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Social Action

Social Action provides an opportunity to give back to the community.

Temple Beth El’s Needy Family Fund was started in 1987 when our then Rabbi, David Kaplan, approached Sue Herst, our Third VP in charge of Membership and Social Action, about the needs of families in our own Jewish Community and in the greater Newark Community. We started collecting items for these families as we became aware of them.

In 1988, Sue was contacted by social workers at the Newark Day Nursery. She worked with them and 48 families to help fulfill their needs. That is when our program took off into greater outreach.

Over time, the Needy Family Fund expanded to help families during the holidays. Sue managed this program for ten years until she became president of the Temple Beth El Board of Directors. Sydell Glassner took over managing the Needy Family Holiday Fund at this time and once again the donations and distributions grew. There were times when Sydell and her team filled the Temple Beth El attic to the rafters with methodically organized bags of items donated by TBE members or purchased with Social Action funds. Items collected include food, clothing, shoes, cooking supplies, toys, and whatever else is needed. Sue took leadership of the program again in 2019.

Now our services are provided to a host of outreach programs. Social Action volunteers regularly prepare and serve hot meals at Hope Dining Room. Throughout the year, “Go bags” consisting of a luncheon style meal with protein, water, juice, fruit and dessert are assembled and delivered to the Newark Empowerment Center.

For more information, please contact Temple Beth El, or Sharon Giannotti.

Hope Dining Room - Hope Dining Room provides a noontime meal for all who are hungry – no questions asked. It is located in the social hall of the Kingswood United Methodist Church on the corner of Marrows Road and Brookside Boulevard and is served by various churches in our community.

Newark Empowerment Center - In cooperation with the Friendship House, the Newark Empowerment Center provides assistance to the homeless in the Newark Delaware area. Homeless is defined as anyone who doesn't have control over their surroundings: living on the street, in transitory housing, with friends or family, or in transitional housing. Our volunteers' strategies are to work with the poor to alleviate their current hardships and to help them prepare for the future.