1. Reach out to people living with AIDS and to their families and friends through sermons, programs, bulletin articles and let them know that the congregation will be supportive of and caring towards them.
2. Display Jewish AIDS education materials in the synagogue lobby.
3. Hold education and information sessions on HIV/AIDS for the synagogue Board, staff, school, and youth groups.
4. Organize volunteers to work with AIDS service organizations. For example, synagogue members can volunteer to cook and/or deliver meals to homebound people with AIDS.
5. Develop HIV/AIDS policies for the synagogue, using examples in the United Synagogue AIDS manual for Synagogue Leaders and Solomon Schechter Day School AIDS Advisory.
6. Hold a service of comfort and hope for people living with AIDS or a memorial service for those who have died from AIDS. Publicize the event widely.
7. Open the synagogue to local AIDS service organizations if they need space to hold training programs, support groups, and the like. Start an AIDS support group in the synagogue.
8. Establish a support group for family members of people living with AIDS.
9. Organize a visit by synagogue members to AIDS patients in the local hospital. Encourage members who are interested to make these bikkur holim visits a regular activity.
10. Start a "buddy" program that brings together synagogue members and people living with AIDS. Contact the local Jewish Board of Family Services to find out how.
11. Create a "host" program to assist people from out of town who are visiting relatives or loved ones with AIDS. Prepare information about accommodations and transportation in your city, arrange home hospitality for showboat meals, and offer to accompany visitors to the hospital.
12. Give tzedakah to an AIDS organization. List the donation in the synagogue bulletin.
13. Encourage other synagogues and local Jewish organizations to address HIV/AIDS issues.
14. Collect over-the-counter medications and personal hygiene products

Over-the-counter medications are a particular problem for people living with AIDS. Many can't be accessed through Medicaid, which pays for prescription medications only. Food stamps also do not pay for medications. So some common items become difficult to obtain. One method for raising people's awareness of this problem and getting them to help is to encourage people to buy two over-the-counter products whenever they buy one for themselves. Set a collection date every six weeks. Please note that all medications are made available for people living with AIDS in consultation with their physicians.

The following list is a sampling of some of the needed products:

Tylenol
Antacids (liquid form)
Benadryl
Pepto-Bismol or similar
Preparation H or similar
Band-Aids
Betadine
Antiseptic creams
Di-Gel
Bacitracin Ointment
Simethicone
Ibuprofen
Buffered aspirin
Cough drops
Vicks Vapo-rub or similar
Epsom Salts
Milk of Magnesia, Metamucil and/or Colace
Hydrogen Peroxide
Cold and flu remedies (non-alcoholic)
Vitamins (multis, C, E, iron, mineral supplements, beta carotene, NAC)
Skin creams and anti-itch lotions (hydrocortisone creams)
Sudafed

Personal Hygiene Products:

Toothbrushes
Wash cloth and hand towel
Combs and brushes
Disposable razors
Condoms
Dental Floss
Soap (hypo allergenic)
Toothpaste (preferably for sensitive teeth and gums or Mentadent)
Talcum powder and antifungal powder
Tampons and sanitary napkins
Shaving cream
Kleenex
Mouth wash
Shampoo (hypo allergenic)
Deodorants

Collect household supplies for people living with AIDS

If you can barely afford to pay for food, buying simple household supplies become a real challenge. People living with AIDS need to live in an environment which won't make them sick, yet they may not be able to afford to buy the very items which can help them keep the germs to a minimum. They also need to be able to prepare meals, which means they need basic kitchen equipment.

Basic Kitchen Equipment

Frying pan
Kitchen towels
Can Opener
Spatula and pot stirrer
Mixing bowls
Rubber gloves (the thick ones, to wash dishes and pots and pans)
1 and 2 quart pots with covers
Pot holders
Wooden spoons
Sponges
Measuring cups and spoons

Basic Household Cleaning Supplies

Sponges
Bleach
Dishwashing liquid
Bathroom cleaners
Toilet paper and tissues
Rubber gloves (the heavy-duty kind for scrubbing)
Laundry Detergent (free of scents and unnecessary chemicals)
Paper towels
Dryer fabric softeners (scent free)
All purpose cleansers (like Mr. Clean)
Mop, broom & dustpan, pail
Toilet inserts (2000 flushes or similar)