Jewish Federation to Honor Volunteers

They have held the hands of AIDS patients, served dinner to the hungry and found shelter for the homeless.

These are some of the volunteer tasks for which 39 women from the San Fernando, Santa Clarita, Simi, Antelope and Conejo valleys will be honored on Tuesday by the Jewish Federation Valley Alliance.

The women will be given plaques and bouquets of flowers and, more important, recognition for all the hours they have spent giving back to their communities.

“It’s a night to recognize people who do things out of the goodness of their own hearts, not for paychecks,” said federation spokeswoman Bonnie Somers.

Along with working with the sick and the homeless, many of the women are involved in educational enrichment programs, such as teaching English as a second language. The federation is a nonprofit umbrella group for 14 social-service agencies in the five-valley region and another 450 agencies worldwide.

Each honoree was nominated by her group for exhibiting one of Judaism’s key values--tikkun loam--”to repair the world,” Somers said.

About 400 women typically attend the event to pay tribute to their fellow volunteers.

“It’s one big celebration of volunteerism and community service,” Somers added.

Tuesday’s event will start at 9:30 a.m. at Temple Adat Ari El, 12020 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood.

For more information, call (818) 222-2150.