At Nashuva we believe that some of the greatest community-building and life-affirming experiences happen when we serve. Our mission is to serve together, as a community, to bring light to a dark corner of our city.
Nashuva’s Social Action serves many areas of need. We strive to protect the environment, alleviate poverty, support people in rehabilitation, bring joy to the elderly…and more.
Our volunteer services are carefully crafted to reach specific segments of the population throughout the calendar year. We partner with select organizations to help the elderly, homeless, disadvantaged, people in transition and, last but not least, Mother Nature.
Over the years, we’ve paired up with PATH, TreePeople, Upward Bound, Operation Gratitude, Project Angel Food, Pico-Union/Hope Street, Miriam House, Habitat for Humanity, Fruit Forward and Project Chicken Soup, to name just a few.
At Nashuva, we also understand that Social Action begins at home. In addition to serving our city, Social Action seeks to develop and nourish relationships among our own volunteers. Our events are designed for team and connection-building that has naturally led to lasting friendships among our volunteers.
Join us. We welcome your commitment at any level. Here, you will find warmth and fulfillment in selfless service to your community.
Please add your name to our Social Action Mailing List so that you can be notified of upcoming events.
Some of our Events:
NASHUVA FOOD DRIVE for HOPE STREET FAMILIES
SUNDAY, MARCH 15th, 11am in Clover Park, BBQ Area #1
A great mitzvah of Purim is Mishloach Manot: sending nourishing food to others. For 21 years Nashuva has been bringing Hope to the families of Hope Street.
This year, as a result of Department of Homeland Security raids, many Hope Street families have been too frightened to leave their homes. They are in desperate need of supplies and nourishment for their young children.
Join us for a time to socialize, make new friends and have fun together as we perform a meaningful Purim Mitzvah.
Come join us for a bagel brunch and to collect supplies for Hope Street families in keeping with this holy Purim Mitzvah!
ITEMS NEEDED:
(Please bring only new, unused, unopened items to Clover Park)
- Rice
- Beans
- Tortillas
- Sandwich Bread
- Tuna
- Mayo
- Cereal
- Juice (for kids, preferably low sugar)
- Pastas
- Pasta Sauce
- Shelf Stable Milk (Almond and/or Oat Milk)
- Snacks for kids (healthy options preferred)
- Nuts, seeds (low sodium)
- Peanut Butter
- Jelly
- Cooking Oil
- Cases of Water
- Body Soap
- Detergent
- Pet Food
- Diapers (OVER 3 years old – for toddlers)
- Wipes
- Toilet Paper
- Cleaning Supplies (sponges, All Purposes Cleaners, Ajax or Fabuloso specifically
| If you are unable to attend Sunday’s collection event, you can purchase and donate directly from an Amazon Gift List. When you check out, Hope Street’s address should appear at the top of your delivery address list. Click here to donate. |
Safe Place for Youth, Shabbat, Feb 6, 2026. We are joining together to support Safe Place for Youth. Their mission is to prevent and end youth homelessness through support services, sustainable housing opportunities, community collaboration and advocacy.
Here is a list of supplies you can bring:
- New or Gently used clothing, sweaters, coats
- Hygiene items that must be new and sealed – such as chapstick, lip balm, deodorant, shampoo, body lotion, sunscreen, antibacterial wipes, hand sanitizer, flashlight, laundry detergent, granola bars, hairbrush, comb
Please bring items to Nashuva this Shabbat and we will donate to S.PY.!
Sukkot Social Action thru October 31st, 2025
As part of their mitzvah project, the second Nashuva Bat Mitzvah group is spearheading a social action project in honor of Sukkot.
Sukkot is the holiday of shelter and they are partnering with a local youth shelter to provide much needed necessities for youth experiencing homelessness. Please click here to purchase items for sleep kits to help these youth sleep well and dream big.
(Please Note: If you don’t see Nashuva’s Gimmel Bat Mitzvah registry when you click on the link you can just search “Nashuva” using the the “Find a registry” button on the left side of the page.)
We hope you will give from your hearts, no later than October 31st. There is also an option to make a monetary donation in the amount of your choosing via the registry. Reach out to Nancy Wolff Gossett with any questions, and we thank you in advance for your gift!
Past Events:
November 17th, 2024 –
Nashuva’s 20th Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon at Hope Street
Volunteer with us to bring HOPE to Hope Street. Nashuva will provide a feast and celebration for 200 low income, at-risk families of the Hope Street Family Center at the 20th Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon. Click here for details and/or to sign up to volunteer.
December 1st, 2023 –
Nashuva’s Annual One Warm Coat Collection Drive:
Please bring a warm coat, new or gently used to our service this Shabbat.
As the days grow shorter and the weather grows colder it is our Nashuva annual tradition, a great Mitzvah, to help make the world a warmer place by collecting new or gently used coats for One Warm Coat.
We invite you to put a note of uplift in the coat for the person who will receive it!
The coats will be going to Adults, Children & Youth, Seniors, and Veterans on Skid Row.
November 19th, 2023 –
Nashuva’s 19th Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon
at Hope Street – from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm
December 2nd-4th, 2022 –
Nashuva’s Annual One Warm Coat Collection Drive
November 20th, 2022 –
Nashuva’s 18th Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon
at Hope Street – from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Please join us this year to celebrate Nashuva’s 18th Annual Thanksgiving Luncheon with the Hope Street Family Center featuring activities and food for 200 at-risk families. This wonderful center provides services to at-risk families. Our joint celebration consists of a Thanksgiving luncheon, arts & crafts for the children, and gift bags for the families!
Volunteers are needed to procure in-kind donations, set up, attend and connect with Hope Street families, run a craft or game or music or reading activity, and help clean up.
Volunteer: Sign up now!
Donate CHAI 5: Click to contribute financially Our goal is to host 200 families with children ranging from infants to teenagers.
Families will receive gift cards to purchase the staples they need. Your cash donations help buy cards and cover expenses for food and rentals. Suggested donation: $90 – 5 X Chai
Sunday, November 20th from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at
Venice Hope Park in downtown L.A.
1521 S Hope St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Please check back for further details as they become available.
October, 2022
Nashuva took the New Year higher and higher with a Shabbat Sukkot under the stars in Clover Park. We collected donations for Village for Vets, an organization that fills critical gaps in key services for homeless and at-risk veterans in greater Los Angeles. Please bring donations (see list below) to the Shabbat Sukkot:
December 2021
One Warm Coat – Chanukah Shabbat – In Person – December 3rd at 6:30 pm
Click Here for Details About One Warm Coat
November 2021
Nashuva’s [Virtual] Thanksgiving Celebration with the Hope Street Family Center
THANK YOU FROM VILLAGE FOR VETS (Social Action Yom Kippur 2019)
“Dear Rabbi Levy,
I would like to thank you for your very generous donation of 100 bags of shelf stable food. The food will be distributed on October 25 at our annual Stand Down event which serves as many as 1000 homeless and at-risk Veterans.
Your donation to the VA is meaningful. The VA does not have the budget to provide food for the homeless Veterans that come to the campus for respite and to receive healthcare, housing and employment services. We can’t thank you enough for keeping the Veterans and the VA at the top of your list.
Visit us often at www.villageforvets.org to keep up to date on our activities and thank you again for your meaningful support.
With sincerest gratitude,
Marcie Polier Swartz”
Nashuva’s SAFE PLACE FOR YOUTH (S.P.Y.) Social Action (December 2016) was a Huge Success!
Here’s a thank you note from (Nashuva’s very own) Renata, who initiated the drive:
Hi Nashuva!
I’d like to thank everyone who donated to the Safe Place for Youth drive on the first Shabbat of December. They were blown away!
The volunteer coordinator wrote to me: “It’s amazing!! It has to be one of the most successful drives we’ve been the recipient of! Thank you so much!!”
There were over 60 bags in total. Though I’m equally impressed, I can’t say I’m surprised, because I know firsthand the unique and extraordinary level of support and involvement in social action events that Nashuva members always exhibit. We have done so much for them and that’s such a beautiful thing to go into Hanukkah knowing. Of course, there’s always more you can do– contact info for SPY can be found at http://www.safeplaceforyouth.org/contact_us
Thanks again for making my vision for this drive a reality and for your incredible generosity! It’s a real mitzvah.
Renata
Youth homelessness is a sobering problem — according to the Los Angeles Housing Authority’s 2015 Homeless Youth Count report, there are approximately 6,150 homeless youth on the streets any given night in LA County, and it is only getting worse.
Safe Place for Youth is an organization located on Lincoln Blvd in Venice that strives to inspire change in young people’s lives by engaging , building trust, and providing care and support. Their “robust continuum of care addresses the unique needs of this population through assertive street outreach, low barrier drop-in services, health and wellness programming, case management and education and employment services.” SPY is unique in its non-judgmental setting and dedication to youth (ages 12-25)