The following is from Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel.
As part of its ongoing commitment to supporting the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges (IFPO), Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel (TSTI) in South Orange recently hosted two food drives and took part in the IFPO’s Orangechella event, a fundraiser inspired by the annual Coachella music festival.
More than 100 members of TSTI’s Women’s Connection donated bags of non-perishable food in lieu of an admission fee to one of the group’s evening events. The temple’s Religious School students and their families also donated canned and boxed food, which a group of about 20 parent volunteers helped to sort for delivery to the IFPO. In addition, Rabbi Daniel Cohen offered to match financial contributions by TSTI families.
The two events, which honored the Reform synagogue’s Rabbi Ellie Miller for her social justice advocacy, her longtime involvement with the IFPO and her 16 years of service to the TSTI community, provided 150 bags of food and raised $3,600 to purchase food for the pantry’s clients. The Women’s Connection also commissioned the building of a permanent food collection bin for the Religious School lobby, to continue the synagogue’s commitment for years to come of helping those in Orange and East Orange who face food insecurity.
Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel volunteers sort donations for Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges.
In addition, TSTI Hebrew High students Carly Jones and Amy Nadel of Short Hills joined IFPO Teen Board members at the pantry’s Orangechella event. The fundraiser, which featured teen performers from area schools, family friendly activities and food and beverages, raised over $7,000 in donations to purchase food for the IFPO.
TSTI is among four houses of worship that run the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges, which provides supplemental and emergency food to low-income residents of Orange and East Orange.
“The needs of food insecure residents in the communities served by the IFPO are great and ongoing,” said TSTI Rabbi Daniel Cohen. “The TSTI community is dedicated to supporting the pantry twelve months of the year in its vital mission to feed all who come through its doors.”
Carly Jones & Amy Nadel of Short Hills help with food pantry donations.
Temple Sharey Tefilo-Israel, located at 432 Scotland Road in South Orange, is a vibrant Reform congregation that offers Early Childhood Education, Religious School, teen programs, lifelong learning for adults, and a full complement of religious services and cultural programs each month. TSTI serves member families from Maplewood, the Oranges, Livingston, Millburn, Short Hills and surrounding areas. For more information, visit www.tsti.org.
