By Deb Silverthorn
Adat Chaverim’s social action efforts are reaching beyond its walls, supporting those in need across the Plano community.
Through its social action committee, Adat Chaverim organizes projects that support local families, students and seniors — many of whom members will never meet.
“We are co-creators of our covenant and that means that every day we have a chance, and a responsibility, to make this world a better place,” said Rabbi Adam Ruditsky of Adat Chaverim. “Any opportunity that we have to help others is an opportunity to help create a better world locally.
Rabbi Ruditsky said the congregation’s work reflects a shared commitment to helping others.
“Helping those who have trouble helping themselves is something I have always done. Helping others work through their own journeys seems to be in my DNA,” said Karen Polan, who chairs the congregation’s social action committee and who, as a teenager, spent a month in Israel helping to settle Russian refugees.
“I love that through our synagogue we have lots of volunteers with lots of love,” said Polan.
Adat Chaverim started 2026 with a Social Justice Shabbat on Friday, Jan. 16, followed two days later by a mitzvah day honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. During the mitzvah day, members packed snack boxes for Tango Charities’ Feed the City program and put together Purim gift bags to be delivered to Jewish seniors.
Lovepacs, which serves thousands of schoolchildren in need each year, has been the congregation’s priority project this year. Members of all ages decorated the boxes in which food is delivered. In addition, synagogue members donated money to support transportation of the boxes from the packing center.
Children in Plano ISD’s Head Start program at Meadows Elementary School are the beneficiaries of the shelf-stable foods sent home with students to keep them nourished over fall, winter and spring breaks, when school is not in session and meals are not served. The school is a federally funded early childhood program for 3- and 4-year-old children from low-income families in the district.
“We are grateful to our community partners for their commitment to our students and families. From generous donations of shelf-stable food, clothing and household essentials, they have consistently stepped forward to ensure our families have the resources they need to thrive,” said Dara Villalpando, director of Plano ISD Head Start. “This outpouring of support provides more than just physical resources; it offers a sense of security and a reminder to our families that they are never alone. This collective kindness ensures that when our children walk into the classroom, they do so knowing they have an entire community believing in their potential and rooting for their success.”
Students at Adat Chaverim’s Hineni Learning Center have also gotten involved, writing notes to students for the Lovepacs project and learning to knit and create hats for children going through cancer treatments.
“Being involved in mitzvah projects is so important and we have to be proactive if we want to help others to grow and survive,” said Robyn LaCour, who, with fellow Adat Chaverim member Jane Shook, has coordinated the Lovepacs effort. “Jews give back. It’s what we do.”
“Social action work is a fundamental part of being Jewish and we hold on to that deeply,” said Jonathan Goldstein, president of the congregation. “We have really made it a focal point of our congregation and our service to others has enriched our community and made us a more impactful group of people who gather together.”
