Temple Solel
552 South El Camino Real
Encinitas, CA 92024
760.436.-654
www.uahc.org/congs/ca/ca017
Target Groups: Multi-Generational Social Action Program
Temple Solel's members have coordinated a two-week homeless shelter with the local Interfaith Shelter Network (ISN) for twelve years. The ISN helps screen and refer the guests to the shelter and provides follow follow-through services. Temple Solel runs the shelter over the Christmas holiday to afford the ISN churches a holiday break and provides a special Christmas experience for its guests. On Christmas morning, the temple Men's Club serves a feast, volunteers give each guest a small gift, and the entire group explores Sea World in the afternoon. A different temple family serves as hosts each night, while bar/bat mitzvah students put together toiletry packets for each guest, and a qualified member gives the guests haircuts. Solel volunteers certainly demonstrate the mitzvah of hachnasat orchim (hospitality) and will continue to help others attain self-sufficiency as a result of this community project.