A Few of Shaarei Shamayim's Past Projects
Friends of the State Street Family – This grassroots organization helps hundreds of people who are homeless eat healthy home-cooked meals. They collect and distribute sleeping bags, blankets, backpacks, clothing, and other supplies so when people can’t sleep in a shelter they don’t freeze. Shaarei Shamayim cooks and serves a meal once a month on State Street.
Circles of Support – This program, through Madison Urban Ministry, matches formerly incarcerated individuals with a small group of volunteers who provide social support on a weekly basis to help them transition back into the community. Volunteers provide them with mentoring and a respectful environment that allows them to express challenges they may be facing.
Voces Solidarity Challenge - Supporting Immigrant Rights
Dialogue with Political Conservatives
Letter Writing Campaigns
Giving Tzedakah
Each year Shaarei Shamayim allocates 2% of its membership dues to tzedakah.
The whole community is invited to participate in the process of deciding where this money will go. Typically a tzedakah committee comes together to discuss, debate, contemplate and ultimately develop a list of organizations that they recommend Shaarei Shamayim fund. The final decision is made by our Coordinating Committee.
Below is a list of some of the organizations Shaarei Shamayim has funded. We encourage you to learn more about these organizations and consider getting involved.
- Camp Shalom
- Eden Reforestation
- Friends of the State Street Family
- Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice
- International Rescue Committee
- Jewish Social Services
- Goodman Community Center
- Growing Power
- Just Dane (was Madison Urban Ministry)
- Midwest Environmental Advocates
- New Israel Fund
- Rabbis for Human Rights
- The Road Home
- Ultimate Peace
- Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice