Kol Ha Bayit (BST Blog)

As part of Beth Sholom’s B. Mitzvah process, each student has to do a “Mitzvah Project”:  some way to make the world a little better.  In Jewish teaching, this is Tikkun Olam, or “Repairing the World”

So what have our students been doing? Let’s hear from them:

Ella:  I will celebrate my b’nei mitzvah on April 22, 2023. For my b’nei mitzvah project, I am going to be collecting items for boxes for infants in the Mary Washington Hospital. This will be through the organization The Jared Box Project, which is an organization that creates boxes for any age of kids in the hospital with fun little gifts, and just some things to bring joy to the kids. I will be collecting items like toy blocks, baby books, bibs, stuffed animals etc. Anything you could donate for an infant will be very appreciated. I picked this project because I feel very passionate about helping kids in the hospital, and letting them know that they are not alone, we are here to support them. These boxes are a great way that we can get involved and give them something to be excited about and have fun with. This is important to me because we do not know what these kids are going through in the hospital, and giving them these boxes will let them know to not give up and keep fighting. You can help me with this project by donating items for infants (see the list of items below), in the time frame of March 5th- April 8th. There will be bins in the lobby of the synagogue where you can put the items for the boxes. I will also be asking for volunteers to help put together the Jared boxes on Sunday, April 16th, at 12:00 pm after Hebrew school. If you would like to look into the Jared Box Project, here is their website: https://thejaredbox.org/. Thank you so much and I hope to be putting together boxes with everyone soon!

Ari:  I will be celebrating my bat mitzvah on May 6, 2023.  Bat Mitzvah students are encouraged to participate in a mitzvah project to demonstrate their commitment to Tikkun Olam, the Jewish tenet of repairing the world. If you know me, you know I believe in inclusivity and staying active.  I chose to volunteer at the Friendship Circle of Virginia as my Mitzvah Project to incorporate both.

The Friendship Circle of Virginia (FCVA) is a non-profit organization in Richmond, Virginia that aims to create an inclusive community by facilitating friendships and social opportunities for people with and without disabilities. The organization connects teenage friends and special needs teenagers through meaningful social experiences (rock climbing, horseback riding, and gymnastics, to name a few) throughout the community.  I volunteered at many events in 2022 and 2023, pairing with a special needs friend for an afternoon of fun.

Eitan:  I will celebrate my bar mitzvah on May 20 of this year. For my bar mitzvah project, I am going to collect used sports equipment for kids all over the world who need it. I picked this project because I really enjoy sports, and I would like to share my enjoyment with people everywhere! This is important to me because the children who don’t have enough money to buy these things, will be able to get them for free, and enjoy sports just like I do. You can help me with this project by bringing in all of your gently used sports equipment by March 31. Thank you so much for your cooperation. The organization I am using is called Leveling The Playing Field. More information can be found at their web site: https://www.levelingtheplayingfield.org/