A year ago, Beth Am congregants and others in the Jewish community poured out their hearts to aid the farmworkers who toil on the San Mateo Coast. We observed our harvest festival of Sukkot by donating more than $15,000 in the form of Safeway gift cards to help those whose backbreaking work puts the bounty of local produce on our tables.

This year we hope to repeat the miracle of that incredible generosity. Two days after the close of Sukkot, we’ll celebrate Erev Shabbat by honoring the farmworkers with a guest speaker and a chance for you to help feed those who feed us.

Our guest speaker during the Erev Shabbat service will be Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga, founder and executive director of ALAS, a social service nonprofit and farmworker advocacy group based in Half Moon Bay. The group supports farmworkers with services that include a food pantry, water deliveries and mental health services.

If you can help, Beth Am’s FarmMitzvah Task Force is again collecting $15 Safeway gift cards to be distributed by ALAS. The cards give farmworkers the means to buy protein and obtain essential supplies such as soap, toilet paper and cleaning products. You may donate as many gift cards as you like, but they must be in $15 denominations. We’ll have collection boxes available for the Safeway gift cards at High Holy Day and Shabbat services, including on Friday, October 25. Last year, our community donated 1,000 gift cards. This year, we hope you can help give even more.

After the service, we will gather to enjoy a festive Oneg Shabbat in the Social Hall.

If you’re interested in assisting with our efforts to aid the farmworkers, please contact Laura. For more information about ALAS and to donate funds directly, check out the website at alasdreams.com.

[Read the 2023 JWeekly article, written by Beth Am FarmMitzvah Task Force member Jamie Beckett, about Beth Am's efforts to support the farm workers who help ensure that we have access to fresh produce.]

*This service will be live video streamed. By entering the Sanctuary you give Beth Am permission to record you.