Community is what has given our people structure and strength throughout the vagaries of history. The Jewish community, and our relationship to one another within it, transcends time. Its historical past and its creative present nourish and support us. As we have seen in the lives of our ancestors and in the lives of our own families, our communal faith helps us endure all that we must face in life all that comes into a life. The role of community is constant.--Carol Ochs & Kerry Olitzky: Jewish Spiritual Guidance --Carol Ochs & Kerry Olitzky:

Temple B'nai Torah is committed to creating and maintaining our Kehilat Chesed - our Caring Community. As Jews, we join in community to find greater relevance; at the heart of the Caring Community ideal is the acknowledgement that each of us, in a fundamental way, is alone. We strive to reach out, to seek relationships with other people, to form a community, because is is in relationship with others that we achieve greater meaning and purpose in our own lives.

Our Kehilat Chesed provides members with opportunities to touch each other's lives. We hope everyone at Temple B'nai Torah becomes involved in our Caring Community.

Mitzvah Corps
Rabbi Hillel taught, "Do not separate yourself from the community" (Pirke Avot, 2:4). Mitzvot bring the individual into the context of community. As we have seen, performing mitzvot provides us with another prism through which the spiritual life can be evaluated. Through the fulfillment of mitzvot, particularly those being adam 'haveiro' (between individuals), we are brought closer to God. That's one of the many reasons why Rabbi Joshua ben Korcha taught, "one should always be alert as possible to perfrom a mitzvah."-Bab. Talmud, Nazir 23b

The Temple B'nai Torah Mitzvah Corps is you - the congregation - responding to the needs of your neighbors in times of change or crisis. It is providing meals or challah, visiting members who are ill, providing transportation to medical appointments or to worship services, helping with childcare, and making phone calls offering support and condolences. Through these, and other mitzvot, members become acquainted, and in many cases, become friends.

You can be a part of the Mitzvah Corps, and make a difference in the lives of many of our congregants in need. To find out more about joining Mitzvah Corps, email Michele Inishi and Robin Negrin at Mitzvah Corps.

Help keep the Mitzvah Corps a caring and effective service to our Temple community.

Let Us Be Your Caring Community

When you could use an extra set of hands or know someone else who could, please allow others the opportunity to perform a mitzvah…call the MITZVAH CORPS!

Mitzvah Corps can make meals, provide transportation or childcare, lend an ear or helping hand. You don’t have to be in a crisis to receive support from your TBT Family, though we are there for you in those times as well.

Call the Temple at 425-603-9677 and we will get you in touch with Mitzvah Corps or email at mitzvahcorps@a.templebnaitorah.org if you know someone who could use Mitzvah Corps.

By giving and receiving, we create a sacred, Caring Community.

The note below was written by TBT member Rose Schwartz, following her experience with the Mitzvah Corps….

"Since coming to Bellevue this past spring, I have met many lovely people vis-a-vis my children and their friends. But becoming a member of Temple B’nai Torah has brought a brand new experience to my life—I actually enjoy coming to services, (The Rabbis, the Cantor, the Choirs) and the acceptance by this congregation is unbelievable.

Most recently I had hand surgery. For three nights three lovely ladies of your “Mitzvah Corps” brought me dinner. Not only was the food delicious and the presentation lovely (even to a beautiful tulip plant), the warmth and friendliness of these ladies just made me feel special.

I truly feel I have entered a wonderful “new” life. Thanks to everyone who has made this new life so wonderful!"

Most sincerely,
Rose Schwartz