First Hebrew’s Social Action committee is dedicated to helping those in need in our local community. We also provide a forum for informational programming on issues like gun safety and drug abuse. We have also sponsored Refugee Shabbat services, highlighting the issues of those who come to the United States after fleeing challenges in their countries of origin to seek a better life here. We have also done a series of Chesed (Lovingkindness) Challenges, involving our community in addressing needs that arise in our larger Peekskill/Cortlandt area. Our most recent challenge from August 2024 was collecting new backpacks and school supplies for students in need in the Peekskill School District. We team up with the Sisterhood for the annual Operation Isaiah to collect food for the local food pantry- in 2024 collecting over 800 pounds of food donated by our First Hebrew Community!
A crucial part of our mission is providing monthly meals (second Monday of the month) for the local Soup Kitchen for approximately 80 people. Meals can no longer be prepared by outside groups or individuals so we provide financial resources for the soup kitchen to feed those in need. In September 2024, our social action committee and congregation were recognized with a proclamation by NY State Senator Pete Harckham, of the 40 th district. We were honored to recognized for our efforts on behalf of those in need.
We always welcome new volunteers to this committee. Any assistance you might wish to provide, whether by donating money, scrip gift cards to local supermarkets, or helping to plan a program is appreciated. If you would like to help in any way, please contact Fran Olmsted, Social Action Committee chair at (845) 424-4077 or oesenv@aol.com.
