At Congregation Beth Shalom, we take tikkun olam – “repairing the world” – to heart. We’re committed to making a positive difference, whether locally or globally. When we work together, small acts of kindness add up.
Feeding the Hungry – Partnerships with local food pantries and soup kitchens. Regular donation drives for non-perishable items and essentials.
Environmental Stewardship – Community clean-up days. Educational workshops on reducing waste and embracing sustainable practices.
Social Justice & Advocacy – Helping congregants engage responsibly with social justice issues. Working with interfaith coalitions to foster understanding and cooperation.
No matter your schedule or skillset, there’s a role for you:
We welcome everyone. If you have a cause close to your heart, let us know how we can help you champion it.
We believe in teaching the next generation by example. Our youth groups regularly participate in hands-on service projects that show kindness in action.
Because when we inspire our children, we ensure the tradition of tikkun olam thrives in the next generation.
Do you know about all the wonderful Social Action projects that are taking place at CBS? Are you looking for ways to give back?
We would love for you to join us! We have many events which are appropriate for all ages and are a great way to introduce children to the concept of Tikun Olam.
We aid the hungry in many ways: By donating food to Project Isaiah during the High Holidays, by providing free food to the Title 1 school kids from our Backpack Buddies program; by sorting food bi-annually at the Atlanta Community Food Bank (ages 8 and up); by cooking for the Rebecca’s Tent, the Shearith Israel shelter every January; by donating to the Kosher Pantry at JF&CS through our monthly food drive; by participating in the Hunger Walk in the spring; and by making sandwiches at Project Open Hand (youth group).
We help the needy by knitting scarves and blankets for the Hiddur Knitzvah project for Shearith Israel; collecting scarfs, coats, personal care items an various other items in partnership with Assistance League Atlanta.
Helping begins at home and that is why we are expanding our Chesed helpers to include such good deeds as: providing companionship or a ride, visiting the sick, picking up groceries, providing a meal, helping with light yard work, etc. We would LOVE if we could put your name on the list as a potential available Chesed helper. Email .
On Martin Luther King’s Birthday the congregation comes together to participate in numerous projects to benefit various social action initiatives in our community which include Wee Help, Operation School Bell, Bears for Children, local animal shelters, Back Pack Buddies, Rebecca’s Tent and the Sandwich Project.
This is a real mitzvah program for our Synagogue to give back and participate in our community. Click here to view a wonderful article about this program from DeKalb county.
What do we do?
One in six American children goes hungry across the United States at some point during the year. Many cannot afford to consistently purchase nutritious and wholesome food. Oftentimes, these children receive their only good meals at school. So what do they do when they don’t have school? Backpack Buddies provides food for these children on weekends, to make sure that they stay nourished for the subsequent week. In addition to feeding the children, volunteering is a way to connect with the community here at Beth Shalom.
How can you help?
Volunteers meet every Sunday morning to pack food to be delivered on Wednesday. We are always looking for packers or people to deliver the food to the schools. You can also donate food or make a donation of $180 to support a child for one whole year! Donations of food consist of Packages of Individual items – Non perishable… protein (tuna, cheese), mac n cheese, protein bars, snacks of all kinds, and small boxes of juice.
Where do we accept food donations?
In the synagogue’s lobby, we have a barrel where you can donate food. We accept single-serve, non-perishable items that can be easily opened. A full list of food is located on the barrel.
Which schools do we serve?
We are now delivering 100 meals each week to 3 elementary schools…Kingsley, Montclair and Woodward.
If you are interested in participating, please call or e-mail Backpack Buddies chairlady, Terrie Bryan, 404-402-9555 or .
We are a group of guys who are ready, willing, and able to help our Beth Shalom community, one good deed at a time. We can mow grass, paint a fence, flip a mattress, do minor handyman work around the house, provide basic tech support, etc., for people who need a helping hand. We are not professionals, but often, the help you need doesn’t take a professional, just a competent helper.
If you need assistance, if you know someone who needs help, or if you like to join the ranks of the Mitzvah Men, contact the Beth Shalom Office at (770) 399-5300 or send an email to .
Each month, JFCS & Beth Shalom Sisterhood request certain foods for donations. Check our weekly email for the food needed. Bring your donations to the JFCS Food Barrel in the Education Wing. Read more below about this program. Sponsored and run by the Beth Shalom Sisterhood.
Shearith Israel’s Shelter for Homeless Women provides temporary housing for women in transition and assists these women in getting their lives back together. Volunteers are needed to help cook kosher meals for approximately 15 women, transport the food from Congregation Beth Shalom to the shelter, and serve the food. Last year, groups like Sisterhood, Mens Club, USY/Kadima, 7th grade school, preschool, and our Girl Scout Troop cooked for the shelter, but we need individual congregants to also volunteer for this important mitzvah. We especially need people to transport the food. Adults and children found it very meaningful to help others in such an important way.
Congregation Beth Shalom has made a commitment to cook & deliver kosher dinners for the Shelter at Shearith Israel called Rebecca’s Tent for one week in January each year. Watch your email for the dates in 2026.
Click here to volunteer.
If you would like more information, please call or email Rebecca Cheskes or Deborah Shapiro:
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