32nd annual lori sklar mitzvah day at Congregation B’nai Israel

Helping make a difference! SUNDAY, MARCH 16, 2025

In keeping with Judaism’s teachings of Tikkun Olam, this is a day for volunteers of all ages to come together, lending their time, energy and compassion to work on projects that improve the lives of those in need.

This year, we will have on-campus, off-campus and at-home activities as well as collections. Donations can also be made to the Kantor Family Center for Justice.

The day will begin with an opening ceremony and continental breakfast at Congregation B’nai Israel. Our Opening Ceremony featuring CBI President Sharon Landau, CBI Executive Director Steve Allen, CBI Clergy, Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer and DJ Miss Susan will be held at CBI at 9:30am. Programs will be held both on campus and at a few satellite locations following the Opening Ceremony.

On-Campus activities

Mitzvot at CBI

Join us at 9:30am for our Opening Ceremony and stay to participate in our many on-campus activities including:

  • SunButter & Jelly Sandwich Making
  • Decorating Cards and Pictures for the IDF, Local First Responders and Seniors
  • Assembling No-Sew Blankets for Neighbors In Need
  • Packaging Hygiene Kits for the Homeless
  • Putting Together Shabbat Kits
  • Making Flower Pens for Hospital Staff
  • Donate blood with ONEblood drive
  • Help save a local community member and join the Gift for Life Marrow Registry
  • Safety Demo with Local Police Department's K-9 Unit
  • Magen David Adom Ambulance Tour  

If you would like to be a captain of any of these activities or have any questions, please contact Minda Shaiman at minda.shaiman@cbiboca.org or 561.241.8118 x119 with any questions.

off-campus activities

Giving in the Community

For those of you looking to get out into the community, we have a bunch of activities to choose from. Please sign up for what you would like to participate in:

  • Red Reef Park Beach Clean Up: Join us at Red Reef Park at 10:30am to reduce litter, protect our ocean and raise awareness about litter and plastic pollution. Parking is complimentary for CBI Mitzvah Day Group. Please bring your own garbage bags and sunscreen – gloves, pickers, water and a snack will be provided.
  • Gleaning: When we glean, we harvest fruits and vegetables for families, seniors and children who have limited access to fresh food. Join us and CROS Ministries to help pick fresh produce from 10:30-12pm.
  • Bingo at JARC: Join us at JARC (Jewish Association for Residential Care) for a morning of bingo, pizza and fun with members of our community from 10:30-11:30am.
  • Little Free Pantry Food Delivery: Help us fill the Little Free Pantries at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church with non-perishable food items.
  • In Jacob's Shoes: Visit their facility in Deerfield to clean shoes for members of our community at 10:30am.

at-home activities

Good Deeds at Home

From baking to making cards to collections and more, we have fun, meaningful activities for all ages that you can do at home and drop off at CBI on Mitzvah Day from 9am-12pm in the Admin Circle.

  • SunButter & Jelly Sandwich Making: Make SunButter and jelly sandwiches for after school programs for underprivileged children. Please buy a loaf of your favorite bread, a jar of SunButter and a jar of jelly and make between 8 and 10 sandwiches. Place each sandwich in a zip lock bag then right back into the bread bag.
  • Birthday Boxes: Decorate a shoe box (recycle an Amazon box) and fill it with party favors, cake mix, frosting, an aluminum pan, candles, a small bag of balloons and make a birthday card. Boxes will be given to various organizations for children’s birthdays.
  • Cards and Pictures for First Responders and Seniors: Get creative and make your own cards and draw pictures to say thank you or spread some love. These will be distributed to the IDF, Boca PD, Fire Rescue, Hospital workers and JFS seniors in our community.
  • Bake Cookies for Fire Fighters: Whip up your favorite cookies and place them in a small plastic bag with a thank you card for our local community helpers.
  • Assemble Hygiene Kits: Purchase socks, toothbrushes, toothpaste, washcloths and soap and bag them together to distribute to members of our community. Place the toothbrush and toothpaste inside the socks, and tie them together with a ribbon to distribute to members of our community.

Please contact Minda Shaiman at minda.shaiman@cbiboca.org or 561.241.8118 x119 with any questions.

Blanket Buddies

Sign up to drive up and receive a no-sew blanket kit to assemble for local hospital patients and homeless members of our community. Registration is required for this activity. Please pick up you blanket kit on either Tuesday, March 11, or Thursday, March 13, from 9:45am – 12pm and 4pm-6pm (both days). Please drop off your completed blanket on Mitzvah Day, Sunday, March 16 from 10am - 2pm in Admin Circle.

collections

Donations for Our Community

We will be collecting items to donate to our charity partners: The Soup Kitchen, Boys and Girls Club, Place of Hope, In Jacob’s Shoes, Boca Helping Hands, Little Free Pantry, Jewish Family Services, Tri-County Humane Society, Family Promise and Best Foot Forward.

  • Toiletries and feminine hygiene products for Family Promise, Little Free Pantry and Veteran's Hospital
  • School supplies for Boys and Girls Club
  • New or Gently Used Books for Pre-School through 12th Grade-aged children
  • Gently used shoes and sports cleats for In Jacob’s Shoes
  • Cleaning supplies: OxiClean Stain Remover Spray, OxiClean Laundry Powder Soap, Lysol Disinfectant Spray, disposable gloves, and towels for In Jacob's Shoes
  • Non-perishable food for the Little Free Pantry, Boca Helping Hands and JFS food pantries
  • Pet food, blankets and towels for the Tri-County Humane Society
  • New underwear, boxers, undershirts, socks for adults and children of all ages for shelters - Best Foot Forward and Family Promise
  • Diapers and baby wipes for Family Promise, Soup Kitchen of Boynton Beach, and the American Association of Caregiving Youth
  • Gently used golf clubs and bags for Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church's golf program
  • Halloween costumes for Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church

Items can be dropped off in CBI's Admin from Monday, March 10 - Friday, March 14 between 9:30am-5pm or can be ordered directly from our Amazon Wishlist for delivery to CBI.