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Getting Involved

Getting Involved

 At Dor Hadash, there are countless ways members can get involved. Beyond our established committees, members often collaborate to lead a wide variety of activities. These activities are as beautifully diverse as our members. Some are new and some are old. Some are temporary and some are here to stay. Some happen regularly and some every now and then. Regardless of what we do, our congregation nurtures each member's vision and cherishes the community we create along the way. Listed below are just a few examples of these opportunities. To get involved, email admin@dorhadash.net for more information.

Are you interested in volunteering in the committees below? Fill out the Volunteer Form to let us know you are interested!

Learn About Some of Our Committees

 
  • Social Action repairing the world through community service, acts of lovingkindness, and charitable causes.
    • The Dor Hadash Social Action Committee strives to embody the Jewish teaching “tzedek, tzedek tirdoff,” צדק צדק תרדוף, which means: “Justice, justice you shall pursue” (Deut. 16:20).Judaism teaches that there are three major ways to pursue a more just and equitable society, Tzedakah (Charitable Giving), Avodah (Service) and Tikkun Olam (Repair of the World). We are dedicated to addressing all three over the course of each year. Certain projects are ongoing while others evolve in response to current events, partnership opportunities or the passions of our members.
      • Tzedakah – Charitable Giving
        • We sponsor various tzedakah collection campaigns in the congregation and beyond. Including our annual High Holy Day drive supports the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. We also raise money and collect other material goods to support refugees and others in need in our community.
      • Avodah & G’milut Hasadim – Service & Acts of Loving Kindness
        • We volunteer in the community with ongoing service in important communal organizations. Including the East End Cooperative Ministry Shelter and the Squirrel Hill Food Pantry
      • Tikkun Olam – Repair of the World
        • In light of the tragedy that Dor Hadash experienced on October 27, 2018, our committee focuses especially on two issues: Gun violence and prevention, immigration and refugees. See our work with Refugee Support Here 
  • Ritual scheduling and overseeing all worship services and providing guidance to service leaders
    • The Congregation’s Ritual Committee is responsible for ensuring that the activities of the community are carried out at the appropriate time and in a manner consistent with the Jewish Reconstructing values which shape our liturgical and ritual occasions throughout the calendar year and at those times required when life’s milestones present themselves.
      The Ritual Committee works with our rabbi to develop guidelines for all of our services, provides guidance to service leaders, and ensures that services are conducted in an appropriate and timely manner.
      In conjunction with the Hesed Committee, the Ritual committee also provides guidance at times such as birth, b’nai mitzvah, illness, marriage, death, and other times at which a Jewish ritual embodies the community’s support.

      To read more about our religious life, visit our services page. For additional information, please email ritual@dorhadash.net.
  • Hesed supporting congregants and families at times of sorrow and joy
    • Pastoral Care
      • The Hesed Committee responds to requests for compassionate listening and advice on topics such as bereavement, illness, and other challenges, as well as joyful milestones such as weddings and baby namings. The rabbi is available for individual pastoral care and for lifecycle officiation.
    • Bikur Holim/ Visiting the Sick
      • The Hesed Committee visits congregants in need of healing, wherever they may be: at home, in a hospital, nursing facility, or hospice. Congregants are welcome to contact the Committee chairs if they or family members become ill and would like to arrange for a visit.  If you would like to add your name to the MiSheberach (prayers for healing) list, which will be read aloud during services, please contact the rabbi.
    • Death and Mourning
      • In the event of a loved one’s death, the rabbi is available to officiate at funerals for members and their immediate relatives. The Hesed Committee assists congregants with organizing shiva services, and can offer support through the mourning process.  The Hesed Committee manages the congregation’s section at Homewood Cemetery, and can provide information and help to congregants wishing to explore burial alternatives for loved ones.
    • Committee Chair: Dan Leger. For more information, please email: hesed@dorhadash.net
      For urgent matters, such as a death, please contact Rabbi Amy at rabbi@dorhadash.net or 412-212-6639.
  • Kehillah coordinating the provision of food and drink for Shabbat and holiday services and special events
    • The Kehilla Committee at Dor Hadash helps to build community by providing opportunities for members to gather for food and conversation. The committee coordinates Friday night onegs, Kiddush after the monthly Torah Service, the congregational break fast at the conclusion of Yom Kippur, and various other social gatherings throughout the year.
    • If you are interested in sponsoring an Oneg, please fill out this form!
    • If you are interested in joining the committee or helping plan a specific event, contact the chair at kehilla@dorhadash.net. For more information, please email admin@dorhadash.net​​​​​​
  • Learning and Programming organizing classes and lectures on various topics of Jewish interest
    • The Learning and Programming Committee organizes classes and lectures on various topics of Jewish interest. The committee also coordinates the study of Hebrew and of Israeli literature in translation. For more information, please email adulted@dorhadash.net. Main programs are Dor Hadash Book Club and Biblical Hebrew on Tuesdays with Maia Freedman (maiaf106@gmail.com). Click on "Learning and Programming" above to learn more. 
  • Inclusion
    • This ad hoc committee works to ensure congregants have what they need in order to be involved in our community. Whether it means getting a Zoom tutorial before the High Holidays or having a sign language interpreter available, access can mean different things to different people. If there is something that may provide or improve access, please let us know as soon as possible and we will do our best to find a solution.
      Some areas we are already investigating include:
      • Alternate-format siddurim and machzorim (large print and Braille)
      • Captions for Zoom at least some services and other programming
      • Including information to access Zoom via telephone Sign language interpreters
      • Identifying the access needs of the congregation
    • If you have questions, accommodation requests or would like to join the Accessibility Committee, please contact Beth Silver at inclusion@dorhadash.net.
  • Dor Ha’Ba Ad Hoc Committee
    • Dor Ha’Ba strives to facilitate a welcoming, inclusive, and educational environment for people ages 18-40. We aim to establish a strong community within Dor Hadash that encompasses “the generation to come.” Just as being part of Dor Hadash and the broader Jewish community enriches our lives, we hope to bring new life and strength to them. Contact dorhaba@dorhadash.net for more information.
Tue, March 28 2023 6 Nisan 5783