Mitzvot in Elul Report

This past Elul, which coincided with most of September, members of Park Avenue Synagogue prepared for the new Jewish year by participating in a variety of mitzvah projects. The arms and committees joined with the Tikkun Olam committee to organize “Mitzvot in Elul” that included facilitating cemetery visits, donating school supplies, and participating as a congregation in two 9/11 day of service activities. 

9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance

There was a strong PAS showing among the more than 800 people who filled the JCC of Manhattan for the tenth anniversary of 9/11. Our team of families, led by David Phillips, packed bags for seniors, cooked meals for the homeless, wrote cards for soldiers, made toys for pets waiting to be adopted, donated blood and registered for bone marrow donation. Our children really appreciated the value of serving those in need on this day, and understood what it means to be part of a city that comes together to remember. This event was organized by Mitzvah of the Month.

DOROT Rosh Hashanah Package Delivery and 9/11 Day of Service

On Sunday, September 11, members of the Singles Committee were among almost 600 volunteers who delivered food packages and visited homebound seniors as part of DOROT’s 9/11 Day of Service and Rosh Hashanah Package Delivery.

Yorkville Common Pantry Breakfast

A great way to start the day! That is what members of the Young Couples Group thought when they arrived bright and early on Monday morning, September 12, to serve a hot breakfast to several hundred of the clients at the Yorkville Common Pantry. It is a mitzvah to help the needy among us and not only during the month of Elul. This opportunity exists all year long for those able to donate their time.

Project Ezra

On Sunday, September 18, Misha Avramoff, co-director of Project Ezra, led a group of PAS members on a tour of the Lower East Side, organized by Men’s Club as part of their work with Project Ezra. The tour offered a fascinating narrative as well as visits to many Jewish landmarks, including The Forward building, a 4-story mural depicting the Jewish labor movement and a shop with delicious falafel and donuts.

Yorkville Common Pantry Grocery Packaging

On Thursday, September 22, about a dozen volunteers, mostly from Sisterhood and Women's Evening Group, met at YCP to fill grocery bags with ingredients for nutritious meals, including fresh fruits, vegetables and meat. Packages are distributed to the hundreds of clients who arrive on one of four assigned pick-up days every week. "I was really impressed with what YCP does and never fully realized how important it was," one participant said. "It was a wonderful experience and opportunity" said another.