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The wait is almost over for Charlene Tuchman. Next week the self-described lifelong volunteer will finally get her "mitzvah fix."

Tuchman is gearing up for Mitzvah Magic, a week of volunteer opportunities in the Jewish and general communities sponsored by the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation's Women's Alliance.

"When I first came here I didn't know anybody. Mitzvah Magic was my entry point into the Women's Alliance and the Jewish community," said Tuchman, an Indiana resident who spends half of every year in San Francisco.

She will serve as San Francisco section co-chair of the second annual event, which runs through April 13. Last year she was among more than 200 Mitzvah Magic volunteers who united in an effort to improve the lives of people they had never met.

Despite hectic schedules, volunteers like Tuchman headed for San Francisco, Marin County and the Peninsula to be a part of what has become an ongoing event. Many were already involved with the JCF. Others were newcomers to the Jewish community.

Together, they sang and danced for the elderly, prepared hot meals for families of sick children, donated blood, restored prayer books, spent time with the homeless, refurbished a playground, visited a Jewish hospice, assisted emigres with their job search and more.

Their mitzvah of choice may have varied, but they shared the same vision, tikkun olam (healing the world), according to Lenore Bleadon, vice president of human resource development for the Woman's Alliance and chair of this year's Mitzvah Magic.

Volunteers of all ages and Jewish backgrounds will have the opportunity to bring the Jewish tradition of tzedakah (righteous behavior) to life, drawing from more than 30 activities.

"They will also have the opportunity to sample things on a one-shot basis, which is great for people who want hands-on experience in volunteerism but aren't sure where to start," added Bleadon, a Marin resident.

Volunteers who are newcomers to the Jewish community will be encouraged to remain connected by utilizing the JCF's Volunteer Placement Project, which features an array of volunteer opportunities in both the Jewish community and at the federation itself.

When it comes to community building, Ann Bear, a North Peninsula resident who chaired and came up with the idea for last year's Mitzvah Magic pilot project, said Jews today want to contribute more than money.

"They want the chance to really see, touch, taste and feel what it means to be a part of the Jewish community," she said.

As project chair of this year's Whistlestop volunteer opportunity in Marin, Gail Geiger is looking forward to promoting the Marin Senior Coordinating Council's program, where volunteers use their own cars to help deliver meals to homebound seniors.

"These seniors need someone to kibitz with. Often it's their only form of communication for the entire day," said Geiger. "When you meet them it just breaks your heart."

For Tuchman, one of her most rewarding Mitzvah Magic experiences occurred at the Ronald McDonald House, where she and other volunteers prepared and shared dinner with out-of-town families whose children were receiving life-saving medical treatment at San Francisco General Hospital.

"We felt like we were able to do something for them, just by sharing a meal and listening to them talk about what they were going through," she said.

According to South Peninsula section co-chair Susan Wolfe, Mitzvah Magic's greatest appeal may be the chance it affords those unable to contribute financially to give back to the Jewish community. "For this group, Mitzvah Magic essentially opens the door and rolls out the welcome mat," she said.