members of Women of Temple Sinai took Rabbi Gibson’s word to heart, but struggled to see how any one person could actually accomplish anything in addressing the issues of humanity at the Texas/Mexico border. But, then we met Sandra Villarroel from Worth Manifesto.

Sandra, over the summer, rallied volunteers (including members of WOTS) and collected 5,000 hygiene kits and personally delivered them to the thousands of migrants living in squalor conditions at the border.

Not being satisfied with one campaign, she has launched another, even more ambitious campaign to help supply necessary items to women and children. “Joy To the Border” launches this week and runs through December 31. Sandra is once again determined to bring kindness to the border with this new drive to collect donations of travel-sized toiletries and beauty products, individually wrapped snacks, school supplies for a children sidewalk school, yoga mats for people to sleep on, and handwritten notes of encouragement in Spanish.

Please join WOTS members in our effort to make a difference. Here is how you can help:

1. There is a collection box for donations in the Krieger Lobby of Temple. Check out the list of donations needed below. Bring your donation to Temple or to any of the 18 drop-off locations throughout the area.
2. Buy a meal for a person living on the border through the Alternative Marketplace. Download form.
3. Join us the afternoon of December 22^nd for a Mitzvah Day. We will be sorting and packing donations and writing letters of encouragement. Appropriate for all ages. Register Now
4. Make a monetary donation to help pay for transportation through PayPal or purchase needed items on Amazon.

Rabbi Gibson ended his sermon by saying, “May we find the courage to bless the children at our borders! May we lift our lamp beside the Golden Door for blessing for all.”

Please join us as we send blessings and joy to the children at our borders!

Susan Blackman               Mara Kaplan

President, WOTS              Chair of Programming, WOTS

Learn more about Worth Manifesto.