PROJECTS

Please read through the project options below or view the Mitzvah Day Project Quick Guide PDF to learn about all 20 project options before completing registration. You are responsible for transportation to the project location. All youth in 5th grade or below should be accompanied by a grownup. Project leads will follow up with those who register in the weeks ahead of Mitzvah Day.

Assembling Health Care Kits for Planned Parenthood

• Volunteers will help pack menstrual care and safer sex kits for distribution through Planned Parenthood.
• Requirements:  Ages 15 and up
• Location:  TBE room 109 Frank Adult Lounge
• TBE Project Lead:  Drea Malarkey, TBE Reproductive Rights Action Team
• Jewish Values:  shmirat haguf, taking care of the body

Bags, Bath and Beyond

• In this family-friendly project, we'll learn about the local refugee community, along with decorating bags and filling them with household items needed by the moms in the Northport Afghan Women's English language learning group.
• Requirements:  Kindergarten and up; young kids should have a grown-up with them
• Location:  TBE room 106
• TBE Project Lead:  Lynn Silverman & Erica Serlin, Immigrant and Refugee Rights Action Team co-chairs
• Jewish Values:  hachnasat or'chim, hospitality

Bone Marrow Donor Registry

• You’ll be answering questions and registering those eligible for the bone marrow donor registry including collecting their cheek swabs. All materials will be provided by NMDP (formerly Be The Match). Training will be provided.
• Requirements:  Great for those who prefer sitting
• Location:  TBE Swarsensky Social Hall
• TBE Project Lead:  Staci Rieder, Mitzvah Day co-chair
• Jewish Values:  pikuach nefesh, saving a life

Buckthorn Removal at Camp Shalom

• We will help care for our Goodman Jewish Community Campus by taking part in removal of buckthorn, an invasive species. Please wear closed-toe shoes, wear long pants and long sleeves, prepare to spend a few hours outside, and bring leather gloves.
• Requirements:  Teens and up
• Location:  Goodman Jewish Community Campus, 7762 County Rd PD, Verona, WI 53593
• TBE Project Lead:  Sam Toso
• Jewish Values:  shmirat hateva, protecting nature

Capitol Lakes Nail Salon

• Manicures for Capitol Lakes residents! Previous experience with painting nails is helpful. Nail polish will be provided and volunteers are welcome to bring additional polish options or supplies. Kids in 3rd grade and up who can polish nails or schmooze with seniors are welcome with a grown-up.
• Requirements:  3rd grade (with a grown-up) and older
• Location:  Capitol Lakes, 333 W. Main St., Madison
• TBE Project Lead:  Jessica Rieder
• Jewish Values:  kibud z'keinim, honoring elders; l'hiyot chaver, being a friend; shmirat haguf, taking care of the body; g'milut chasadim, acts of lovingkindness

Caring Committee Connection Cards

• Help the TBE Caring Committee reach out to congregants and families facing challenging times. We will be writing and sending get well, sympathy, thinking of you, or other cards to support members going through an illness or loss of a loved one.
• Requirements: High school or older
• Location:  TBE Weinstein Community Court
• TBE Project Lead:  TBE Caring Committee
• Jewish Values:  g'milut chasadim, acts of lovingkindness; l'hiyot chaver, being a friend

Cooking for Catholic Multicultural Center

• Gather in the Temple kitchen to cook a meal for neighbors in need at the Catholic Multicultural Center. We will provide the ingredients and recipe—you provide the cooking skill and camaraderie (and the cleanup).
• Requirements:  High school or older
• Location:  TBE Kitchen
• TBE Project Lead:  Sue Levy
• Jewish Values:  ma'achal r'evim, feeding the hungry

Dane County Humane Society's Thrift Store Cleanup

• Help clean up and organize the Dane County Humane Society's Thrift Store on the West Side. Adult size latex gloves provided.
• Requirements:  Age 7 and up; children should have an adult with them
• Location:  DCHS Thrift Store, 6904 Watts Road, Madison, WI 53719
• TBE Project Lead:  Jo Golden, Tova Sacks, Becca Youngerman
• Jewish Values:  g'milut chasadim, acts of lovingkindness

Diaper Duty

• We'll sort donated diapers into size groups and bundle them up for delivery to the Village Diaper Bank.
• Requirements:  All ages; younger children should have an adult with them
• Location:  TBE room 105
• TBE Project Lead:  Nick Nunez, Families with Young Children co-chair
• Jewish Values:  shmirat haguf, taking care of the body

Fiber Arts Schmooze Community Knit-a-thon for Knitters' Guild

• We will gather together to knit and/or crochet simple projects that will be donated to Madison Knitters' Guild, who will distribute the projects throughout the Madison area to those in need. If you’d like to complete projects in advance, please reach out to Melissa to get pattern information and drop off completed projects in the TBE office during regular office hours.
• Requirements:  Know how to knit or crochet
• Location:  Weinstein Community Court
• TBE Project Lead:  Melissa Osborne, Kathy Heady, & Tracey Fine, TBE Fiber Arts Community
• Jewish Values:  g'milut chasadim, acts of lovingkindness; n'divut, generosity

Keys to Success

• Make key chains with inspirational/motivational quotes by famous African American men, to give to formerly incarcerated men who are returning to the community and their own apartments, potentially with a Dignity Basket of personal care and hygiene supplies. We will also create magnet frames that will be added to the Mother's Day baskets that are given to African American mothers at the annual celebratory Mother's Day Brunch hosted by F.O.S.T.E.R. of Dane County and Nehemiah.
• Requirements:  Kindergarten and up; younger kids must have a grown-up with them
• Location:  TBE room B2 & B3
• TBE Project Lead:  Betsy Abramson, Racial Justice Action Team co-chair
• Jewish Values:  lifnei aver, being inclusive; tzedek tirdof, pursuing justice

Landscaping at DAIS

• We will be cleaning up the perimeter of Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS). This will consist of weeding, trimming bushes, and cleaning up any debris that is left over from winter. We do have gloves and knee pads but please feel free to bring your own items. Make sure to wear appropriate clothing for the weather as we will be working outside and it may be chilly/muddy. *DAIS is a confidential and secure facility. Participants will be required to sign a Visitor Confidentiality Form when they arrive.
• Requirements:  High school or older; should be able to bend and stand, and be able to lift approx. 10–20 lbs for a short period of time
• Location:  Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS), 2102 Fordem Avenue, Madison, WI 53704
• TBE Project Lead:  Eve Siegel
• Jewish Values:  shmirat hateva, protecting nature; g'milut chasadim, acts of lovingkindness

Meals for Returning Citizens

• Make lasagne or other pasta dishes plus a dessert for men who were formerly incarcerating getting set up in new apartments.
• Requirements:  Third grade (with a grown-up) and older
• Location:  Home of Marsha Mansfield (address will be shared with those who register for project)
• TBE Project Lead:  Marsha Mansfield, Social Action Committee co-chair and Racial Justice Action Team
• Jewish Values:  hachnasat or'chim, hospitality; g'milut chasadim, acts of lovingkindness

Men's Clothing Sort and Store

• Collect, sort, and store men's clothing for donation to men who are returning to the community after incarceration. Sort items into categories and by size, tag them, and put them in storage bins or on hangers, depending on items. Deliver to organization on McKenna Road.
• Requirements:  3rd grade and up
• Location:  TBE room B2 & B3
• TBE Project Lead:  Ken Felz, Men's Club Representative; Betsy Abramson, Racial Justice Action Team co-chair
• Jewish Values:  lifnei aver, being inclusive; tzedek tirdof, pursuing justice

Mensches Spreading Mulch

• We will clean up and spread mulch at Beit Olamim Cemetery. Please wear closed-toe shoes and clothes that can get dirty or wet. Bring gardening gloves if you have. Park on Westfield Road and enter cemetery by foot between the columns at the Beit Olamin entrance. Organized by the TBE Men’s Club in partnership with the Jewish Burial Association of Madison.
• Requirements:  High school or older
• Location:  Beit Olamim Cemetery, 7302 Mineral Point Road, Madison
• TBE Project Lead:  Marty Megeff, Men’s Club
• Jewish Values:  g'milut chasadim, acts of lovingkindness

Mitzvah Day Mensches

• Help make Mitzvah Day possible and assist the organizers.
  9:45–11:15 am: Set up for lunch and prep for Kehillah Café
  10:00–11:20 am: Pick up pizza from Rocky Rococo on Beltline & Ian's Pizza on State Street
  11:15 am–12:00 pm: Greeter
  12:45–1:30 pm: Clean up from lunch and set up Kehillah Café
  3:45–4:45 pm: Kehillah Café and Mitzvah Day cleanup
• Requirements:  Teens and up
• Location: TBE
• TBE Project Lead:  Lynn Renner, Mitzvah Day Co-Chair
• Jewish Values:  hachnasat or'chim, hospitality

PJ Library Family Mitzvah Project for Ronald McDonald House

• We will be putting together care bags for kids and families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Madison, including making cards. Ronald McDonald House keeps families with sick children together and near the care and resources they need.
• Requirements:  Children of all ages
• Location:  TBE room B7
• TBE Project Lead:  Adina Gasser, PJ Library, Jewish Federation of Madison
• Jewish Values:  hachnasat or'chim, hospitality; g'milut chasadim, acts of lovingkindness

Project Linus Blankets

• Assemble fleece blankets that will be distributed to babies and children in need through the Project Linus Madison chapter in partnership with local hospitals.
• Requirements:  Must be able to tie a knot in fabric; younger children must have an adult with them
• Location:  TBE Weinstein Community Court
• TBE Project Lead:  Lindsay Suttin
• Jewish Values:  hachnasat or'chim, hospitality; g'milut chasadim, acts of lovingkindness

Pull Invasives from the Cedar Buffer

• Work on invasive plant removal on the UW-Madison Arboretum property across from Temple Beth El (an area that is called the Cedar Buffer). Wear long pants, wear sturdy shoes or boots (this is a must!), and dress for the weather (fleece is not recommended—burrs stick to it). Bring your own water bottle and insect repellent (and EpiPen if allergic to bee stings). The Arboretum will provide the tools, training, and gloves. This project will be canceled if it is raining or snowing.
• Requirements:  Must be able to handle the physical work
• Location:  Meet outside the Arbor Street doors of Temple
• TBE Project Lead:  Marta Karlov, Environment and Climate Change Action Team
• Jewish Values:  shmirat ha'adamah, taking care of the Earth

Ronald McDonald House Cooking

• Together, in the kitchen at Ronald McDonald House, we’ll prepare dinner for about 30 residents. Ingredients and recipe provided. You provide the cooking skill, camaraderie, and cleanup. Ronald McDonald House keeps families with sick children together and near the care and resources they need.
• Requirements:  Participants must wear masks and be vaccinated; some cooking skills needed
• Location:  Ronald McDonald House, 2716 Marshall Ct., Madison
• TBE Project Lead:  Jane Armstrong & Todd Giesfeldt
• Jewish Values:  bikur cholim, caring for and visiting the sick; hachnasat or'chim, hospitality; g'milut chasadim, acts of lovingkindness

Spring Cleanup at Camp Shalom

• Help get Camp Shalom and the Goodman Jewish Community Campus cleaned up before the summer. Take a trail walk to look for misplaced supplies and trash. Prepare sports equipment at both camps. Do some light gardening work (gloves are available for kids; adults need to bring their own; please bring rakes if able). Reset gardening sheds. Move/build items like picnic benches and four-square volleyball.
• Requirements:  Kindergarten and up preferred; all ages welcome, youth with a grownup.
• Location:  Goodman Jewish Community Campus, 7762 County Rd PD, Verona
• TBE Project Lead:  Leslie de Lange, TBE Youth Education Committee
• Jewish Values:  nedivut, be generous; shmirat hateva, protecting nature