Poverty, Hunger and Homelessness

Beth Am has a long and beautiful tradition of bringing warmth and loving concern to the people in our community and beyond. At Beth Am, we embrace many different social justice projects that aim to help fight hunger and homelessness in our community and beyond. If you are interested in learning more about the initiatives below, please contact the listed contact in the logged-in-only accessible section at the bottom of this page.

Chicken Soupers
Ecumenical Hunger Program
Habitat for Humanity
High School High Holy Day Food Drive
Home & Hope
LifeMoves Soup Kitchen

Chicken Soupers: Chicken Soupers prepare, package and deliver meals to homebound members of our Peninsula community who suffer from chronic illnesses or physical disabilities. The group meets approximately one Sunday each month. 

Ecumenical Hunger Program (EHP): For more than two decades, Beth Am volunteers have helped sort, package and distribute food for families through EHP in East Palo Alto. Throughout the year, we also collect and give toys and clothing to members of EHP who are in need.

Habitat for Humanity: As part of Habitat for Humanity’s “All Faiths House,” Beth Am collaborates with area churches and mosques in striving to put deserving families in affordable homes. Build dates occur throughout the year.

High School High Holy Day Food Drive: Beth Am high schoolers organize an annual High Holy Day Food Drive. Teens pass out paper grocery bags on Rosh Hashanah, to be returned on Yom Kippur, filled by congregants with canned and packaged food. The food collection benefits the East Palo Alto Ecumenical Hunger Program (EHP), whose mission is to provide food, clothing, household essentials, client support and referral services to those in need.

Home & Hope: Beth Am partners with this local non-profit organization in providing week-long hosting opportunities in our synagogue for homeless families on the road to long-term self-sufficiency. 

LifeMoves Soup Kitchen: Beth Am families serve a monthly breakfast at First Step for Families, a temporary shelter for families in San Mateo. The shelter is run by LifeMoves, one of the area's leading non-profits fighting homelessness and poverty. Volunteers are welcome to participate in performing this worthwhile mitzvah. This is a great opportunity for families. Learn more or sign up online to volunteer