The Jewish Camden Partnership
Monthly Mitzvot
Seeking Shalom
Homeless Hospitality
The Jewish Camden Partnership
The
Jewish Camden Partnership
(JCP)seeks to mobilize the abundant resources of the regional Jewish community in support of
Camden City's revitalization. Together with our neighbors, the JCP works to rebuild Camden's
once-thriving economic, cultural and social foundation. In partnership with community and
faith-based groups, schools and businesses, the JCP sponsors projects that both foster
downtown development and strengthen Camden's neighborhoods. As committed Jews, many of
whom have historical ties to the City of Camden, we are guided by the principles of
tzedek
(justice) and
tikkun olam (repairing the world). Through advocacy, volunteerism, mentorship
and investment, we believe that Camden can once again claim its rightful place as a city
that benefits all of its residents and the entire region.
NEW! The Jewish Camden Partnership announces new "green" initiative -
Join like-minded members of the community to recruit 250 restaurants and other food establishments to become GREEN partners
by donating their waste cooking oil to Camden GreenCycle and create a service learning project for Jewish and Camden
youth about global warming and alternative energy solutions!
Click here for more information.
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Monthly Mitzvot
Each year our congregants participate in a number of programs that have a tangible effect on
the lives of people who are struggling to survive. Among them are our High Holy Day Food Drive,
our Thanksgiving Turkey Drive, the Chanukah Bazaar Mitzvah Mall and Adopt-A-Box.
Contact
Ilyse Janove if you would like to participate in collection
and delivery of a mitzvah project.
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Seeking Shalom
Seeking Shalom was formed a number of years ago to bring programs to M'kor Shalom that educate
all congregants about the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians and work to support and
strengthen those individuals and groups who are actively working for peace. All Seeking Shalom
efforts are oriented toward figuring out what American Jews can do to help bring peace in the
Middle East.
The Reform Movement is on record supporting a two-state solution, and Seeking Shalom is always
glad to host speakers who are working to make that vision a reality. It has organized several
events with speakers from Rabbis for Human Rights, including Rabbi Brian Walt, Rabbi David
Forman and Arik Ascherman. It has also brought Professor Ian Lustick of the University of
Pennsylvania to our synagogue to speak about the history of the conflict and Amir Rosenfeld,
an officer in the Israeli army who refused to do his reserve duty in the occupied territories.
We hosted a program with speakers from the Bereaved Parents Forum, which is an organization of
Israelis and Palestinians who have lost close family members in the conflict and are now working
together for peace.
Seeking Shalom presented two major programs recently. In November 2006, Rob Levy, the Washington
representative of Brit Tzedek v'Shalom, Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace, spoke at
M'kor Shalom. In January 2007, Seeking Shalom and Brit Tzedek co-hosted a presentation
by Combatants for Peace, Israelis and Palestinians who formerly fought in the conflict
but now are working together non-violently to try to bring a peaceful solution. Please
contact
Sarah Rosenson if you'd like to participate
in future programs.
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Homeless Hospitality (IHOC)
For two weeks every winter, M'kor Shalom houses up to 12 homeless men in our Social Hall,
providing not only food and shelter, but also fellowship and support. M'kor Shalom has been
involved with the IHOC Hospitality Network since 1987, and is the only synagogue
(with 30 churches) that is part of this interfaith coalition.
We need volunteers to
prepare meals, host meals, be overnight hosts, provide transportation to meetings and the
gym, and just spend some time with our guests. Donations of books, magazines, towels,
board games, paper and pens, and food staples are also appreciated. To volunteer for the
IHOC Hospitality Program, contact
Rickie Cohen.
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A new sub-committee of Social Action was formed in Fall 2006 to promote awareness, action and
advocacy regarding global warming and the use of our natural resources. Over the coming months
it will explain ways that each of us in our own lives and our congregation as a whole can
play a bigger part in tikkun olam, repairing the world.
There are advocacy letters congregants can customize and send to our senators and
representatives, urging them to support environmental initiatives. 
Future plans include an energy audit of the synagogue, and Green Pages, with more information
and congregants' and kids' ideas for ways to be greener. Contact 
For over 20 years, members of M'kor Shalom have run the Ronald McDonald House in Camden over
the Christmas holiday. Our volunteers serve all of the administrative functions from the
morning of December 24 through the morning of December 26, thereby allowing the House staff
to enjoy time off. More important, our volunteers help to make the holiday special for the
families of ill children who need to stay close to Cooper Hospital. We make sure that it's a
well-functioning, warm and comforting home for families under great stress.
Our tasks include
answering telephones and doors, registering and checking families out of the House, as well as
providing holiday meals, organizing structured activities and informally mingling with the
guests. This is a wonderful mitzvah that can be shared as a family. Children who are school
age and above are welcome to participate, if they are accompanied by a parent. Contact
Interfaith seders, choir concerts and dinners in the sukkah are some of the
projects that our committee has undertaken in past years. Our next program will be a short
story discussion with Kaighn Avenue Baptist Church; for more information, contact