Support Those in Need

by Cathy Blum, Chair, Sustain Committee

Dear Members of Temple Beth El,

The High Holidays are quickly approaching. As you know, our tradition asks us to remember people in need during this time of reflection and atonement. Do you remember when we used to give out paper bags and asked each of you to take an empty bag, fill it with canned goods, and return it to Temple so it could be donated to the community food bank?

In March 2021, the Temple Board voted to rename the endowment fund formerly known as the Temple Beth-El Food Pantry for the Needy to the Sustain Endowment Fund. Since 2021, Sustain has donated thousands of dollars to local non-profit agencies that help people in need of clothing, food, help with payment of utilities during the winter and so many other challenges people face in life. While most donations stay in St. Joseph County, donations are made to national and international Jewish Agencies who support those facing life’s necessities due to conflict here and abroad, earthquakes, and weather-related events.

The Sustain Committee meets about four times each year to review the amount of money available for donations and selects non-profits to receive these donations. In fiscal year 23-24, Sustain donated around $23,500. Agencies that have received our donations over the years include: La Casa de Amistad, Cultivate Food Rescue, The Jewish Federation of North America, The Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley, Northern Indiana Food Bank, Portage Township Trustee Utility Program, The World Union of Progressive Judaism and the United Religious Community for resettlement expenses.

Please consider sending a donation to Sustain or another Temple Endowment Fund listed on our website or in the Temple Directory, in honor of the upcoming High Holidays.