Congregation B’nai B’rith’s (CBB) annual Mitzvah Day celebrates the spirit of gratitude and giving back, 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 19. A dozen goodwill projects will be offered at Congregation B’nai B’rith, 1000 San Antonio Creek Road, Santa Barbara, and throughout the greater Santa Barbara community, in partnership with local nonprofit organizations.

Mitzvah is a Jewish tenet offering guidance on “how to live a good and meaningful life.” Among the 613 mitzvot (good deeds), many are meant to heal the world, be kind to each other, and protect the most vulnerable. Mitzvah Day allows all generations in the CBB community to come together, help others, strengthen the community, and engage in acts of kindness.

All events will be held outdoors, and follow all COVID-19 safety protocols. Events will be held in person at CBB as well as at offsite locations:

On-site events:

Saving Lives – Donate blood and help replenish the local banks. 

The Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation – Create a Good Night Kit — pillow, fairy lights lamp, teddy bear, and other gifts for children fighting cancer.  

Lunch for the Hungry – Assemble lunch bags and basic needs items to be delivered to the Santa Barbara Rescue Mission.

Scrap-booking for Dreamers – When a dreamer passes away, the Dream Foundation commits to make a and colorful page to remember the dream they fulfilled, and offer a memento for their families.  

Animal Mitzvah – Build and paint bird feeders, and organize donated blankets to be delivered to the Santa Maria animal shelter. Participants can learn about and pet snakes, bunnies and hissing cockroaches.

Recognizing Healthcare Workers – Bake cookies and make cards to deliver to 350 Cottage Hospital Healthcare workers who volunteered to vaccinate people throughout the pandemic. 

Unity Shoppe – Help assemble bags for kids and adults struggling to make ends meet. 

Operation Gratitude – Operation Gratitude is a nationwide nonprofit providing Americans with opportunities to honor service members. Participants can make paracord bracelets that are added to care packages and have proven to be lifesaving. 

Off-site Projects

Tree Gleaning – Join other nature lovers to glean private homes trees and donate all the produce to the Unity Shoppe.

Beach Clean Up – Help conserve the ocean by cleaning up downtown beaches to protect sea animals.

Mitzvah Day committee chairs include Annie Kempe, Florie Wachtenheim, Julie Wood, and Leah Weissbuch. Sponsors include Montecito Bank & Trust, Costco, Sunny Smiles, Trader Joe’s, Albertsons, Sprouts, and Ralphs.

For more information, visit https://cbbsb.org.