10. SHOFAR Project

Who does it:
Temple Emanuel in Worcester, MA

What they do:
SHOFAR is a multifaceted, AIDS awareness/action project that provides assistance, support, advocacy and education for individuals who are infected with, affected by, at risk for or concerned about HIV/AIDS.

Time commitment:
Variable.

Who they do it for and why:
These activities include planning and arranging baby showers that provide gifts appropriate for the needs of children with pediatric AIDS or children of parents with AIDS; preparing food for a monthly lunch program; establishing an AIDS library and resource center in the temple; participating in an AIDS awareness Shabbat service and a special AIDS Passover Seder; involvement in the AIDS Memorial Quilt program, and involvement of individual temple members as volunteers with community AIDS advocacy/service organizations. Volunteers use their professional skills and talents and can also serve as buddies, advocates, and transportation volunteers. Plans are being made to staff and serve a monthly communal meal for clients. New education programs and consciousness-raising materials are being developed. Programs geared to the nursery school, religious school, and youth group are being prepared. A fund-raising lapel pin has been created to help sustain the project.

We would need:
¨ Someone to determine if such services are presently provided in the Tulsa area. If so, do sponsoring organizations need volunteers?
¨ Where no such services presently exist, someone would need to determine how many AIDS/HIV infected persons - both in the Jewish community and in the community at large - would benefit from such services. That information is probably available from social service agencies.
¨ One or more persons willing to assume leadership of the project and manage it.
¨ A pool of volunteers willing to undergo appropriate training, then to commit to participating in the program as their interests and the program's needs coincide.

If you are interested in organizing or participating in such a program, contact:
Jeanne Jacobs (phone: 747-1309, email timvp@templeisraeltulsa