This article was provided by Beth Tfiloh Dahan Community School.
It was 15 years ago, but Faith Harrison remembers it clearly. She and a few of her Beth Tfiloh friends had just come up for air, enjoying a sense of newfound freedom now that their children were middle schoolers with more maturity and independence.
They had survived the lower school adjustment period — a time when families learned to master the balancing act of morning school runs, carpools, afterschool homework and activities. This next stage would allow them to concentrate on finding opportunities to give back to their school and shul communities, integrating the BT values that their children were learning with the Jewish family values that formed the backbone of their home and identity.
When a fellow BT parent suddenly lost her husband, leaving her with two small children to raise, Faith and her friends wanted to offer comfort and support but not overstep. They approached BT to see if there was a chesed program already in place that could form a bridge between those in need and individuals who were available to help, and when learning that such a service was not yet in place, they created Yad B’Yad — Hand in Hand.
Yad B’Yad assists recipients with some of their immediate day-to-day needs to help reduce a bit of the financial, emotional or mental burden they are facing with the goal of helping individuals and families get back on their feet. Early support may come in the form of meal deliveries after an emergency or for a family in mourning, a gas gift card for those driving to and from a hospital or doctor’s appointments, or ordering and paying for school lunches for young students.
The sentiment was straightforward, explains Faith: “A virtual hug for people in the BT community with the message that, ‘You’re family and you aren’t alone. We’ve got you.'”
Once Yad B’Yad was up and running, donations came in slowly but consistently. As Faith shared, “The goal was to give away these funds to help out as many people as possible.” As news spread about this extraordinary support program for school families, teachers and staff, the committee looked for meaningful ways to ensure that financial support would always be flowing in.
Mitzvah Miles
Beth Tfiloh’s biannual fundraising race to benefit Yad B’Yad, Mitzvah Miles, was created as a family-friendly event because the committee felt involving children in acts of chesed could best show them the value and impact of being part of a community that looks after one another. All proceeds raised during Mitzvah Miles go directly into the Yad B’Yad fund.
Faith added that often, when recipients are back on their feet, they often choose to give back — either with time or money — and that those full-circle moments show how giving begets giving.
Confidentiality
When the committee discusses a recipient in need, confidentiality is paramount. To the greatest extent possible, the committee discusses needs, not people, understanding the delicate balance between privacy and dignity.
Yad B’Yad assistance is typically modest to provide a few moments for the recipient to come up for air, and there are more financially substantial assistance through larger resources if needed. If Yad B’Yad can pay for school lunches for a short time, coordinate arrangements for carpool, or help a child attend camp for a week or so while parents are recovering from surgery or illness, that simple gesture can truly be life-changing. If a family’s needs are beyond what Yad B’Yad can offer, connections are made with other community organizations.
Mandy Diamond, the current Yad B’Yad chairwoman, shared how Yad B’Yad helped her family during a serious illness. Her family had moved to Baltimore from Australia for what they believed would be a short stint. After they felt the impact of support and care from Beth Tfiloh during that time, they chose to stay in Baltimore, deciding they wanted to make the BT community their permanent home.
Yad B’Yad is close to Mandy’s heart, and she exudes joy and appreciation when speaking about this program.
As the years have passed, Yad B’Yad has expanded its support so that assistance has often extended beyond just financial help, and now includes many areas of support to ease the burden for families or faculty.
“Sometimes someone is in dire need of a referral for a cleaning service, or maybe a family has a handle on most of their current needs but just can’t make one more phone call to locate a wheelchair with feet,” said Mandy.
Yad B’Yad volunteers have the ability to jump in and help tackle a to-do list so that families have one less worry. “Just doing dinner,” Mandy shared, “… you have no idea how far that gesture goes. You feel loved, cared for, and supported.”
The Yad B’Yad program is just one example of the warmth and sense of connection that the BT community is known for. If you would like to learn more about the BT school community, please visit bethtfiloh.com/admissions/visit/small-group-tours or contact the Admissions Office at 410-413-2323.
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