Mitzvah Day

Start this special day of tikkun olam (repairing the world) with morning minyan at 9:00 AM and special projects and collection drives at 10:00 AM.

There will be grade-specific projects for our Talmud Torah and Day School students, as well as projects for community members of all ages. Contact our chairs if you would like to organize a special project for Mitzvah Day.

Co-chairs, Abigail Bortnick and Yvonne Klinger 

INOVA BLOOD DRIVE

8:00 AM–12:30 PM
Click here for an appointment. 

outdoor Collections (10:00 AM-12:00 PM)

New Interfaith Women’s Shelter
Help stock their On-Demand Pantry with:
Cup o Noodles
Peanut Butter
Jelly
Instant Mashed Potatoes
Crystal Light Lemonade, Tea and Orange

Comfort Cases (New Items Only)
Backpacks
Unopened Travel Sized: toothpaste; shampoo and conditioner; lotion; toothbrushes; soap and body wash; deodorant
New Stuffed Animals (to fit in backpack)

Montgomery County Humane Society
Flat Sheets (no tears or fraying because it’s a choking hazard)
Towels (no tears or fraying because it’s a choking hazard)
Cat and Dog food (non-prescription)
Sanitizer/Liquid Hand Soap
Batteries (mostly AA)

Homes Not Borders (Refugee & Immigrant Aid Committee and Sisterhood)
CLEAN Pots and Pans (no damaged non-stick surfaces)
Small dressers
Solid-color couches with no rips or stains
Bedside tables and end tables
Coffee tables
Rugs (vacuumed and free of stains) of all sizes (up to 9'x 12")
Floor lamps with shades
Twin sheet & comforters
Large cooking pots & pressure cookers
Pyrex bakeware
Vacuums
Blenders, food processors, small microwaves

DC Diaper Bank
Diapers & Pullups (open packages are accepted)
Wipes
New Diaper Rash Cream
Tampons/Pads (open boxes of individually wrapped items accepted)
New Formula/Baby Food

Bethesda Cares
Canned Vegetables, Tuna, and Fruit
Granola Bars
Instant Oatmeal
Microwavable non-frozen meals
Microwavable Rice dishes 
Cans of chicken noodle soup or beef stew
Jars of pasta sauce
Dry boxed noodles
Gently used Winter Hats and Gloves
Handwarmers
Shower Curtains

Winter Coat Drive
Mitzvah Day is teaming up with One Warm Coat to hold B'nai Israel's second coat drive and the recipient is our neighbor, Twinbrook Elementary School.  Twinbrook has approximately 500 registered students.  A vast majority of these children and their families are in need of coats.  The people who received coats in the last drive felt the warmth of the story behind each garment.  Everyone who donated experienced the lightness of their cleaner closets.
Drop-off or Amazon Wishlist

Sports Equipment for Jackson Road Elementary School
New or Like-New:
Basketballs
Soccer Balls
Kickballs
Jump Ropes
Sidewalk Chalk
Bubbles

Capital Kosher Pantry Hanukkah Collection
Potato Latke Mix
Applesauce
Olive Oil
Near East Mixes
Kasha
Pareve Crackers
Shabbat Candles
Havdalah Candles
Yahrtzeit Candles
Hanukkah Candles
*All items should be factory sealed, well within the use-by date, and certified kosher.

indoor Projects & stations (10:00 AM-12:00 PM)

Notes to IDF Soldiers

Decorate Tissue Boxes for Hebrew Home Residents

Hanukkah Cards for Hebrew Home Residents

Bookmarks for Comfort Cases

Social Action Meal Prep and Delivery
Please join us in the kitchen on Mitzvah Day, as we prepare a meal for the residents of the Interfaith Works New Leaf Shelter.  No kitchen experience necessary.  We will be chopping, cutting and preparing a hardy vegetarian minestrone/stew, salad and dessert. To volunteer, click here.

Social Action Holiday Snowflake Project
B'nai Israel will again be participating in the Holiday Snowflake Project for the children identified by the coordinator at the Weller Road Elementary School.  In addition to the gift list, we are also asking for donations of Target gift cards (in denominations of $5, $10, $15, $20, or $25). These donations go a long way toward helping us to fulfill the wishes of those children who are not otherwise selected and, if possible, to provide hats and gloves for these children, as well.  You may drop off your unwrapped purchases identified as Snowflake Gift with child and gift identification on Mitzvah Day, Sunday, December 15 or before the 15th to Rachel Hyman at B'nai Israel. Click here to sign up. 

Kibbutz Nir Oz Pub Fundraiser
Join us to help raise funds for American Friends of Nir Oz and build connections with residents of the kibbutz as they strive to recover from the events of 10/7. Contribute to American Friends of Nir Oz with the particular aim of supporting reconstruction of the beloved kibbutz pub. Purchase a drink coupon here to use when it becomes possible to visit again. Enjoy a cup of lemonade or coffee with friends in our community while we help to rebuild theirs!  Donate here and include "in honor of B'nai Israel Mitzvah Day" in the comment section. Click here for the story of Kibbutz Nir Oz.

Thoughtful Treasures for Children’s Inn (BISNS Parent Association)

Nourish Now Snack Bags (Day School Committee)

Mitzvah Day is sponsored by the Mildred & William Kaplan Social Action Endowment.