Tikkun Olam is a Hebrew phrase that means "repairing the world" or "healing the world" and is a fundamental concept of Judaism that Har HaShem has embraced from our earliest days.  As we approach our 50th anniversary, our Tikkun Olam Committee would like to bring back a Har HaShem tradition from about ten years ago that was very meaningful to many members.  We would like to plan a Mitzvah Day for January 10, 2016.  For those of you who don't know about Mitzvah Day, we will spend the morning learning about not-for-profit agencies in Boulder County and the early afternoon volunteering at some of them.  Some past projects have included planting a vegetable garden for Community Foodshare, reorganizing and stocking the food pantry at Emergency Family Assistance and collecting clothing suitable for job interviews  for Bridge House.

Our goal is to make this a family activity, while respecting some restrictions regarding younger children that are often imposed by the participating local organizations.  To make our efforts more effective and meaningful, we would like to connect with members who are either on boards of directors of not-for-profits or volunteer or work  for them.  We would like your help in connecting us with these organizations.  Please write to us at info@harhashem.org and  let us know about organizations that might benefit from our involvement.   By letting us know, you are not committing yourself or your organization to Mitzvah Day.  It's just the beginning of the process to see if there is a way to make good connections with organizations in our county.

Our IST kids just got back from an amazing 5 week trip to Israel. Here they are enjoying sunrise on Masada.

We rely on you to let us know when a member has celebrated a simcha, endured a loss, or is ill. Please call Carol at 303-499-7077, ext. 13, or email c.maldonado@harhashem.org. It is not guaranteed that we will see it if you post it on Facebook. Thank you!

 

It's time for Boulder Hadassah's Annual Summer Brunch!  

Come join the women of Boulder Hadassah on Sunday, August 2, at 10:30am, for our annual social event at a lovely private home. Learn about the history of Jewish Boulder and the beginnings of Boulder Hadassah, and meet old and new friends!  Our knowledgeable panel will include Nita Cahn, Sara Jane Cohen, Liz Fox and a possible surprise guest!   For reservations and location, please contact Sara at 303-997-7328 or imsweller@yahoo.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

JCC Ranch Camp will have Stumpy's Stampede 5K/10K trail run on Sunday, August 9, in Elbert, Colorado. The trail run will benefit camper scholarships. Learn more at www.ranchcamp.org/stumpysstampede. 

 

The Boulder JCC is hosting several Parenting Groups, including groups for parents of children with special needs, and an adoption group. Click here for more information.

 

Boulder Jewish Family Service

Looking  for a way to spend an hour a week? An hour that that can make a huge difference in someone's life?  Jewish Family Service has a list of seniors, waiting to be matched with a Friendly Visitor. If you'd like more information about this meaningful program, please contact, Ingrid Swords, Volunteer Coordinator, at iswords@jewishfamilyservice.org 303-415-1025. 

 

Jewish Together - Boulder, a collaboration between 30 Jewish organizations and synagogues in Boulder, including Har HaShem, has just launched two new life cycle compilation guides. One guide is for b'nai mitzvah resources in Boulder including tips on planning an environmentally responsible event, venues and a bit of learning. Our teen resource guide focuses on local opportunities to connect with other Jewish teens, national and international Jewish programs of interest, and information on local camps. If you have a pre-teen or teenager at home, these guides are for you! Click here for all life cycle resource guides. 

 

JEWISHcolorado is pleased to initiate a three-year pilot project to bring PJ Library back to the greater Denver/Boulder community. PJ Library mails free, high-quality Jewish children's literature and music to families across the continent on a monthly basis. There is funding for 1,500 families in the Boulder/Denver area for families with children ages 6 months to 5.5 years, so please register ASAP. A waiting list will be created for additional families. Click here to register.

Visit MazelTot at www.mazeltot.org to sign up for discounts on Jewish programming for families with kids under age 5. Find Congregation Har HaShem listed on the MazelTot organization page for a list of activities you can apply your Mazeltot discounts.