The idea for creating the Marilyn and Mike Grossman Caring Community grew out of the concern that more than a few members of the synagogue were homebound. In the early 1980s, the senior rabbi of Temple Israel, Bernard Mehlman, gathered some caring individuals to create a program called Friendly Visitors where members of the congregation would be trained and prepared to visit those other members who had to remain at home.

Out of this idea came a need for other venues to assist our members. It was clear, however, that such a program would necessitate financial support and we were blessed with the generosity of Mike Grossman who honored the memory of his beloved wife. Thus, the Marilyn Grossman Caring Community was born along with its committee of dedicated volunteers. With the untimely death of Mike Grossman in December 2005, the fund's name was changed to The Marilyn and Mike Grossman Caring Community Fund.

Since the fund's establishment, the committee and its groups has grown into a multi-faceted service to the Temple Israel Community. For more information, please contact Laurena Rosenberg in Rabbi Zecher's office at 617-566-3960 or email lrosenberg@tisrael.org.