As the holiday season progresses, various faith organizations are gearing up to help others in our community. A pair of significant events this weekend are worthy of note. The Reform Jewish community and local Presbyterians are holding separate, but similar events this Sunday to raise funds for worthy organizations.
Mitzvah Mall, Congregation Beth Sholom, noon to 3 p.m. Sunday
If you've not experienced Mitzvah Mall, you're in for a surprise. Imagine coming to an event that raises money for local nonprofits without the giver receiving anything in return. It's something akin to a cash call at a gala. An annual event at Congregation Beth Sholom since 2008, it continues to grow.
"This is something that the congregation has done for a number of years," explains Rabbi Michael Oblath. "We just provide the space, and gain nothing from it other than knowing that we can contribute a little bit of time and effort into bringing people into a place where they may talk to strangers or friends, meet new people, and, most importantly, bring a little joy into other people's lives. We do it, just because it's nice… and a good thing for the community… just seems like it's the right thing to do. I've always seen it as a way to give a double gift… one to a friend, and one to someone that you may never know or meet."
Intrigued by the word "mitzvah" in the event, I asked Oblath to explain the meaning. "Mitzvah translates as 'commandment,' so the commandments, as the guidelines and path to how we live our lives, reflect both relationship to God and to the world, even including humans," he said. "Within the Reform movement we tend to conceive of the performance of the commandments as the way to achieve the healing of the world. That is the same notion as achieving peace and harmony in life… not just an individual's life, but basically life in general."
The way it works is local nonprofit organizations are invited to participate at the Mitzvah Mall and then chosen on a first-come/first-serve basis. Each organization is provided with a table for staff who present their organization. Those attending make contributions to any organization present in someone's name. That person receives an elegant gift card noting the gift has been given in their name. The conversations I've had with nonprofit representatives at past events have helped gain a better understanding of their mission.
According to Penny Goldstein, organizer of Mitzvah Mall, the non-profits represented will include Alaska Botanical Garden, AK Child & Family, Alaska Innocence Project, Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center, American Diabetes Association, Anchorage Project Access, Bean's Café/Children's Lunchbox, Catholic Social Services, Equine Assisted Therapy of Alaska, FISH (Fellowship In Serving Humanity), Friends of the Library, Helping Hands for Nepal, Joy Greisen Jewish Education Center, Lemong'o Project, Malawi Children's Village, Parachutes Teen Club and Resource Center, Pedals for Africa, Turnagain Community Arts Alliance, United Jewish Communities Alaska and Victims for Justice.
"If you want to send someone a present," Goldstein says, "and are tired of the materialism or just can't figure out a good present, here is your remedy. We have calligraphers to fill out lovely cards that you can send in lieu of, or with, other presents. It is a fun event. We have birds (two owls and a sandhill crane, plus a therapy dog) as well as human representatives of those agencies. We also have music!"
Coffee, hot chocolate, and tea are offered without charge, but no food is being offered. The event is about giving and learning more about the fantastic work being done by multiple nonprofits many may not know much about. Congregation Beth Sholom is located at 7525 E. Northern Lights Blvd. (just west of Carrs).
First Presbyterian Church Alternative Gift Market, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday
A similar event to Mitzvah Mall is First Presbyterian Church's Alternative Gift Market. Open from 9:30 to 1:30 p.m. Sunda, (except during worship, which begins at 11 a.m. and lasts about an hour) it offers gifts from a variety of mission partners First Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church (USA), and Yukon Presbytery. Now in its third year, it's slightly different from Mitzvah Mall.
According to organizer Danna Larson, the market is "a combination of alternative giving and supporting agencies by buying fair trade products. We offer a fair and just way for our congregation to shop at Christmas, either through organizations that sell fair trade products or those that provide opportunities for one to donate in someone else's name."
This year's partners include Bean's Café, Downtown Soup Kitchen, Anchor Presbyterian Church (homeless ministry), Presbyterian Hunger Fund Equal Exchange (fair trade coffee, teas and chocolate), Yukon Presbytery: Gambell (new church building), Haiti Artisan Network, Presbyterian Church (USA) Gift Catalog (featuring different projects to donate to in honor of someone), Pal Craftaid, Emergency Cold Weather Ministry at First Presbyterian Church, Two Spirits Carving Studio (cooperative studio for Native artists), and Presbyterian Women.
For refreshments, Presbyterian Women are hosting a Christmas bake sale. A soup lunch that raises support for Downtown Soup Kitchen will be offered. In years past, I've purchased Haiti gifts and a variety of soups; both make great alternative gifts.
Curious about the focus of their ministry, I asked Larson for more information. "AGM is an appropriate nonprofit response to consumerism and provides a fair and just way for our congregation members to shop at Christmas and choose gifts that will make an important difference in helping people in our community, our nation and our world," Larson said "In addition, congregation members have an opportunity to learn about the ministries represented and the importance of supporting those who are involved in fair trade practices. Often times, connections made at the AGM lead to other involvement in the local agencies represented."
First Presbyterian Church is located at 616 W. 10th Ave.
It's heartening to see individual faith organizations, like these, stepping up to the plate to infuse new spirit and meaning into a holiday season that has become devoid of meaning for many. If your organization is doing something innovative in the spirit of the season, like these two congregations, let me know. I'm always happy to share the joy.