More than 200 community members turned out on a recent Sunday for Congregation B’nai B’rith’s (CBB) annual Mitzvah Day celebration — a day dedicated to giving back to the community and in particular this year, to focus on projects offering aid to Israel.
“Every year we respond to events impacting our world on both a local and global level,” said Lynn Altschul, who serves on CBB’s Board and spearheads the temple’s Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) committee.
Last year the organization raised awareness and funds for Ukraine. This year the focus has shifted to Israel, with projects that included IDF care packages, and a new grassroots effort called United We Bake, raising funds for Direct Relief’s humanitarian work in both Israel and Gaza.
“What we are doing today is a reminder of how easy it is to perform a mitzvah (good deed) and how potentially significant every small mitzvah can be, especially when each mitzvah is joined together to keep our world in good repair,” said Rabbi Steve Cohen.
“Tikkun Olam often gets translated into fixing the world, repairing the world or healing the world, but the way I’ve come to think of it is like a house that requires maintenance,” said Cohen. “A small act of preventative maintenance that we do on a daily basis — or a major act like we are doing here today, ensures that our shared world is kept in good repair.”
In fact, the spirit of giving back is something Congregation B’nai B’rith engages in throughout the year, with ongoing projects to provide food and housing support for those experiencing homelessness; heal the planet; and support educational initiatives in both Rwanda and Israel.
The Mitzvah Day projects, which took place throughout the community, included assembling Hanukkah bags for seniors; a blood donation drive; gift-wrapping and toy donations for Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation patients; compiling lunch bags for those experiencing food insecurity; spreading joy through music to residents at Hillside House and Vista del Monte; creating treat bags for animal shelters and care bags for community members; and collecting spare change for Israeli aid.
In addition, there were beautification projects with partner churches, such as repairing the Friendship Bridge, located between CBB and Community of Christ Church, and garden maintenance at Trinity Lutheran Church.
“Every day can be a mitzvah day,” said event co-chair Annie Kempe. “The fact that we are all together is meaningful, especially during these challenging times.”
Mitzvah Day allows all generations in the CBB community to come together, help others, strengthen community, and engage in acts of kindness. Many members of Trinity Lutheran Church also participated, spreading kindness and support throughout Santa Barbara.
Event chairs included Kempe, Phoebe Light and committee members Sherry Shultz, Charles Newman and Lynn Altschul.
CBB thanks sponsors Montecito Bank & Trust, Yardi Systems, Inc., Rincon Catering, and Heat Culinary.
For more, visit www.cbbsb.org.