PRESENTED BY:

Join us on Friday December 25 for Mitzvah Day, Jewish for Good’s annual day of service.

Choose from more than 25 volunteer projects for individuals and families: beautify local parks, make no-sew fleece blankets, cook breakfast at a shelter, visit with seniors, and plenty more. Want to spend the day outdoors? Rather cook and bake in your own kitchen? There’s a project for you.

Can’t make it in person on December 25? Our at-home (asynchronous) projects let you take part on your own schedule.

Turn your day off into a day on, doing good for our community.

  • Pre-registration is required. Volunteer sign-up opens Sunday November 8 and closes Sunday December 20. Some projects fill up quickly!

  • Before registering, see the project list below. Note the different times, age minimums and costs.

  • Enter the total number of people in your family or group, and list their names and kids’ ages in the comment box. You don’t need a SignUp Genius account.

 
 

Click the button above to:

  • Make a tax-deductible donation, or add a Mitzvah Maker or Mitzvah Maven gift when you sign up (see below). Most projects have supply costs, which your donations make possible.

  • Order a T-shirt by Thursday December 3. Shirts are $20, short-sleeve, with our 2026 design for adults on royal purple shirts or the β€œI’m a Mensch on Mitzvah Day” kids’ tee in navy. Pick up on Wednesday December 23, Thursday December 24 or Friday December 25.

All proceeds from T-shirt sales directly support Mitzvah Day project costs.

 

Give for GOOD

$18 per person / $36 per family
Suggested volunteer donation Β· added when you sign up
Your gift helps cover the supplies and materials that make Mitzvah Day possible, empowering volunteers to turn their day off into a day of doing good.

$180 | Mitzvah Maker
Your gift helps bring Mitzvah Day to life, supporting the supplies and needs that power more than 25 service projects and 500+ volunteers to make a meaningful difference throughout our community.

$500 | Mitzvah Maven
Your gift underwrites the materials and support for an entire Mitzvah Day project β€” crafting blankets for children in need, preparing meals for neighbors, refreshing community spaces, or painting vibrant PRIDE crosswalks. One gift, one hands-on project, lasting impact.

Add your gift when you sign up for your project. Gifts of any amount help, and every Mitzvah Maker and Maven will be thanked by name in our Mitzvah Day recap.

New to volunteering at Jewish for Good?

Drop in to our orientation for new volunteers on Monday December 14 at 2pm here at Jewish for Good.
Learn about this year’s Mitzvah Day projects, ask questions, and find the one that fits you. No RSVP needed.

2026 PROJECT LIST

Many projects carry a suggested donation of $18 per person or $36 per family.
In Hebrew, the word chai (β€œlife”) has a numerical value of 18, which makes 18 and its multiples traditional amounts for giving.

2026 Projects
GET OUTSIDE
Project NameLocationProject TimeProject DescriptionVolunteer AgesCost
Crosswalk paintingJewish community campus1:00-2:00pmRetouch PRIDE cross walks on the Jewish Community Campus6+, note: spray paint exposure and parking lot settingSuggested donation $18 per person/$36 per family
Durham Parks and RecDurham Parks TBD10-11:00amBeautify local parks and public areas (2 park locations)All ages - great for kidsSuggested donation $18 per person/$36 per family
ThresholdSouth Durham10-11:30amDo gardening and grounds project at a clubhouse for adults with mental illness.Ages 8+Suggested donation $18 per person/$36 per family
Tree Planting with Durham County Sustainability Office and Keep Durham BeautifulDurham location TBD2-3:30pmPlant and mulch new trees.Ages 12+Suggested donation $18 per person/$36 per family
Beautify Jewish CampusJewish community campus10-11:30amWork on the Jewish for Good Youth and Family Hub garden and landscapingAges 10+Suggested donation $18 per person/$36 per family
COOK AND BAKE
Project NameLocationProject TimeProject DescriptionVolunteer AgesCost
Durham Rescue MissionEast Durham7:30-10amMake and serve breakfast for 300 shelter residents. Food can be cooked on site or cooked at home and brought in.Age 10+Cost of ingredients for dishes, $50-$100
First respondersAt your local police or fire stationAnytimeDeliver a home cooked dessert to on-duty firefighters or police officers at your local station.All agesCost of ingredients for dishes, $20-$30
Families Moving Forward Jewish community campus10-11amBake or buy sweet treats at home, meet at the J to assemble cookie trays and make cards for residents of the family shelter.Ages 6+Cost of ingredients for dishes, $20-$30
Ronald McDonald House DurhamDurham, near Duke8-11amCook and serve brunch for 60 family members of sick children. You must cook on site or bring sealed store-bought items, nothing home cooked. Age 13+Cost of ingredients for dishes, $50-$100
Soup MakingAt homeAnytimePut together dry soup mixes for clients at Urban Ministries' and Jewish for Good's food pantries.All ages - great for kidsCost of supplies, $75-$150
Urban MinistriesDowntown Durham7-9amCook and serve breakfast to 150-200 guests at the shelter. Food can be cooked on site or cooked at home and brought in.Age 12+ Cost of ingredients for dishes, $50-$100
SERVING VULNERABLE PEOPLE
Project NameLocationProject TimeProject DescriptionVolunteer AgesCost
Caring HouseCentral Durham10-11:30amDeep clean and organize house for patients at Duke Cancer hospital, bring treats to leave for residents. This project is designated for people in the Friends for Good program for disabilities and their families and friends.Ages 10+Suggested donation $18 per person/$36 per family
NC Diaper BankJewish community campus10-11:30amRepackage diapers from diaper drive for families in need.All agesSuggested donation $18 per person/$36 per family
Carol WoodsNorthern Chapel Hill2:30-3:30pmVisit and carol with residents.All ages - great for kidsSuggested donation $18 per person/$36 per family
Brookdale MeadowmontWestern Chapel Hill10-11:30amVisit and carol with residents.All ages - great for kidsSuggested donation $18 per person/$36 per family
Note in the PocketJewish community campus10-11:30amSort and organize donated clothing that goes to families in need.Age 13+Suggested donation $18 per person/$36 per family
Pettigrew Nursing HomeCentral Durham10:30am-noonVisit and carol with residents.All ages - great for kidsSuggested donation $18 per person/$36 per family
CARING FOR ANIMALS
Project NameLocationProject TimeProject DescriptionVolunteer AgesCost
Animal Protection SocietyCentral Durham10am-noonWalk dogs and tidy dog walking area.Ages 16+Suggested donation $18 per person/$36 per family
Toys For DogsJewish community campus10-11:30amMake fleece dog toys to be delivered to local animal shelters.All ages - great for kidsSuggested donation $18 per person/$36 per family
MAKE THINGS FOR OTHERS
Project NameLocationProject TimeProject DescriptionVolunteer AgesCost
Blanket Durham/Linus projectJewish community campus10-11amMake no-sew fleece blankets to be delivered to Project Linus.Ages 6+Suggested donation $18 per person/$36 per family
Sibling Activty kitsAt homeanytimeMake activity kits for siblings of hospitalized children through Ronald McDonald House.All ages - great for kidsCost of materials, $25-$75
Meals on Wheels placematsJewish community campus10-11amMake placements to be delivered with hot meals to Meals on Wheels participants.All ages - great for kidsCost of materials, $25-$50
Card MakingJewish community campus10-11amMake winter greeting cards for seniors in nursing homes and assisted livings.All ages Suggested donation $18 per person/$36 per family
Habitat for HumanityJewish community campus10-11amAssemble Welcome Baskets for new Habitat participants.All agesCosts of materials, $50-$75
Israel Center Letters to Lone Soldiers - AT HOMEAt homeanytimeWrite letters or make cards for lone soldiers serving in the IDF.All agesCost of letter/card supplies, $5-$15
Israel Center Letters to Lone Soldiers - AT THE JJewish community campus10-11amWrite letters or make cards for lone soldiers serving in the IDF.All agesSuggested donation $18 per person/$36 per family
Kindness kitsAt homeAnytimePut together kindness kits to keep in your car and share with people in need you see at intersections.All ages - great for kidsCost of supplies, $25-$50+
PJ Library Mini Mitzvah ZoneJewish community campus10-11:30amDo a variety of fun, kid-friendly mitzvah projects designed to teach about Jewish values.Families with kids 2-8Suggested donation $18 per person/$36 per family

FAQs

More Questions?

Contact Madeline at mseltman@jewishforgood.org or 919-354-4938.

 

MITZVAH DAY IS PRESENTED BY