By Lior G.
Sixth Grade, Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation
Every year, Krieger Schechter Day School participates in a half day of service day before Thanksgiving.
Lower school students complete projects in school to help people in need, while the middle school students travel to places in the community to volunteer. This year marked the fourth time the schools participated in the program.
The students enjoy taking part in tikkun olam, helping people in need. Brady B., a sixth grader at KSDS, says, “For this year’s half day of service, I volunteered at the Baltimore Humane Society, which is an animal shelter for pets. For me, the half day of service represents caring and love for the community.”
The day before Thanksgiving, buses full of enthusiastic KSDS students depart, ready to help their community members.
Karen Booth, assistant head of KSDS’s middle school, plans the half day of service. Booth says, “We wanted to do something at school where the middle schoolers have an opportunity to go out and help people.”
Brady confirms, saying, “I enjoy participating in the half day of service because it gives me a chance to help others in need.”
Booth explains, “Sometimes kids feel sheltered, and when they go to serve Thanksgiving dinner to people in need, it really helps them get a sense of what’s going on.”
Sometimes when children grow up in a small, protective community, they do not necessarily know the realities of the world. Brown adds, “I think we have this event because we get so much, and now it is our turn to give to others.”
According to Booth, activities are chosen based on the student interests, particularly animals, serving food and the environment. This year, students chose from the Baltimore Humane Society, Paul’s Place, Art with a Heart, Irvine Nature Center and Share Baby.
“The process in planning the half day of service is very lengthy, but in the end it is worth it to see everybody helping out. There is no better way to spend Thanksgiving than doing that,” Booth says.
“It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside to see the students doing good deeds, and I love it,” Booth continues. “One can only imagine that at the end of the day, the students feel proud and accomplished as Jews.”
The students are thrilled to have an opportunity to go out and see what is in the world, and the organizations are grateful to have more helping hands. The half day of service is one of the highlights of the school year.
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