Community Resources

Donate your hair for Israeli children in need 

Sue Proctor is organizing a hair donation drive for Zichron Menachem, an Israeli organization that offers free wigs to Israeli children fighting cancer.

If anyone would like to donate at least 10" of hair in the next few months, please contact Sue to learn more at 510-914-0529 or susandproctor@gmail.com.

JFCS East Bay Jewish Community Safety Net

JFCS East Bay is offering emergency financial assistance, navigation services, mental health support, and food assistance (including home-delivered groceries for those who need it) to any East Bay Jew in need. Please be assured that people's confidentiality will be strictly protected.

For more information, contact jcsn@jfcs-eastbay.org, call (510) 704-7480 X716, or fill out a form at  https://jfcs-eastbay.org/jewish-community-safety-net/

Help Combat Violence and Attacks Against Asian Americans

We can bolster support and help restore a sense of safety for the Asian Americans here in Oakland against the almost weekly violence and attacks. 
In reaching out to leaders in Oakland’s Chinatown to express our support and learn how we might best be of help, Teri Bleckner and Helen Smiler of Temple Sinai have learned the fear of these attacks have added to the woe of pandemic shutdown, devastating small businesses in the area.

• Community leaders believe that Installing and maintaining security cameras at key intersections will be critical

• The cameras would serve as a deterrent to planned and opportunistic attacks and also as assistance to the police in identifying and arresting perpetrators

• With restored calm, community members will be willing to venture out once again.

The Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce has explored city and police funding for this effort to no avail so they have begun a fundraising campaign through their 501(c)(3) charitable arm, the Oakland Chinatown Chamber Foundation.

The police have recommended the installation of cameras at 10th & Webster, 10th & Harrison, 10 & Alice, 7th & Franklin, 7th & Webster, and 7th & Harrison.  Each of the sites would cost $9,000 for a total of $54,000.  If they receive more funds, they would like to expand the camera system on corners further south towards the Museum.  
 
BJC can join with other communities in the East Bay demonstrating support from the greater Jewish Community and raising funds to sponsor a corner and inspire others in the community to step up too.
 
If you’d like to make a donation, please mark this for the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, and a check will then be sent to the Oakland Chinatown Chamber Foundation.