BRIEFLY IN RELIGION

Festival of Giving takes place Sunday

Neighborhood Congregational Church will host its Festival of Giving from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. Sponsored by JOY (Justice, Outreach and You) Ministry, the festival offers handmade gifts from around the world provided by Concern America and SERVV International; gifts of service from various humanitarian organizations; fair trade olive oil and soaps from the Holy Land provided by American Friends (Quaker) Service Committee; fair trade coffees, teas and chocolate from Equal Exchange.

Attendees will also have an opportunity to purchase gifts for local needy families through the Adopt-A-Family program at Laguna Resource Center and participation in Habitat for Humanity’s Homes for Heroes in San Juan Capistrano. The church is at 340 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach.

For more information contact the church at (949) 494-8061 or Sally Barron at (949)497-2343.

Chabad preschools put ‘give’ in Thanksgiving

In preparation for Thanksgiving, Chabad Jewish Center Preschool students have been practicing “tzedakah,” charity, one of the mitzvahs or Jewish Commandments.

The children, from ages 2 to 5, have been collecting cans of beans, pasta, cereal, soup, baby food, granola and other delicacies for the Laguna Relief and Resource Center. The kids anticipate delivering the food before Thanksgiving.

In addition, the Preschool PTA will be starting a toy drive after Thanksgiving to benefit the children of Chai Lifeline, an international health support organization that provides emotional, social and financial assistance to seriously ill children and their families. For more information, visit their website at www.chailifeline.org.

Chabad invites the community to help the preschool in this endeavor by dropping off new toys (in original packaging) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, call the Chabad Preschool office at (949) 499-0770. Chabad is located at 30804 S. Coast Hwy., across from the Montage Resort.

Church collects for Habitat housing project

South County Presbyterian Churches are mounting a joint effort to build a Habitat for Humanity project in San Juan Capistrano. A total of 27 homes will be built, with 14 reserved for disabled veterans or surviving spouses of veterans.

Opportunities to help with the building process will be announced.

To make a tax-deductible donation, write a check to “Laguna Presbyterian Church” and note that it is for the “San Juan Capistrano Habitat Build.” Checks can be dropped off or mailed to Laguna Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, 92652. For more information on either the building project or fundraising, contact Ric Shoemaker at (949) 497-9104.

Chanukah shop opens Nov. 19 at Chabad

Chabad Jewish Center in Laguna Beach will open its “one-stop Chanukah shop” Nov. 19 at the center, 30804 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach.

Gifts include serving platters for latkes and refreshments, Star of David necklaces and candy dishes, DVDs, music videos, books, novelties and musical Chanukah snow globes.

The shop will be open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call the Chabad office at (949) 499-0770.