There are many organizations in Israel dedicated to tackling the environmental challenges of the region. Learn more about the issues they tackle and how you can get involved by visiting their websites. Check out the URJ's Greening Reform Judaism website for more information.

Porchlight is a not-for-profit, volunteer agency. Porchlight provides emergency shelter, food, employment services, counseling, and affordable transitional and permanent housing. Temple Beth El cooks, delivers and serves a meal to the clients of Porchlight on the 5th Wed. of each month. There are many volunteer opportunities available including:

o SHOP on Tues/Wed (1 person approx 1 hour),

o COOK @ BE on Wed between 4:00-5:00 (2-3 people)

o BAKE@ home 1-2 dozen cookies/bars

o TRANSPORT food from TBE to Grace Episcopal Church between 6:00 - 7:00 pm

o SERVE@ Grace Episcopal Church Men’s Shelter between 7:00-9:00 pm (4-5 people)

Here is a list of the future dates that we will be providing dinners to Porchlight:

Dec. 29, 2010
March 30, 2011
June 29, 2011
August 31, 2011

If you are interested in volunteering please email Stefanie at program@templebethelmadison.org.

Porchlight's primary mission is to meet the needs of homeless households in the Dane County area through services designed to foster independence and the transition into permanent housing and employment. Porchlight is a ministry of concerned people committed to ensuring that all residents of Dane County have a place of shelter, freeing them from the fears and intimidation of living on the streets, and offering them respect and dignity as they search for solutions to their dilemmas.

Road Home (formerly Interfaith Hospitality Network) of the Madison area serves homeless families with children in collaboration with local faith communities and organizations. Temple Beth El hosts Road Home families for a week at a time in our building. Together, with members of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, we provide volunteers to fill each of the following roles during our weeks of hosting the IHN guests. Please note that children together with their parents are welcome to help out with this very important mitzvah.

Temple will be hosting IHN guests the weeks of:

Dec. 12-19, 2010
April 10-17, 2011
June 19-26, 2011
August 14-21, 2011
October 23-30, 2011

If you are interested in volunteering please email Stefanie at program@templebethelmadison.org.

Dinner Set Up (5 - 7 pm) : 2 - 3 adults needed (dinner already provided), greet families, eat dinner with guests, and help clean up.
Evening Activities (7 - 9 pm) : 2 - 3 adults needed - participate in activities with guests and their children.
Overnight (9 pm - 7 am) : 2 adults needed - stay overnight in own room and help with breakfast the next morning. Families leave on the van at 7 am during the week, 8 am on the weekends.
Dinner Drop Off - Volunteers are needed (4 per night) to prepare and bring part of the meal for the evening - main dish, sides, juice, dessert, etc. Meal coordinators will call volunteers with what they should bring. Food must be at Temple by 5 pm on the day it is needed - food should be ready to eat with the exception of being warmed.
Set Up : The first Sunday, early afternoon - volunteers help bring guests' belongings into rooms and get the area ready for the families.
Take Down : The last Sunday, early morning - volunteers clean up classrooms and load up families' belongings to go to next site.
Groceries: Volunteers buy groceries needed for the week. Volunteers will be called before the week begins as to what they should bring. Items should be brought to Temple by the first Sunday night.
Mid-Week Groceries : Volunteers will be contacted by coordinators as there is a need to buy groceries/supplies during the week.

The Road Home is committed to the empowerment and long-term success of children and families, to serving each family with dignity and respect and to achieving results in helping families improve their lives.