The able-bodied youth of our synagogue join with children who have special needs for a fun day of playing, snacking and doing arts/crafts at a local park designed for Special Needs Kids. It is an opportunity to dispel myths about the “disabled” and to discover the unique ability that each of us possesses. Please join us. Contact Helayne Sharon.

Designed by Shane’s Inspiration, a non-profit organization that designs and builds universally accessible playgrounds, Brandon’s Village features playground equipment is over 70% independently playable for children with disabilities and also provides meaningful and stimulating play opportunities for able-bodied children.

For information on Brandon's Village, click here.  

“Upon Three Things does the World (and our Spiritual Growth) Depend: Torah Wisdom, Spiritual Activities and Acts of Lovingkindness” (Pirkei Avot: Sayings of our Ancestors)

At Or Ami, we bring light into the world and find kedusha/holiness in many ways: by helping others, through Tikkun Olam (fixing the world), by volunteering to work on small projects. We offer many social action opportunities to suit your schedule. If you find one you like, please email the project contact directly or contact Or Ami office staff. 

Take a look at different events, occasions, and ‘happenings’ here at our synagogue: our Mitzvah Day celebrations, Tikkun Olam, simchas and special occasions!

Habitat for Humanity

Join with Habitat for Humanity and Congregation Or Ami to build subsidized homes for working poor families. In addition to a down payment and monthly payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor. No experience is necessary, just a desire to help and learn. We are working currently on a project in Oxnard. Please contact Andy Krasnoff for more information.

Adopt-a-child-abuse-caseworker

Or Ami is sponsoring two energetic social workers from the Department of Children and Family Services of Los Angeles County, and thier caseloads of abused and neglected children. Congregants sponsor one of these children, sending birthday cards and/or gifts, holiday gifts, treats throughout the year, and school supplies. Choose to participate in any one of several events that honor and support these children. Contact: Debi Echt-Moxness/Janna Chambers to help sponsor a child. Email Patti Wolfson to participate in one of the special events.

Sova Food Pantry

Help feed the hungry. Volunteers are needed every day at SOVA’s Valley warehouse to stack donations of canned goods and to prepare grocery bags for distribution to those who need food. Email Brian Buckley for ways you can help.

Conejo Valley Food and Shelter

In our own backyards there are families who have nowhere to sleep tonight and nothing to eat. It is our duty, as Jewish people, to leave the world better than what we found it. There are many ways to get involved with this wonderful mitzvah: you can sponsor meals, use this as a Bar or Bat Mitzvah project, work alongside your Mishpacha or Kesher class, or bring your family or a group to help prepare and serve meals to many others just like us who are in need. It is a privilege to do this the 4th Sunday of the month from April through November. For more information, email Joshua Swedelson.

Brandon's Village

The able-bodied youth of our synagogue join with children who have special needs for a fun day of playing, snacking and doing arts/crafts at a local park designed for Special Needs Kids. It is an opportunity to dispel myths about the “disabled” and to discover the unique abilities that each of us possess. Please join us. Contact Helayne Sharon ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ).

“SOVA” is a Hebrew word that means "eat and be satisfied." Much more than a food pantry, JFS { SOVA provides free groceries and an array of supportive services to over 12,000 individuals of all ages, ethnicities and religions each month. At SOVA's three comprehensive service centers in the Los Angeles area, they offer:

Sustenance: Free nutritious food that nourishes families, helps children perform better in school, and strengthens the elderly.

Opportunity: Free on-site services including legal advocacy, job counseling, nutrition counseling, food stamp enrollment, information and referrals, case management and counseling.

Volunteerism: Hundreds of people of all ages work together each week to support the program and the community. 

Advocacy: We reach out to the community and legislators in support of vulnerable members of society in need of food, opportunity and social services.

Congregation Or Ami has been a great supporter for SOVA.  Each High Holidays, we bring food items on Yom Kippur, over 3,000lb in all!  Volunteers are needed at SOVA’s Valley warehouse to stack donations of canned goods and to prepare grocery bags for distribution to those who need food. Volunteering at SOVA is a great way to complete B'nai Mitzvah project.  Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for ways you can help.  For more information on SOVA visit http://www.jfsla.org/SOVA.