Lab/Shul Community,
As we begin 2021 and a new political moment in our country, I invite all of us to take some time this weekend diving deep into the lessons we can learn from MLK’s work and legacy.
Volunteering can be a great starting place to honor MLK’s legacy, and I hope that you will join us in our volunteer efforts with Repair the World this weekend:
- Free Minds // Monday, Jan 18 // 6:30-8:00pm
Learn about mass incarceration in our country and read and respond to poetry written by incarcerated youth who are part of the “Free Minds Book Club.”
- Card Making for Seniors with DOROT // Sunday, Jan 17 // 11:00am-12:00pm
Bring your children to decorate cards and letters for seniors experiencing social isolation during the pandemic. - Hunger Free America Phone Bank // Multiple Shifts
Learn about food insecurity in NYC, Judaism’s perspective on this justice issue, and phonebank with Hunger Free America to provide families with critical information about hunger relief programs, including Pandemic-EBT benefits.
At the same time, I believe it is a disservice to MLK’s legacy to offer service this weekend without following it up with continued commitment and action to address economic and racial inequities in our country. Next week Lab/Shul will kick off From Separation to Reparation 2021, a six-month journey focusing on the legacy of Howard Thurman, leading theologian, civic rights activist and author, to deepen our understanding of history, and continue our commitment to solidarity and systemic change.
Let’s use this weekend to ground ourselves in the here and now, and to make a plan for how we will show up for our neighbors and communities moving forward. Let’s let this weekend serve as a call to ask ourselves how we are making our communities as everybody-friendly as possible.
With Love,
Sam Hipschman
Director of Community Organizing & Engagement
Framing Intentional Volunteering
Volunteering is not about you.
You are offering a critical service and much needed support, and that is so important and appreciated. There might be times when you’re waiting around, or something feels boring, and that is okay.
You can offer care and compassion to another person without knowing anything about their story.
In directly interacting with people who are receiving a service, remember that people may not want to share much about why they are there. You can convey infinite love and care while having a conversation about something as mundane as the weather, it’s all about tone and intention.
Try not to make assumptions.
All sorts of people access volunteer-driven services, and it doesn’t mean anything about someone’s background, life history or current circumstances. All it means is that they can benefit from what’s being offered in that moment. Treat every person you interact with as the dignified and special person that they are.
