Support birthing individuals and families in need by decorating onesies and bibs for Giving Austin Labor Support (GALS Austin). These personalized items bring comfort, joy, and a warm welcome to families with newborns. GALS Austin works to ensure every birthing person feels supported during labor and the postpartum period, and your creativity helps extend that care beyond the delivery room. Please consider making a financial donation to support this project. (Suitable for Pre-school students and older.)
Dear Temple Beth Shalom Community,
Thank you for making this year’s Mitzvahpalooza such a meaningful and inspiring day of service. Because of you—your time, energy, generosity, and heart—we were able to come together as a kehillah to give back in powerful ways. With approximately 150 people participating—of all ages and stages—our building and grounds were truly filled with purpose, connection, and joy.
First, a huge thank you to our Mitzvahpalooza Planning Committee—Carol Dochen, Lora Ann Gerson, and Susan Laves—for being part of this process from the very beginning. Your vision to expand this program, your thoughtful leadership, and your tireless work recruiting volunteers helped bring this day to life in the best possible way.
A heartfelt thank you to the donors whose financial contributions helped make Mitzvahpalooza possible and allowed us to support a wide range of meaningful projects:
Beth Hill and Matthew Hill, Mallory and Jonathan Glusband, Rachel and Grant Weston, Michelle and Mark Mellon-Werch, Mark Salmonson and Tracy Robinson, James Baker, Mona and David Carver, Bruce and Jenny Corman, Wendy Botnick, Jessica Cassidy Katz and Dan Katz, Michelle and Eric Natinsky, and Lenny and Lynn Krasnow.
We are so grateful to our incredible project leaders, who guided participants with care, enthusiasm, and intention:
Mardi Kunick, Sheri Lippman, Lauren Patten, Beth Goldstein, Jennifer Printz, Brittany Rauch, Eli Printz, Susanne Senoff, David Fink, Lisa Lachs, Marc Lachs, Heather Rudich, Lori Levy, Noah Levy, Elise Su, Noah Su, Brook Fink, Amy Cohen, Rachel Weston, Wallace Printz, Pam Henzi, Stuart Laves, and Steve Gerson.
Your leadership made it possible for participants of all ages to engage meaningfully in mitzvah work.
Thank you as well to the representatives from our partner organizations who joined us for the Mitzvah Fair and helped connect our community to ongoing opportunities for service:
• Amy Beer – Mobile Loaves & Fishes
• Bob and Mary Lou Batlan and Brandon Yi – Community First! Village
• Joan Maniere and Rabbi Amy Cohen – Jewish Family Services
• Joshua Levy – Joshua’s Stage
• Tiffany Goodman Bilbe – Giving Austin Labor Support (GALS)
A special thank you to our teen representatives—Sabrina Lachs and Naomi Tackett (representing BookSpring) and Ethan and Asher Wagh (representing Special Olympics)—for helping lead and inspire with such thoughtfulness and confidence.
We call this annual event Mitzvahpalooza because it is one giant day of giving back—but it is not the only day we give back. We believe every day is a day to do a mitzvah, and if you were inspired to get more involved, we encourage you to reach out to any of these organizations directly to continue the work you began on Sunday.
We are also grateful to our teachers who helped ensure the morning ran smoothly: Ariel Chasen Feingersch, Scarlett Spindler, Grant Katz, and Marina Garfield—thank you for jumping in wherever needed.
Thank you to the Brotherhood for providing a welcoming bagel breakfast and mimosa bar, and to everyone who donated funds, coins, books, and blankets—your generosity will have a real and lasting impact.
Our deepest thanks to the Kids’ Choir for the beautiful music that helped ground our morning in joy and spirit.
And finally, thank you to every participant who showed up to give back together. Seeing families, teens, adults, and seniors working side by side was a powerful reminder of just how special our Temple Beth Shalom community is.
May we continue to carry the spirit of Mitzvahpalooza with us—today and every day.
With gratitude,
Jordan
What is Mitzvahpalooza?
In keeping with Judaism’s teachings of Tikkun Olam, Mitzvahpalooza is a day for the whole family to come together, lending their time, energy and compassion to work on projects that improve the lives of those in need in the greater Austin area. Religious School families will gather together on Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day together and honor the work done by the great civil rights leader by lending our time, energy and compassion to work on different mitzvah projects to help those in need in our Austin community. This exciting event will feature hands-on mitzvah projects for Temple family members of all ages.
In keeping with Judaism’s teachings of Tikkun Olam, Mitzvahpalooza is a day for the whole family to come together, lending their time, energy and compassion to work on projects that improve the lives of those in need in the greater Austin area. Religious School families will gather together on Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day together and honor the work done by the great civil rights leader by lending our time, energy and compassion to work on different mitzvah projects to help those in need in our Austin community. This exciting event will feature hands-on mitzvah projects for Temple family members of all ages.
How Can I Help?
Help make Mitzvahpalooza a success by donating goods, contributing funds, or volunteering your time! Your support provides the materials needed for our care packages and mitzvah projects, ensuring we can make a meaningful impact together.
Interested in volunteering to lead one of our mitzvah projects during Mitzvahpalooza?
We would love your help! Please contact us at school@bethshalomaustin.org to learn more.
Donated goods can be dropped off at the Temple between January 11–18.
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January 11–17: Collection boxes will be available in the Tallit Corner in the lobby.
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January 18: Donations can be dropped off directly at the project tables.
Families are invited to participate by:
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Bringing twin-sized blankets (new or gently used) for Casa Marianella
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Dropping off books for BookSpring
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Contributing coins to our Community First coin drive
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Donating funds to help us purchase project supplies. You can find our donation form HERE.
Every act of generosity—whether a donated item or a financial gift—helps us repair the world as a community. Thank you for your partnership and support!
Schedule of the Morning
10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Mitzvah Fair
Especially geared toward 5th and 6th grade families (though all are welcome), the mitzvah fair is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to get involved with volunteering in and around Austin. Whether you’re preparing for your b’nai mitzvah project or simply want to make a difference, you’ll have the chance to meet with representatives from:
10:30 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. Opening Ceremony, lead by Rabbi Steinman, Sara Kaye and Jordan Magidson
10:50 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Families participate in mitzvah projects at Temple Beth Shalom. This will be an "open house" style, allowing families to work on as many projects as they would like!
Teddy Bears & Notes for Hope Totes
Bring comfort and joy to children in crisis by making teddy bears and heartfelt cards for Hope Totes. This organization provides bags filled with essential and comforting items to children entering foster care or facing difficult situations. Your handmade bears and cards will offer a sense of security and hope, reminding these children that they are cared for and supported. Join us in spreading love and compassion to those who need it most! Please consider making a financial donation to support this project. (Suitable for ages 6 and older.)
Coins for Community First! Village
Support our Austin neighbors experiencing chronic homelessness by collecting coins for Community First! Village, a transformative residential program that provides permanent housing, healing, and hope. Every coin contributed helps fund essential services—from meals and hygiene supplies to job training and community support—that empower residents to rebuild their lives with dignity.
By donating your spare change, you and your family can make a meaningful impact and help strengthen this remarkable community of compassion and care. Together, small acts of generosity can create big change! (Suitable for ages 10 and older).
Cards for Cardz for Kidz
Brighten a child’s day by creating cheerful, uplifting cards for kids in the hospital through Cards For Kidz. Your handmade artwork and encouraging messages bring smiles, hope, and comfort to children facing medical challenges. This project is a simple yet powerful way to spread kindness and remind young patients that they are loved, supported, and never alone. (Suitable for Preschool age and older).
Shabbat Boxes for Hospital Patients
Help bring comfort and connection to patients at Ascension Seton by assembling and decorating Shabbat Boxes for Rabbi Amy Cohen to distribute during her chaplain visits. Each box includes small ritual items and thoughtful touches that help patients welcome Shabbat, even while in the hospital. This project offers a meaningful way to share light, warmth, and community with those who may be feeling isolated or in need of spiritual support. (Suitable for ages 10 and older).
Help bring comfort and connection to patients at Ascension Seton by assembling and decorating Shabbat Boxes for Rabbi Amy Cohen to distribute during her chaplain visits. Each box includes small ritual items and thoughtful touches that help patients welcome Shabbat, even while in the hospital. This project offers a meaningful way to share light, warmth, and community with those who may be feeling isolated or in need of spiritual support. (Suitable for ages 10 and older).
Cookies & Kindness for First Responders
Show gratitude to the heroes who care for our community by baking cookies and preparing heartfelt thank-you gifts. Families will decorate cookie boxes, write notes of appreciation, and fill each package with homemade treats for first responders and other critical workers. This project is a sweet and meaningful way to say “thank you” to those who work tirelessly to keep us safe and supported every day. Please consider making a financial donation to support this project. (Suitable for Preschool age and older).
Book Collection for BookSpring
Support early literacy in Austin by collecting and sorting books for BookSpring, an organization dedicated to helping children build home libraries and develop a lifelong love of reading. Families will help gather, organize, and prepare donated books so they can be shared with children who need them most.
BookSpring accepts:
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Board books
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Picture books
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Early readers
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Chapter books
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Middle grade and young adult novels
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Teen and adult fiction (published in the last 30 years)
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Children’s non-fiction (science, history, biographies, etc.)
BookSpring cannot accept:
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Textbooks
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Encyclopedias
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Magazines
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Books with significant damage
By donating and sorting books, your family helps put stories into the hands of children across Austin—opening doors to imagination, knowledge, and opportunity. (Suitable for Age 8+)
Kids' Choir Performance Offsite
Kids' Choir members will have the opportunity to bring the joy of music through a special offsite performance for people in the greater Austin area. Through song, students will brighten the day of the residents, fostering connections and spreading happiness across generations. This mitzvah project is a beautiful way to share talent, compassion, and the uplifting power of music! (Only open for Kids' Choir members.)
Hot Drink Packets for the JFS Food Pantry
Help bring warmth and comfort to our community by creating hot drink packets for the JFS Food Pantry. Families will assemble packets with items like hot cocoa, tea, and other warm beverages to include in pantry distributions. These small but thoughtful additions can make a big difference, especially during colder months, offering a moment of comfort and care to individuals and families facing food insecurity.
This project is a meaningful, hands-on way to support our neighbors through Jewish Family Service and help ensure that everyone feels seen, supported, and nourished. (Suitable for PreK and up).
Knitzvah: Hats & Scarves for Those in Need
Have knitting needles and yarn at home? Bring them along and join our Knitzvah knitters during Mitzvahpalooza! Throughout the morning, participants will work together to knit hats and scarves that will be donated to community members in need, sharing warmth, care, and compassion—one stitch at a time.
This is a wonderful way for knitters of all experience levels to contribute meaningfully, and for families to see how handmade kindness can make a real difference.
To learn more about the ongoing, impactful work of Knitzvah and how to get involved beyond Mitzvahpalooza, visit the Knitzvah webpage on our website. (Suitable for anyone who can knit).
Tue, February 10 2026 23 Sh'vat 5786