Get Involved

    Social Action is at the heart of our community. For years, we have partnered with local organizations like Food on Foot, Meals on Wheels, SMMUSD, and Jewish Family Services to help our unhoused neighbors and provide food to those in need. 

    Our Social Action team organize many drives, actions, and learning opportunities throughout the year to lead our community in repairing the world. 

    If you are interested in getting involved, please email Ari. Additionally, if you know of opportunities or want to organize additional activities, please let us know. 

    Ari Hahyar,
    Social Action Committee Chair

    We at BSS are a community that supports one another through life’s highs and lows. Whether someone just gave birth, had surgery, lost a loved one, or are simply feeling a little lonely, our caring committee can provide a meal, organize a meal train, send a card, grab a few things from the grocery story, offer rides, or even pay a visit. 

    Our caring committee is one of the most important parts of our community and we would love for you to join us in caring for our fellow congregants. If you are interested in helping, please email us and we will keep you in the loop when a member of our community needs our help. 

    Additionally, if you know of someone in our community who may need support from the caring committee or Rabbi Alex, please email caring@bethshirshalom.org so that we can be in touch to see how we can support them.

    Leslie Frischer and Layne Lepes,
    Caring Committee Co-Chairs

    Chavurot are small groupings of Temple members who share Jewish experiences together. Chavurah members may be linked by any number of factors, such as new congregants, parents of religious school students, young singles, empty nesters, and senior members.

    Generally, Chavurot gather once every 6-8 weeks for Shabbat, life cycle events, or Jewish holidays, but chavurah members choose their own activities. They can be pot-luck dinners, building sukkot, attending services, discussing issues of faith, going apple picking, attending concerts or plays, or engaging in Tikkun Olam activities. It’s your choice!

    If you would like to be matched in one of our new Chavurot groups, please email our Director of Engagement, Lori Daitch, at lori@bethshirshalom.org

    Marlene Cole and Amy Speigel,
    Chavurot Co-Chairs

    Westside Jews is our young adults group for those in their 20s, 30s and beyond, catered to those seeking social and cultural Jewish experiences. Rabbi Alex founded Westside Jews with his friend Rabbi Daniel Sher at Kehillat Israel in the Pacific Pallisades to address the void of gatherings for 20s & 30s on the Westside.  A welcoming environment where Jews can meet one another, Westside Jews gathers for activities ranging from happy hours, to comedy clubs, to Shabbat dinners and everything in between. If hanging out and doing Jewish sounds appealing to you, email us here to get on our mailing list.