The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) and its Bohm Social Justice Initiative are sponsoring several activities in 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 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.

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 will be donated to the International Institute, the African Mutual Assistance Association and the Little Bit Foundation and can be dropped off at any of the following locations between now and Nov. 25:

• JCRC, 12 Millstone Campus Drive

• The Jewish Community Center, both the Fox and Staenberg locations

• Brith Sholom Kneseth Israel, 1107 Linden Avenue

• Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman Boulevard

• Congregation B’nai Amoona, 324 S. Mason Avenue

• Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road

• Shaare Zedek Synagogue, 829 N. Hanley Road

• Temple Emanuel, 12166 Conway Road

• Temple Israel, #1 Alvan Rubin Drive

• Clothes Tree Boutique, 2538 S. Brentwood Boulevard

For more information about the outerwear drive or to find out about other Cheshvan activities, contact Gail Wechsler at 314-442-3894 or [email protected].