Mitzvah Program
We are initiating a new program in the school, named “The Monthly Mitzvah”. Each month, all children from the different classes will be offered a list of activities for a different mitzvah that they can do in order to perform that specific mitzvah. At the end of each month, the teachers will collect written notes from the children describing what they did and each child’s note will have their parent’s signature on it.
In Tishrei, our mitzvah will be Giving Tzedakah. As you know in the Machzor (the special Siddur for the High Holidays), it is written ”but repentance, prayer and tzedakah avert (help to change) the severe decree” (of God). This is why we chose to start with tzedakah.
Tzedakah comes from the word "tzedek" which means justice. Tzedakah is not a donation of services or goods. Tzedakah, according to Judaism, is a financial responsibility that is required of each Jew regardless of financial status. Even poor Jews are supposed to give what they can to support society.
Here is a full list of activities that your children can choose from. They don’t have to do more than one activity and parents can help the child with the activity.
1. Children can sell old toys (to extended family, friends and whoever wants them) and bring the money to the teacher. (Amount of money not important but the act is what we want to emphasize.)
2. Children can sell cookies that they baked or bought.
3. Children can organize a walkathon to their street.
4. Children can go to stores and walk for a donation or goods and then sell them.
5. Children can contribute from their weekly allowance or their own tzedakah boxes.
Remember each child needs to bring a signed note from their parents up to October 18 (End of Tishrei, the Hebrew month) describing what he/she has done.
I thank you in advance for being a part of this exciting program. Please help us to make it a big success.
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