VOLUNTEER

Serving the Community Together as a Community

Shalom Austin strives to create accessible and meaningful volunteer experiences for all ages and interests that are rooted in tikkun olam (repairing the world), a central tenet of Judaism. By engaging the community in acts of tzedekah (justice) and gemilut chasadim (acts of loving-kindness) we as a community can work together toward tikkun olam.

INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?

Volunteers allow Shalom Austin to fulfill its mission to the Jewish community and the greater Austin community. Bringing light to those dark areas of our world, volunteering at Shalom Austin will impact your life as much as those you serve.

There are many ways to give back. Whatever your path to developing your influence on Austin’s Jewish community, we can guide you. By investing time, talent, treasure or all three, through Shalom Austin, your gift and involvement will do more good for more people — including you — than you may have thought possible.

Below are some of our current opportunities.
For the most up-to-date listings of volunteer opportunities, contact joan.maniere@shalomaustin.org.

Volunteer Interest Form

Join Our Facebook Group for Volunteers

Jewish Family Service food pantry stocked full of donated canned goods.

Support the Shalom Austin Jewish Family Service Food Pantry

We serve the Jewish community and beyond here in Austin. Our ability to offer assistance relies on the support of the Shalom Austin community. To keep the Food Pantry stocked, donate through our monthly signups, drop food off at the collection basket at the JCC welcome desk, and/or organize a food drive at your job, school, or synagogue. Furthermore, we rely on our volunteers to prepare the bags, make deliveries, and organize food drives.

To learn more, contact joan.maniere@shalomaustin.org.

Donate Now

JFSCouriers

This program is designed to provide food, donations, and holiday gifts to our JFS clients. It can be a one-time or ongoing commitment.

To apply and to be added to our JFSCouriers list so you can be notified when a need arises, contact joan.maniere@shalomaustin.org.

Community Connections – Shalom Schmoozers and Patio Pals

Connect to community members through our friendly caller program, Shalom Schmoozers. For in-person visits, we have partnered up with National Council of Jewish Women for Patio Pals. The Patio Pals experience offers an opportunity to form connections with our senior community members. We will match you with a senior adult and you two will determine how often you visit and what you all hope to accomplish from the visits. Covid protocols are expected – such as masking and social distancing.

To sign up, email joan.maniere@shalomaustin.org.

Shalom Austin Shabbat/Holiday Connections

This is an informal community-based Shabbat and holiday programming for seniors led by volunteers. It can be weekly, once a month, or only on specific holidays. Whether the observing of the holiday be in the form of a Jewish text study, songs, food, humor, and/or games, our primary goal is to create meaningful and joyful connections with each other and our traditions.

To learn more, contact joan.maniere@shalomaustin.org.

Matanat Mentoring – A Partnership between Shalom Austin and Seedling

Seedling is a non-profit providing school-based mentoring program for children impacted by parental incarceration. Mentors are matched with children in Austin ISD, Del Valle ISD, Hays CISD, KIPP Public Schools, and Pflugerville ISD and will visit with a child over lunch weekly. The commitment is for the rest of the school year with the option to continue for the following year.

Contact joan.maniere@shalomaustin.org for more information.

Greenleaf Neurodiversity Community Center

Greenleaf NCC offers vocational exploration opportunities and structured social activities to neurodivergent young adults.

If you are interested in guest speaking, coordinating social events and/or fundrasers, peer mentoring, or more, contact joan.maniere@shalomaustin.org for more information.

Little Helpers: A partnership with Shalom Austin JFS and Generation Serve

Little Helpers is a program that engages children in volunteerism in the context of gemilut chasadim by offering opportunities in which they volunteer alongside their parents/caregivers. The program is spread out over five consecutive weekly sessions. Each session offers a volunteer engagement opportunity that is accompanied with Jewish concepts/teachings underpinning the activity.

Sundays 10 – 11AM
Session 1: March 20 – April 24
(No class April 17 during Passover)
Session 2: April 24 – May 22

To sign up for the Spring 2022 session, contact joan.maniere@shalomaustin.org.

WP JFS Hanukkah Wrap 2021 Group Volunteering

Group Volunteer Experiences

Are you looking to volunteer with a group of friends, co-workers, family members, sorority sisters, fraternity brothers, etc.?

Contact joan.maniere@shalomaustin.org for information on upcoming in-person, group volunteering experiences.

Mitzvah Projects

We can assist you in creating Mitzvah Projects for your Bar/Bat Mitzvah, teen youth group, school assignment, sorority or fraternity community service project, and more. Our services include planning, marketing, and assistance with shlepping to ensure that the project is a fun and successful experience for all.

To get started on a project, contact joan.maniere@shalomaustin.org.

Women's Philanthropy Lions Breakfast 2019

Join a Committee

Become a leader with Shalom Austin.

Email joan.maniere@shalomaustin.org for more information or to volunteer.

You Make Everything We Do Possible

Contribute to the Shalom Austin Annual Campaign and help us make a difference.

Donate

I am thankful to have met so many incredible people, who I now call my new friends. The fellow volunteers and staff are always grateful and genuinely happy to see me. I plan to spend many years volunteering with this group. I have been touched by this inviting community.

Dana Shapiro Spaeth

I am thankful to have met so many incredible people, who I now call my new friends. The fellow volunteers and staff are always grateful and genuinely happy to see me. I plan to spend many years volunteering with this group. I have been touched by this inviting community.

Dana Shapio Spaeth