Close-knit group spreads warmth via mitzvah project

Despite having to make adjustments for amitzvah project due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, volunteers at Temple Anshei Shalom in Delray Beach continue theirwork of knitting and crocheting lap blankets.

The synagogue’sWe All Care Committee started the project two and a half years ago. Through it, members of Mitzvah Knitters, which is part of the committee, met once aweek at the synagogue before the pandemic to knit and crochet the blankets. The blankets, which the committee calls Mitzvah Blankies, were delivered to nursing homes for people the synagogue knew.

Since the pandemic started, the volunteers have had to knit and crochet the blankets in their own homes without coming together as a group. Deliverers nowdrop off the blankets at the doors of synagogue members who have come out of rehab or recovering from an operation or illnesses, as the nursing homes theywere sent to are not accepting anything from the outside.

“When people open their doors, they see the Blankie as a present,” said Fran Goldman, head of theWe All Care Committee. “It’s a gift to them.”

Goldman said the crisis has enabled the committee to have awhole differentway of thinking.

“We’re trying to showpeople that we all care, we’re trying to connect with them and make them feel like they’re not alone.”

Goldman said the project has expanded since the pandemic began.

“We nowhave whatwe call Community Connectors, who are people in the temple that actually connect with others within the community by calling them,” Goldman said.“We have a lot of single members, and it’s

a very difficult time for a single member because this is not a normal worldwe’re living in right now, so we connect one person with another, and they become buddies. The Blankies are part of the buddy system.”

Goldman praises Jo AnneKessler, the synagogue’s bookkeeper, for coming up with the idea for the blankets project. She also compliments the project’s volunteers.

“They are absolutely generously involved and caring, and kindness and caring is whatwe try to promote,” she said.“Wewant to show people thatwe care about our members, and thatwe care about each other. Wewant people to just be kind to one another, because when people are having a rough time, kindness

matters.”

Susan Lubliner, head of the Mitzvah Knitters and a crocheter for the project, said the volunteers used to spend a couple of hours once aweek knitting and crocheting, and that continuing this project in her home during the pandemic has given her an outlet for her creative abilities.

“It keepsmy hands busy so I’m not snacking all the time aswe tend to do whenwe don’t go out,” Lubliner continued. “This gives me a tremendous personal sense of satisfaction knowing that I’ve accomplished something. I’ve created something that is lasting and will give somebody else pleasure.”

Visit templeansheishalom.org/ or call 561-495-1300 for more information on the synagogue.

AMY BETH BENNETT/SUN SENTINEL From left, Fran Goldman and Susan Lubliner hold blankets at Temple Anshei Shalom in Delray Beach that volunteers have knitted and crocheted for synagogue members recovering from illnesses.

FRAN GOLDMAN Temple Anshei Shalom member Margo Cohen with a blanket created by and delivered from volunteers of the synagogue.