Shabbat Tzedek 2021: Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-racism Friday, January 15, 2021: Curb Side Pick Up, Supporting Black-Owned Businesses Shabbat Tzedek weekend began with over 140 Temple Israel families pre-ordering dinner from four featured Blackowned businesses (MIDA, Fresh Food Generation, Tawakal, and Sweet Teez Bakery), for curb side pick-up prior to the virtual service. Because of systemic racism that is embedded throughout our society, Temple Israel continues to be committed to promoting purchases from Black-owned businesses. As a community, Temple Israel aligned over $10,000 with our values by supporting Black business owners that evening. We invite you to explore our virtual shuk (marketplace) with additional Black-owned business suggestions, at www.tisrael.org/shuk.
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My family and all of my staff are really excited to be part of this MLK observance. One of the TI members called, unable to order online and asking for help. She was amazing, chit chatting over the phone, sharing her story. I felt like I was talking to my grandmother. This is how we were raised, to enjoy those conversations. Would love to get to know everyone at the Temple. Food brings everyone together. So glad to be in this position." - Yahya Noor, Owner of Tawakal
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We very much enjoyed our meal from Tawakal, a Somali restaurant based in East Boston. We ordered Hummus, which was smooth and creamy and came with some oily, tasty pita strips. The Vegetarian Sambusas were delicious, sort of like Somali knishes. Biryani, a rice and meat main dish, was simple but colorful and the portions were generous. The Tawakal Fries, spicy and salty French fries, were a nice contrast to the more mellow flavors of the other offerings. And the meal finished with Nutella Chapatis, outstanding pastries filled with chocolate hazelnut sauce and topped with ice cream. Yum. Very satisfying, all around and we were glad to support a minority owned business. We will be going there when the world opens up again." - Bob Goisman and Jeanne Traxler
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Grub Hub, DoorDash, Uber Eats, many of us have had food delivered in the last 10 months. Friday, January 15th I was supposed to make a very special and unique delivery. As part of Temple Israel’s ongoing support of BlackOwned Businesses, this year for Shabbat Tzedek food could be ordered and picked up at TI. The food I was supposed to deliver was for a Shabbat Tzedek speaker, who lived an hour away from TI. When I arrived to pick up the food, I found out one of the vendors was delayed. There were quick decisions and we pivoted, as we have all learned to do in the last year. So instead of delivering food to a speaker, I made calls to congregants asking them to please arrive a little later to pick up their food. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ Friday, I helped others. Think about what you will do next for others, today, this week, this month, and this year." - Rachel A. Daniels
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