SELAH MAYA ZIGHELBOIM | JE STAFF
T here are no clear reasons why we associate the winter
holidays with volunteering.

Maybe it’s the fact we spend this time of year with
loved ones and good food, and this makes us want to
do something for those who don’t have the same opportunities.

Maybe the approach of New Year’s and its resolutions prompts in-
creased introspection. Maybe it’s the infl ux of sappy fi lms.

Whatever the reason, you might be looking for some ways to put
your time to tikkun olam. Here are a few opportunities for volun-
teering in the Jewish community — this winter and all year round.

Challah for Hunger
You might think Challah for Hunger is a program just for col-
lege students — and for good reason, said Challah for Hunger
CEO Carly Zimmerman. Challah for Hunger has 10,000 volun-
teers at 90 colleges around the country, but the organization has a
program for nonstudents as well.

Challah for Hunger started its community program in Phila-
delphia in 2015. Today, the community program has nine chapters
through Congregation Adath Jeshurun/Beth Sholom Congrega-
tion, Congregation Beth Or, Jewish Family and Children’s Service,
Judith Creed Horizons for Achieving Independence, Kesher Isra-
el Congregation, Main Line Reform Temple, Or Hadash, Temple
Beth Zion-Beth Israel and Tiferet Bet Israel.

Each of the chapters meets at least four times a year, Zimmer-
man said. Th eir volunteers bake challah, then sell it at diff erent
area locations. Half of the proceeds go to a local hunger-fi ghting
nonprofi t of each chapter’s choosing — such as the Jewish Relief
Agency or the Mitzvah Food Program — and half goes to Challah
for Hunger’s campus hunger project.

“[Th e chapters] bring out volunteers from the communities
where they exist,” Zimmerman said. “For example, there’s a group
at BZBI congregation here in Center City, and that group is pri-
marily parents of the preschool kids, but they also open their
doors to other volunteers as well.”
Head to challahforhunger.org for more information.

Hosts for Hospitals
Philadelphia is home to a great number of renowned medical
centers and hospitals, with the Children’s Hospital of Philadel-
phia, Einstein Healthcare Network and more located here. Peo-
Volunteers prepare food boxes at a Jewish Relief Agency event in September.

12 NOVEMBER 22, 2018
HAYATIKAYHAN/THINKSTOCK ‘Tis the Season:
Five Ways to Volunteer
WINTER HOLIDAY MAGAZINE
Photos provided
JEWISHEXPONENT.COM