Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/130753
RELIGION BRIEFS Temple Emanu-El children (from left) Emanuela Reich, Juliana Reich and Sasha Drapkin display the cookies they decorated for Sarasota County firefighters during Mitzvah Day. Contributed photo MITZVAH DAY DRAWS 300 FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECTS More than 300 Temple Emanu-El members and guests completed 20 different hands-on community service projects at the synagogue's seventh annual Mitzvah Day on April 28. tors of at-risk teenagers; aiding animal shelters; performing at a nursing home; creating cards for soldiers serving overseas; decorating cookies for firefighters; and knitting and Fulfilling the meaning of the Hebrew word crafting for charitable agencies, a Temple "mitzvah" — which means "commandment" news release says. but also connotes "good deed" — volunteers Mitzvah Day participants also donated food, of all ages signed up for projects including toiletries, books and clothing for the less forhosting an art and manicure party for hometunate and took part in a blood drive. Finally, less families; sorting and packing food; planting seeds and picking up litter; wrapping the Temple's Brotherhood held a pizza sale books for needy children; preparing lunches that raised $275 for All Faiths Food Bank, for the homeless; assembling folders for men- the release adds.