Ahavas Israel Book Group

If you buy the ebook, you can get a discount off the Amazon price at https://payhip.com/b/XBOmh.The print version is available at Amazon or your favorite bookseller.

Gemilut Hasadim/Social Action Projects

 CAI supports the community in which we live. Be a part of it:

• The Center for Community Transformation is a collection of organizations working primarily with young people of color. Their mission is to develop, rebuild, and restore that sector of our city.  If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Rabbi Krishef at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 616-949-2840.

• The Corners of the Field Garden on the Northeast side of the building grows food for the Temple Emanuel Food bank and the Baxter Community Center.
Contact: Allyson Cole-Strauss, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (616) 406-6536.

• We are a support congregation for the Family Promise of Grand Rapids, helping Trinity Lutheran church feed families who find safe shelter in the church about four times a year.
Contact: Allyson Cole-Strauss, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (616) 406-6536.

• We participate in the National Wildlife Federation Sacred Grounds Program with All Souls Congregation, and have devoted a plot of land behind the Social Hall as a native plant and wildlife habitat.
Contact: Diane Rayor, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (616) 791-8929.

• We are a member of the Grand Rapids Climate Resolution Coalition, working towards achieving community-wide carbon neutrality for Grand Rapids by 2030.
Contact: David Hast, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., (616) 791-8929.

Environmental Awareness / Social Action

The Imperative of Environmental Quality of Life for All: Jewish Perspectives and Resources
Karen Libman and Diane Rayor
We still have an opportunity to join in the “Exodus Alliance,” which began March 19 and continues to May 6, with faith communities from across the world mobilizing for a livable planet. See the March Voice article with more details and visit the website at The Shalom Center https://theshalomcenter.org/.

We encourage participation in their actions during Pesach and checking out Haggadot that center the Earth and Justice, like the Earth Seder or the Freedom Seder Haggadah at
https://opensiddur.org/compilations/table-guides-and-haggadot/passover-seder/the-freedom-seder-haggadah-for-passover-by-the-shalom-center-and-rabbi-arthur-waskow/.

In January, I attended a session in the Jewish Climate Fest about engaging young people in the struggle to mitigate the damage from climate change. The panel spoke about young folk caring about issues more than institutions, having a very broad definition of giving such as within mutual aid and community networks, and focusing on community. For folks to engage there needs to be transparency and trust, as well as building hope and empowerment. This message seems to me to be true of many people of all ages.

That panel also recommended the book All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis, edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K. Wilkinson. That sounds worth exploring. How can we help our congregation become more active in environmental work? Join international actions such as the Exodus Alliance? Partner with Temple Emanuel or All Souls for specific local projects?

In April, notice the Sacred Grounds native garden budding around the back patio. Let Diane know if you’d like to get your hands dirty.

Family Promise

We provide meals and support to our partner congregation in the Family Promise shelter program, Trinity Lutheran Church, 2700 Fulton St E. Please help - we need volunteers to bring part of a meal and participate in organizing children’s activities. To help, contact Mort Hoffman, 616-949-6088 or 616-361-2738.

Delving Into Our History