Performing
deeds of loving kindness is a timeless Jewish value
and an on-going Barrack Hebrew Academy tradition. Chesed programs offer
Barrack Hebrew Academy students of all ages the opportunity to give
back to the Jewish community and the community at
large. Unlike traditional clubs that meet on a scheduled
basis, Chesed provides a number of volunteer options
throughout the year. Students can participate in one-time
events or become involved with on-going programs,
making a positive difference. A number of ongoing Chesed programs are listed below.
January 2006:
As usual on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Gail Simon and a whole host of Barrack Hebrew Academy students did us proud at the Pinn Baptist Memorial Church today. There was an especially large turnout of seniors and 10th grade girls, who helped paint murals, package over 200 toiletries packages for homeless shelters, read books on tape and participate in a number of other community-service activities.
Carol McMichael, Tasha Vigoda, and several Barrack Hebrew Academy parents also took part. This event was a joint Jewish-African-American/faith community event and included kosher pizza (!) for lunch. It was a tremendous success and it was particularly gratifying to see Gail recognized as one of the organizers by being called upon to read from Psalm 100 during the opening "ceremony," as it were.
Kol ha-kavod (good job!) to all of the staff, parents, and most especially, the kids for making sure that MLK day was, in fact, a "day on, not a day off."
November 2005:
The Talmud tells us that the world is built upon Chessed (acts of kindness). It is one of the most foundational of Jewish obligations. Fortunately, we have a group of teachers and students (under Mrs. Simon's guidance) who are dedicated to pursuing chessed in Barrack Hebrew Academy's name and they have been particularly busy during the Novemeber.
* On Sunday, Mira brought collections from Barrack Hebrew Academy to add to a convoy of materials headed south for those who remain dislocated because of Katrina.
* Yesterday (and for several days before), chessed club members cooked lunch for the whole school and donated the leftovers to LifeCenter, a place that provides meals to those without.
* Last night, a group of ten seniors (Adam, Aaron, Eric, Max, Matt, Bruce, Nomi, Julie, Naomi, and Amalia) went to Life Center to play music for the LifeCenter regulars and to help unload Turkeys for Thursday's Thanksgiving feast.
* A number of students and recent alumni are going over to LifeCenter on Thurs. morning to help serve breakfast. Please contact Gail if you would like to help out.
* This morning, SA and the Chessed club joined forces to bring the Red Cross here for the blood drive. The impetus for this extra blood drive this year was the devastation caused by Katrina and other recent natural disasters.
* The ninth grade will be heading out to their second Chessed project of the year on Nov. 30.
* After returning from Thanksgiving, students will resume their regular visits to the Mann school and to the St. Barnabas shelter to help the kids there with reading and homework.
A special thank you to Gail, the heads of the Chessed club (Monica, Naomi and Amalia) and to all of the students who have participated in the various chessed projects. They make us proud.
Chesed Projects:
St.
Barnabus Shelter:
Barrack Hebrew Academy students volunteer at the St. Barnabus Shelter
for women and children on Tuesdays after school, helping
the children with their homework, reading to them
and participating in recreational activities.
Friendship Circle: Barrack Hebrew Academy student volunteers work with Jewish children who have special needs, interacting with them at a number of community events, including Sukkot and Hanukkah Fairs.
9th
Grade Community Service: Barrack Hebrew Academy's entire 9th grade class volunteers four times
a year at MANNA, area food banks, schools, and SHARE
(Self Help & Resource Exchange,) exploring ways
to enrich the lives of others and determining where
they want to volunteer on an on-going basis. Lag
B'Omer: Chesed Club members raise funds for
local, national and international non-profits. In
2004, funds were donated to Yad Sarah that provides
needed medical equipment in Israel. Seasonal
Projects: Cooking Thanksgiving and Christmas
breakfast cheers the adult residents at the Eastern
Delaware County Life Center and brings the tradition
of tzedakah alive
for
Barrack Hebrew Academy students. Martin
Luther King, Jr. Day of Service: Barrack Hebrew Academy students
participate in this annual city-wide event, volunteering
in senior centers, shelters, schools, and food banks. Philadelphia
Reads: Tutoring children in reading at the
Mann Elementary School, a neighboring public school
in our community, delights Barrack Hebrew Academy students. Book,
Food & Clothing Drives: Students collect
books, food, and clothing for local and national organizations,
assisting those in need."Good
Vibrations:" An off shoot of Chesed,
this student group of singers and musicians entertain
at senior citizen centers and area schools.
