For the second year in a row, our family made Tisha B’Av more meaningful. We decided to use the day to give back to our neighborhood first responders: Teaneck Fire Department, Teaneck Police Department and TVAC.

Chani, age 9, and Yoni, age 8, used their allowance money from the week to help contribute to the cakes we brought to each station. Then on Tisha B’Av morning they spent their time decorating posters for the first responders (even Sammy, age 3.5).

The Sussman children said that the best part was seeing the shocked look on the faces of our local heroes when we delivered the goodies.

By Shelli Sussman