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To learn more about Beth Tzedec's values and vision, click HERE.
“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands–one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” —Audrey Hepburn
There are diverse opportunities to use your skills and energy to volunteer at Beth Tzedec. We are looking for people who want to create a positive difference by getting involved in many short or long-term projects and committees. You will help us expand our ability to benefit our community and build on our core values, while deepening your connection with other members.
To access the Volunteer Opportunities registration form, click HERE.
Would you like to help us develop spiritual programs and support for our members?
We need a Steering Committee for the Centre for Spiritual Well-Being
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Reports to Rabbi Fryer Bodzin
The Centre will provide activities that provide and promote spiritual support for members experiencing e.g. living with disabilities, bereavement, substance issues, and other challenges. The Steering Committee will help establish the Centre’s mission statement, develop a needs analysis, and advise on programming issues.
- This position will suit members who have experience in a helping profession, or who have worked in a volunteer capacity with social service organizations.
- Four monthly meetings to start; position may continue.
As a Gen-Mem (20s and 30s), would you like to be part of the leadership team?
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Reports to Yacov Fruchter
We’re looking for young members who will help to develop, organize, and evaluate programs for the Gen-Mem crowd (who do not have children), to be the hands-on people to assist at events and reach out to new members. This is your opportunity to make our younger community grow. Meetings will be every 6 weeks throughout the year; programs and events will happen as scheduled.
Would you like to help develop and implement innovative approaches to supplementary Jewish education?
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Reports to Cantor Audrey Klein
The Beth Tzedec Congregational School engages students from JK/SK to Grade 7 from our congregation and the greater Toronto Jewish community. The steering committee will help evaluate current practices, explore new educational opportunities, and be ambassadors for a strong supplementary school program. We need your enthusiasm and expertise.
- This committee will suit members with elementary and middle school-aged children as well as current or past/retired teachers and education professionals.
- Four to six meetings per year to start, plus additional committee work; involvement may continue.
Refugees need and want connections to help them integrate into Canadian life. Here are some ways you can help our own Eritrean refugee family with as much or as little time as you can afford.
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Reports to Yacov Fruchter
Connect with the four kids…
- Tutor the high-school-age students (Grades 10 and 11) in math and language, every week during the school year—can be online or in person. (High school peer tutors can get community service credits.)
- Help the two older kids (20 and 23 yrs. old) with English conversation. Weekly or bi-weekly—can be online or in person.
- Help the kids write resumes, search for and apply for summer jobs.
- Take the kids to outdoor activities (e.g., swimming, soccer, hiking) and/or recreational/cultural activities (e.g., outdoor concerts, street festivals)—once a month.
(High school students can get community service credits.)
Connect with the parents…
- Help the parents improve their conversational English. No teaching—just chatting with them 30 minutes a week—can be online or in person.
- Help the dad with his job search (identify appropriate jobs and share his resume).
Connect with the family…
- Accompany family members to medical appointments.
Would you like to mentor individuals or families who are new to the Jewish people?
We need individuals or families to “buddy” with new or prospective Jews by Choice (JBCs)
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Reports to Rabbi Fryer Bodzin
Volunteers will include new JBCs in some Shabbat and holidays, answer questions about their own Jewish practices, and help acclimate the JBC into a comfortable familiarity with Jewish daily life.
- Individuals, couples and families who want to form caring mentoring relationships with those who are new to Judaism and Jewish practices.
- Rabbi Fryer Bodzin will match up suitable volunteers/JBCs.
- Ongoing.
Can you help us make a warm, inviting, safe and fun Shabbat experience for our youngest generation?
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Reports to Penina Hoffnung
Every Saturday morning, the Youth and Family team provides an engaging age-appropriate Shabbat experience for children ages one and a half to age nine who play, pray and snack together.
- You should be a teen or adult who loves being around children, singing, praying, reading, playing with them.
- Saturday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., at least twice a month
Can you help us organize programming for our monthly Family Shabbat dinners?
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Reports to Penina Hoffnung
Hundreds of members participate in our popular Friday night Family Shabbat Experience each month. It’s more than just dinner: there are family activities and crafts, family-friendly prayers, after-dinner special activities for the kids, and after-dessert monitoring their free play. We need responsible, kid-loving teens and adults to facilitate great programming for all those participants.
- You should like kids, and doing kid-appealing activities.
- You should be available from 5:00 through 8:30 p.m. on the Friday night of the program.
- Once a month, 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. (includes a quick dinner)
Can you bring your creativity to our Shabbat/holiday programs for families?
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Reports to Penina Hoffnung
The Youth and Family Team does Shabbat, holidays, and other programming every week of the year. Because much of our programming occurs during Shabbat or chag, materials for the programs need to be prepared in advance and ready to go by sunset. We need people to help create the materials that are the core of the creative, memory-making programs we do.
- You should be a “maker” at heart; someone who enjoys crafting, copying, collating and organizing.
- You should be available mid-week for two hours, either in the late mornings, afternoons or early evening, as frequently as you wish—there’s always a program in production.
Are you a shutterbug? Can you bring that enthusiasm to taking photos at Beth Tzedec events?
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Reports to Michael Goodbaum
Beth Tzedec Congregation loves to see great photos from our events. A picture says a thousand words! Help us get the word out about what’s going on at Beth Tzedec by volunteering to take photos at events you will be attending, on and off-site.
- You will receive a “press pass” to attend Beth Tzedec events.
- You must have your own camera and any other needed equipment.
- You will be able to build your photography portfolio.
- You may receive privileged press positions at rallies and other newsworthy events.
Can you help out by leading Shiva minyanim?
We need people (men and women) who will lead minyanim at houses of Shiva, and who will assist mourners and family members as needed.
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Reports to Lorne Hanick
Shiva Leaders will attend the shiva of bereaved families, as designated by Spiritual Leadership. They will ensure the family has the resources to carry out shiva davening, including leading the Mincha-Ma’ariv services, providing prayer books, and connecting with families to ensure their needs are met.
- You should be fluent in Hebrew for leading prayers.
- You should be able to adapt the service as needed (with training).
- You need to be comfortable in attending a shiva house and be sensitive to the needs of bereaved families.
- A commitment is for two years as part of a roster of volunteers. The frequency of visits is dependent on the number of volunteers.
- Shiva visits last approximately one hour.
Can you spend some time visiting members who are in hospital, recovering at home, or in a retirement home?
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Reports to Yacov Fruchter
Bikkur Cholim (visiting and comforting the sick), an important mitzvah, also includes caring for members of our community who may be isolated in other ways. We are looking for members who enjoy meeting and chatting with older adults, offering company once or twice a month for a 30 to 60 minute visit. This is an in-person visit.
Would you like to meet and greet people when they come to shul?
We need “welcoming faces” at services, who will greet daveners and provide them with books, handouts, and friendly information.
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Reports to Lorne Hanick
If people are new to Beth Tzedec, or if they seem alone or uncertain, the greeters will help them feel comfortable and connected, and possibly introduce them to others.
Would you like to lead a Small Group in an activity you enjoy?
Lead a Small Group of 8 to 15 people, once a month, in an activity or interest that you would enjoy sharing and developing
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Reports to Yacov Fruchter
The Small Groups program has been a huge success at BT for 4 years. Members learn new skills or share thoughts; participate in discussions; create and sustain new friendships and deepen old ones. The leader maintains the group’s connection and assists when group members need additional support.
- Leaders should: have an area of interest or expertise they want to share; be able to facilitate a group with enthusiasm and empathy; be comfortable using technology (Zoom).
- Groups meet monthly from September to June, online or in person.
Are you a “Culture Vulture” who’d enjoy helping set up a new Book and Film Club?
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Reports to Daniel Silverman
We are gathering to plan and organize the Book & Film Club for members, and we need a Steering Committee to help shape the year ahead. Are you an avid reader, or a film buff? This job is for people who would like to search for books and films that would interest our members: fiction and non-fiction, including social justice, Zionism, politics, and current events.
- Six gatherings in a year (no meetings Dec. through March).
Do you love Jewish music? Would you like to discover Beth Tzedec’s musical history?
Cantor Ezer has a trove of printed music and choir favorites from years past. He needs a few volunteers to help sort this valuable musical archive and then to digitize (scan) it.
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Reports to Cantor Sidney Ezer
- You should: be proficient in reading notated sheet music; be familiar with the prayers and liturgy in the Siddur and Machzor; be able to identify and sort archival materials; be prepared to operate office equipment such as a printer and scanner. Knowledge of Hebrew is helpful.
Have you always wanted to work “backstage” on musical productions or creative projects?
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Reports to Aviva Chernick
Assist our spiritual leader Aviva Chernick with creative projects including concerts and exhibits. You should be highly organized, creative, and a team player who will do what’s needed. These projects and concerts will be time-sensitive so it’s important that you can commit to an outlined schedule.
- One year, 3 to 4 projects.
Could you help deliver Challah for Chesed to isolated members on Fridays?
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Reports to Yacov Fruchter
Each week, before Shabbat, we have drivers who bring a challah to members who are isolated or alone. The weekly challah delivery is a chance to have a short, pleasant doorstep conversation with these members, and it’s always a bright spot in the week and a lovely way to usher in Shabbat. You’ll enjoy having a chat while doing a mitzvah.
Could you help on our “delivery team” from time to time?
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Reports to Klara Romm
The shul occasionally needs to deliver items to members, or for some event. This is not a regularly scheduled activity, so it might suit you if you have unstructured time to be available as needed. Often the delivery will involve having a doorstep chat with a member, so you’ll be connecting as well as driving.
