Every act of kindness makes a difference. At Emanu El Houston, we believe that volunteering is how we live our values — through tikkun olam, repairing the world, and strengthening our community one mitzvah at a time. Whether you give an hour, a day, or a helping hand, each of us can have a significant impact far beyond the walls of our synagogue.
Emanu El Houston has a rich history of volunteer work in the Houston community. From long-time partnerships with organizations like Kids’ Meals and SEARCH to the temple’s Mitzvah Day, and everything in between, we have a project that’s a match for your talents and time.
We meet once a month, on the third Tuesday, to prepare sack lunches for Kids’ Meals. Kids’ Meals is a social services agency with addresses hunger and food insecurity for children ages 5 and under who are not only at a critical developmental stage but cannot access school-based free meal programs.
Need more information? Contact Donnie Bundman.
Join a group of dedicated volunteers who prepare snack packs for SEARCH once a month, on the last Tuesday of the month. SEARCH’s outreach team members distribute the snack packs to individuals who are unhoused.
Interested in volunteering for this project? Contact Sandy Harris.
The Food & Faith Collaborative (FF&C), in partnership with Second Servings of Houston, addresses food insecurity in Houston. In addition to Emanu El, volunteers from four other synagogues, The Jewish Federation of Greater Houston, and Hadassah set up PopUp Grocery Stores several times each month at area apartment complexes.
For more information or to volunteer, please email Philip Tenenbaum.
A few hours of your time can become the brightest part of someone’s month. Our Gathering Place program provides a warm, welcoming space for individuals living with early to moderate Alzheimer’s, dementia, or memory loss to enjoy music, conversation, laughter, and connection in an environment where they feel safe and at ease. At the same time, family caregivers receive three invaluable hours of respite and support. Volunteers, trained by CarePartners, are the heart of the program, offering companionship, encouragement, and joy to our guests. No special experience is required, just compassion and a willingness to help create moments of dignity, comfort, and genuine human connection.
Want to be a part of the fun? Contact fredi Bleeker Franks or Phyllis Berman.
Mitzvah Day is one powerful day dedicated to doing good together. Each year, our Emanu El community comes together for hands-on volunteer projects that bring hope, care, and connection to our Houston community. Through acts of tikkun olam, repairing the world, we transform compassion into action and remind ourselves how much good can happen in just one day.
Take a look back at Mitzvah Day 2025: Back to the Future.
Questions? Interested in helping plan Mitzvah Day 2026 or have a non-profit project you’d like us to consider? Contact Allison Hale.
Want to get involved but not sure where to start? Reach out to Scott Bormaster, chair of Emanu El’s Volunteer & Committee Coordination Group. Whether it’s a volunteer project or a temple committee, Scott can help match your passions and interests with a wide variety of opportunities at Emanu El.
