About the Morris Cafritz Center for Community Service
The Edlavitch DCJCC’s Morris Cafritz Center for Community Service (MCCCS) organizes high-impact volunteer programs that address unmet needs in the Washington, DC area. In seeking to make our city a more just, inclusive, and livable place, we provide a way for the Jewish community to connect to our most sacred mandate of repairing the world.
While our programs are meant to be low-barrier and engaging to all, we are fiercely committed to upholding the dignity of those we serve by only providing services that are truly needed.
Our volunteer opportunities are designed to be family-friendly, flexible, and accessible whether you can commit one hour a month or a few hours a week. We offer our volunteers the opportunity to build lasting relationships with agencies and clients over the span of years, or volunteer once and try a different project the next time.
We have succeeded if our participants leave with a sense of the great need that exists in our city and the motivation and desire to join with us to continue repairing the world.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities and Events
DC Central Kitchen prepares over 5,000 meals a day, 365 days a year, for low-income residents and those experiencing homelessness.
Join us to volunteer on site at the DC Central Kitchen. Tasks include chopping vegetables, sorting fresh produce, mixing salads, portioning meals, preparing and cooking food.
To work in the kitchen volunteers must wear long pants, closed-toed shoes – non-slip soles recommended, shirts with sleeves (short sleeves are okay, tank tops are not), and a hat or other head covering. Hairnets are provided if you don’t bring a hat. Midriff shirts are not allowed. Aprons and gloves will be provided.
Volunteers must be at least 12 years old to participate, no exceptions please. RSVP required.
If you have a respiratory or stomach ailment, for health safety reasons, please volunteer another time.
If you have any questions concerning volunteering in a professional kitchen, please email Sonya at sonyaw@edcjcc.org.
Join fellow knitters and crocheters to make handmade goodies for a great cause! Our goal is to contribute as many warm winter items as possible to distribute to individuals experiencing homelessness in the DC area. All levels of knitters and crocheters are welcome. Don’t know how to knit or crochet? We’ll teach you!
What should I bring?
Please bring your own needles/crochet hooks. If you are not already working on a warm winter item and are looking for a great project or just starting out, please bring:
- #8 or #10 knitting needles (circular or straight) or a size H crochet hook
- Patterns you’re working on or want to start
What do you supply?
We provide lots of beautiful yarn, several patterns including hat patterns using #17 needles or a size N crochet hook, and experienced knitters and crocheters to teach anyone who would like to learn how to knit or crochet.
If you can’t join us in person, join us in spirit by knitting or crocheting:
- Hats
- Scarves
- Gloves and Mittens
- Socks or slippers
- Other items to keep people warm during the cold winter months
Knitted items and yarn donations can be dropped off at the EDCJCC Townhouse. Contact Sonya at sonyaw@edcjcc.org to make arrangements. Thank you!
Want to know more or join our virtual community? Like us on Facebook!
If you have any questions about this event contact Sheryl at sherlinov@gmail.com.
22nd Annual Everything But the Turkey – PJ Library Edition
This Thanksgiving, show your kids the Jewish value of tikkun olam (repairing the world) by working together to help those facing hunger and homelessness in our community. Join PJ Library and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington at the Edlavitch DCJCC’s annual Everything But The Turkey (EBTT).
Come for a morning of making healthy snack bags, creating a gift for families in DC shelters and learning during story time. These will connect your children to the Jewish values of gratitude and giving back to those less fortunate. Everything we make will be donated to those in need through DC Central Kitchen.
Pre-registration is required for this program, and we expect it to fill up quickly! We request a $20 per family registration fee to help offset the cost of food and supplies. Please also bring a canned good for every child to make into a fantastic turkey centerpiece. These will also be donated to DC Central Kitchen.
Please note: we will be using products that contain gluten, raisins, and/or dairy. No nut products will be used.
22nd Annual Everything But the Turkey – Young Professionals Edition
Calling all young professionals!
Join the Edlavitch DCJCC’s EntryPointDC and The Jewish Federation of Greater Washington’s Young Leadership to prepare delicious and nutritious Thanksgiving side dishes for people facing hunger and homelessness in our community.
Come chop, mix, and prepare Thanksgiving-themed dishes that will be distributed by DC Central Kitchen to those in need in the DC area. We will be preparing green beans, yams, and collard greens.
22nd Annual Everything But the Turkey
Everything But The Turkey would not be possible without the help of dedicated volunteers in advance of the program. Want to help us make the event happen? Join us to set up tables, count out ingredients, arrange utensils, and hang up signs.
Thank you in advance for your help!
22nd Annual Everything But the Turkey
Join hundreds of volunteers over 2 days to prepare thousands of Thanksgiving meals for those in need at local community kitchens, transitional housing facilities and homeless shelters.
In partnership with DC Central Kitchen.
Join Handmade for the Homeless for our special December session – the BIG COUNT! We have been working hard all year to create hundreds of beautiful warm winter items to benefit those experiencing poverty and homelessness in the DC area, and now it’s time to inventory the end result.
Please also note that we will spend most of this session counting and taking an inventory of all items knitted and crocheted this year. If you have finished items at home, this is the deadline to get them into this year’s count so please bring them with you!
Want to know more or join our virtual community? Like us on Facebook!
If you have any questions about this event contact Sheryl at sherlinov@gmail.com.
The Edlavitch DCJCC embraces inclusion in all its programs and activities. We welcome and encourage the participation of all people, regardless of their background, sexual orientation, abilities, or religion, including interfaith couples and families.