Volunteer at BJ!
The time, effort, and talent of our members is what fuels our community.
Every year, hundreds of volunteers use their skills and passions to cook meals, comfort mourners, greet on Shabbat, advocate for justice, and more. Volunteers create community together by living out a core value of the BJ Community Covenant: avodah (service).
All opportunities listed below other than those marked with an * are open to new volunteers at this time.
Hesed–Caring Community
Hevra Kadisha (support for mourners): Comforting mourners is considered the highest mitzvah. Volunteer jobs include calling mourners before holidays and helping to make a shiva minyan. MORE →
Bikkur Holim (caring for the sick): Provide support and comfort with visits, phone calls, and errands. MORE →
Shabbat Connections: Make weekly phone calls to BJ members who are elderly, homebound, or just want more of a connection. MORE →
Mi Sheberakh (prayers for healing): Call members who are on our list to receive healing prayers, or who have placed their loved ones on our list. MORE →
Social Action and Social Justice
Judith Bernstein Lunch Program: Prepare or distribute food at our weekly lunches that have been serving the Upper West Side of Manhattan for over 40 years. MORE →
Blood Drives: Help blood donors check in and be comfortable at BJ’s bi-annual blood drives. MORE →
Support for Immigrants: Volunteer at weekly community meals and resource fairs, organize donations, and more. Spanish speakers are particularly needed.
Rikers Island Visits: Participate in Jewish worship services, bringing connection and spiritual uplift to individuals who are incarcerated.
Civic Engagement and Advocacy: Participate in campaigns related to criminal justice reform and immigration reform. Join nonpartisan Get Out the Vote work and other efforts to protect our democracy.
Environmental Advocates: Organize community programs and actions to support campaigns that fight climate change. MORE →
Community Volunteering
Oneg Team: Join the team that organizes our fantastic monthly Friday night onegs! Clean up volunteers are especially needed but we welcome help for preparation and greeting as well.
Shabbat Engagement Team: Bring your friendly smile to greet at Shabbat services and community dinners, and to connect with new folks.
New Member Welcome: Call new members within their first few weeks at BJ and check in periodically during their first year.
Membership Callers: Make calls during membership season to remind members to renew.
Kol Nidre Solicitors: Solicit BJ members for the annual Kol Nidre campaign. (Training is provided)
Prayer Participation*: Read Torah, haftarah, megillah, and/or serve as a gabbai
Home Hosting: Host a BJ program or event, and/or welcome others to a shabbat or holiday meal at your table.
High Holy Days Ushering and Greeting: Elevate these sacred days by welcoming people to services with warmth.
BJ Havurah Initiative*: Lead a havurah (small group) and build community among BJ members with shared interests. Registration for some havurot is ongoing.
Family Life and Learning Volunteering
Early Childhood Committee*: Support programming and engagement of families in the Early Childhood community.
Elementary School Committee: Support programming and engagement of families with children in K-6th grade, outside of Kadima programming.
Kadima Advisory Committee*: Support programming and engagement of families with children in Kadima@BJ (BJ’s religious school).
All opportunities listed above other than those marked with an * are open to new volunteers at this time.