Social Action Throughout the Year

Social Action Committee projects include collecting donations for the Food Bank, making hats for the homeless and other volunteer opportunities throughout the year. See our Projects Through the Jewish Year page for more information. Contact Committee Chair Linda Blackwell at linda.blackwell@bethisraelbellingham.org or (360) 739-1492.

Fighting Hate Together July 2023

Congregation Beth Israel’s Social Action Committee hosted One Whatcom’s Fighting Hate Together event, on  on July 29, 2023, at the synagogue. The countywide anti-racism event included collaboration with the Chardi Kala Project, BetterTogether Lynden and Connect Ferndale. These anti-racist groups wanted to honor Holocaust survivor Noemi Ban (z’l) and also offer support to our Jewish community in the face of rising anti-semitism, by making connections, creating and deepening friendships between our organizations, sharing a meal and coming together to fight hate crimes. Here is an article about the event, published in the Salish Current:

One Whatcom forms local network to counter violence and racial intolerance

Pride Parade July 2023

Congregation Beth Israel continues to represent at Bellingham’s annual Pride Parade, showing Bellingham a welcoming Jewish community. Looking forward to next year!

Read about Congregation Beth Israel’s initial participation in the 2016 Bellingham Pride Parade, in this letter from Rabbi Samuels:

Letter to Communty from Rabbi Samuels

Mitzvah Day

Mitzvah Day logo 2013

Each year the Social Action Committee organizes Mitzvah Day, which includes a selection of projects for all ages and abilities, usually in April.