Date
September 14, 2025
Mitzvah Day, an Emanu El classic, returns on September 14!
Congregation Emanu El is excited to offer a wide variety of activities, both on-site and in the community, for all ages and stages.
“This year’s Mitzvah Day is a ‘Choose your own Adventure’ for the entire family. We hope you will join us for a powerful day of hands-on service to help make a difference in our community. Pick your project, bring your family, and have fun!”- Misha Marmo, Youth Representative, Mitzvah Day Planning Committee.
Please note the start time varies depending on off-site locations.
Projects available at Congregation Emanu El:
Kids’ Meals (Teens/Adults)
- Project Captains – Donnie Bundman + Lauren Ziff
- Activity: Packing 1,000 sack lunches
- Volunteers Needed: 30 (Ages 13+)
Undies for Everyone (Families)
- Project Captain – Lee Bar-Eli
- Undies rolling activity (enough underwear to serve 360 kids)
- Volunteers Needed: 20 (Ages 8+)
SEARCH Homeless Services (Families)
- Project Captain- Sandy Harris + Annie Stein
- Activities: making snack packs and hygiene kits for unhoused clientele
- Volunteers needed: 30 total (15 per each kit making project)
ART ACTIVITIES: (Ages 5+)
- Project Captain- Jessica Segal
Activities:
- Making keychains (Search)
- Making birthday cards (Search)
- Decorating brown bags (Kids’ Meals)
- Coloring cards of encouragement (Undies for Everyone)
Projects available at nonprofit locations:
Feeding the Lonestar—(Families)
Address: 11000 Fondren Rd. Houston, TX 77096
- Project Captain – Joy Krohn
- Activity: Meal prep and packing
- Volunteers Needed: 40
Aishel House—1955 University Blvd. (Teens/Adult)
Address: 1955 University Blvd. Houston, TX 77030
Start time- 12:00 p.m.
- Project Captains-Misha Marmo (Youth Laison) + Sharon & Ben Spitz
- Activity—cooking and meal preparation for residents to enjoy later in the day
- Limited capacity! 20 teens (+1 adult)
Houston Food Bank (Families)
Address: 535 Portwall St. Houston, TX 77029
Start time- 9 a.m.
- Project Captain- Alicia Kahn
- Activity- TBD
- Limited capacity – Reserved 50 spots
- Volunteer slot is 9am-12pm
Second Servings/Food & Faith Collaborative (Teens/Adults)
Start time- 12:00 p.m.
Address: TBD
- Project Captain- Brooke Reichek
- Activity: Popup Grocery Store
- Limited capacity! 15 MAX
- 7th grade and older + adults
Emanu El Memorial Park (EEMP)–(Teens/Adults)
Address: 8341 Bissonet St. Houston, TX 77074
Start time- 12:00 p.m.
- Project Captain- Kasner Family/ Levi Kasner (Youth Leader)
- Activities: beautification/cleaning of headstones
- Limited capacity! 15 MAX
- Teens/adults
Morningstar Senior Living (Teens/Families)
Start time- 12:00 p.m.
- Project Captain- Marci Walters
- Activities: Reading and socializing with older adults
- Limited Capacity! 15 MAX
- Volunteers will need to be screened for TB in advance of volunteering—paid for by Morningstar. Please contact Allison Hale for more information
[Image: Mitzvah Day co-chairs, 1992]
