Tzedakah crafts project

In the winter of 2020, Havurah members combined knitting with a winterwear drive. We made, collected and donated 37 hats, 9 scarves and 5 pairs of gloves. At least 22 of the hats were hand knit for this project. We donated them to Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville (MAMAS), Second Chances and the Material Aid and Advocacy Program.

Knit hats, scarf, a skein of thread and knitting needles. Photo and knitting by Monica Holland.

Tzedakah opportunity

Havurat Shalom is a member of Somerville Interfaith, a group working to help refugees in Somerville. One of the things Somerville Interfaith does is to give gift cards to the supermarket Market Basket to refugees who aren't allowed to work yet. The Havurah has a box near the front door with the Market Basket logo on it. You can put $25 Market Basket gift cards there, or checks made out to Havurat Shalom that specify 'gift card' in the subject line to help support refugees in our community. Or, if you're donating on-line, specify that your donation is for a Market Basket gift card. And thank you!

make a house a home

In May 2019, Havurat Shalom participated in the Somerville Homeless Coalition's Make a House a Home program. SCH provides homeless and near homeless individuals and families with individualized supportive services. Their Make a House a Home program focuses on families and individuals who are moving into an apartment, but do not have the resources to make their apartment "home." SHC provided the large furniture such beds and dressers. Havurat Shalom held a housewarming and collected the items to outfit the kitchen of a newly housed person.