DECEMBER 2 • 2021 | 19

J

ewish Community 
Relations Council/
American Jewish 
Committee (JCRC/AJC) 
will mark its 25th Annual 
Mitzvah Day by hosting 
the event for the Christmas 
holiday weekend, from 
Friday, Dec. 24, to Sunday, 
Dec. 26. Traditionally, the 
daylong event is held in 
partnership with the Jewish 
Federation of Metropolitan 
Detroit.
Called Mitzvah Weekend 
this year, volunteers of all 
ages and faiths, including 
Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, 
Sikh and Christian, will visit 
organizations throughout 
Metro Detroit providing 
services to fill staff shortages 
or allow nonprofits to reduce 
staffing for the holiday.
“As Christmas takes place 
on a Saturday this year, 
we knew it would benefit 
both the participating 
organizations and volunteers 
to expand the program’s 
length,” said Rabbi Asher 
Lopatin, executive director of 
JCRC/AJC. 

“For the nonprofits offering 
opportunities, we have found 
that some are planning 
different or expanded 
activities since Christmas is 
not during the week. For our 
more observant volunteers 
who mark the Sabbath, this 
change will allow them to 
give back on Friday before 
sundown or the day after 
Christmas.”
Volunteer opportunities, 
including activities like 
serving meals and building 
clean-up, are planned 
at organizations such as 
Brilliant Detroit, Pope 
Francis Center, Michigan 
Humane Society and 
Samaritas. 
Due to the ongoing 
pandemic, JCRC/AJC will 
inform the public of available 
opportunities through 
weekly eblasts and social 
media postings, which will 
begin this week. These 
announcements will include 
a description of volunteer 
activities, a contact person 
at the organization and 
any mask or vaccination 

requirements. Those 
interested will then register 
and finalize details directly 
with the selected nonprofit.
Mitzvah Day, which is 
historically the single largest 
day of volunteering by 
Detroit’s Jewish community, 
was founded in 1996. The 
word “mitzvah” is Hebrew 
for “commandment,” 
and commonly refers to 
performing a good deed.
“While the pandemic 
has affected this beloved 
community tradition, we 
know that the spirit of 
giving is stronger than 
ever. We hope people of 
all backgrounds, ages and 
faiths take advantage of this 
beautiful opportunity to 
come together, safely, to give 
to others,” Rabbi Lopatin 
said. 

Mitzvah Day Now 
Mitzvah Weekend

OUR COMMUNITY

JCRC/AJC

JCRC/AJC expands annual event.

JN STAFF

For Mitzvah Weekend 
information: Option 1: 
Visit www.jcrcajc.org 
and add email to sign-
up bar at bottom of the 
page; Option 2: Follow 
JCRC/AJC on Facebook 
at www.Facebook.com/
JCRCAJC or Instagram 
at @jcrcajc. 
For more details, con-
tact Sandy Lippitt at 
slippitt@jfmd.org. 

From last year: Judah Lopatin, left, delivers a bag of gifts from Jimmy’s Kids. 
Patty Stelmaszak, right, delivers food and gift bags from Meals on Wheels. 

