Congregation Adath Israel of Newtown’s Share and Care Committee marked Valentine’s Day with a “Share the Love” community coat and food drive.

Undeterred by winter — and postponed one week due to very bad weather the previous weekend — residents of Newtown and its neighboring communities headed for the Adath Israel parking lot and donated food along with new and gently used winter outerwear that included coats, hats, gloves, mittens, and scarves for those in need. To ensure everyone’s safety in light of COVID-19, committee members collected the donations from participants’ cars.

Food was delivered to the Monroe and Newtown food banks, while the winter wear was dropped off at the Association of Religious Communities in Danbury for distribution to area shelters.

The February 14 event also brought generous monetary contributions as well as Stop & Shop gift cards.

These food and clothing drives have become a tradition at Adath Israel over the past years, representing one way of demonstrating Adath Israel’s commitment to tikkun olam, a Jewish concept that encourages acts of kindness to better our communities and the world we live in.

On behalf of Adath Israel, Sue Morse, Share and Care committee leader, offered thanks to those who supported the effort.

“We couldn’t successfully host these drives without the continued support, kindness, and generosity of the residents in the towns surrounding Adath Israel, and for that we are extremely thankful,” she said.

For additional information about Congregation Adath Israel, visit congadathisrael.org or contact the synagogue at 203-426-5188.