The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and its Bohm Social Justice Initiative will be sponsoring several activities continuing through November to celebrate Cheshvan, Jewish Social Action Month. Jewish Social Action Month (JSAM) is a global initiative in the Jewish community to promote social action to improve ourselves (tikkun pnimi) and to improve the world (tikkun olam). Cheshvan is a month in which there are no Jewish holidays, and JSAM was created as a way to turn what might otherwise be seen as a “bitter” month into a month of positive actions to help those around us.

In conjunction with this worldwide effort, JCRC is sponsoring an outerwear drive to benefit refugees recently relocated to the St. Louis area and children in underserved neighborhoods who might otherwise be unable to afford warm winter coats, hats and gloves. Items donated will be donated to the International Institute and the Little Bit Foundation. Items can be dropped off at any of the following locations between now and Nov. 19:

JCRC, 12 Millstone Campus Drive

The JCC, both the Fox and Staenberg locations

BSKI, 1107 Linden Avenue

Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman Boulevard

Congregation B’nai Amoona, 324 S. Mason Road

Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road

Shaare Zedek Synagogue, 829 N. Hanley Road

Clothes Tree Boutique, 2538 S. Brentwood Boulevard

Distinctions, 12354 Olive Street Road

The outerwear drive is being held in cooperation with the Jewish Social Action Network (JSAN), a collaboration of St. Louis Jewish congregations. JSAN encourages congregations to engage in social action programming and coordinates community-wide social action projects. JSAN is coordinated by the JCRC. Chairing the outerwear drive this year is Judy Jacks, Social Action Co-Chair at Congregation Temple Israel. Tracy Zackson chairs the Jewish Social Action Network.

In addition, for the second year JCRC is also organizing a children’s book drive for Cheshvan. Donations of new or gently used childrens’ books for ages 3-5 and ages 8-13 will be collected at the following locations, now through Nov. 7:

JCRC, 12 Millstone Campus Drive

BSKI, 1107 Linden Avenue

Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road

Clothes Tree Boutique, 2538 S. Brentwood Boulevard

Donations will benefit children in area Head Starts and children attending St. Louis City public schools. JCRC Council member Hilary Cedergreen is chairing this year’s book drive.

JCRC’s Bohm Social Justice Initiative is chaired by Phyllis Markus. For more information about either drive or about other Cheshvan activities, contact Gail Wechsler at 314-442-3894 or [email protected].