The four women behind the shul’s Tikkun Olam Initiative — Veronica Kaliski, Suzi Rosenstreich, Madelyn Rothman, and Cookie Slade — appeared on Lunch and Learn recently to update shul members on the “Chicken in the Pot” project and also to introduce two new initiatives to debut this spring.

The highly successful program to distribute whole chickens ready for roasting to needy families brought relief to dozens of CAST recipients struggling with job loss and isolation during the pandemic. During the second phase of the project, continuing this month, chickens will be distributed to another 60 CAST families, the group said. 

 

New initiatives

With spring about to spring forth, the Tikkun Olam initiative is looking to the planters and gardeners in our shul for participation in two new projects: “Grow A Row” asks vegetable gardeners to do just that — grow an extra row of vegetables that can be donated to the CAST food bank. 

In a related project, Tikkun Olam will provide large containers, potting soil, and seedlings to CAST families who want to “Grow Their Own” vegetables and herbs.

 

How to help

To help with “Chicken in the Pot,” write a check to Congregation Tifereth Israel, with Tikkun Olam written on the memo line. Send your check to CTI, P.O. Box 659, Greenport, NY, 11944. Or, to pay by credit card, visit the shul’s website (www.tiferethisraelgreenport.org), click on the “Donate” tab on the home page, scroll down to Tikkun Olam, fill out the form, and submit. 

Each donation of $18 will purchase four chickens and, for your generosity, your name will be entered into a monthly raffle for a dozen locally-farmed organic eggs. The group congratulates Ellen Jaffe, the first month’s raffle winner.

To help with the “Grow A Row” or “Grow Their Own” projects, call the shul at 631-477-0232 and request a volunteer to pick up your contributions of veggies and/or containers and soil.

The foursome behind the Tikkun Olam Initiative told Lunch and Learners that the positive responses they have received from the community reflect positively on the shul, and have inspired the new initiatives.