On Monday, January 21, Academies @ GBDS celebrated MLK Day with a school assembly and a presentation about Martin Luther King Jr. by the seventh grade students. The morning continued with a seder to celebrate Tu B’Shevat. First through eighth grade students took an active role explaining the four cups of wine that represent the different seasons in Israel and the four plates that represent different kind of fruits. The students enjoyed a play about Choni the Circle Maker, while eating and singing songs about Tu B’Shevat.

In the afternoon, Academies @ GBDS’ fifth through eighth grade students joined a group of almost 400 students from other schools for the annual Day of Service on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This volunteering opportunity is offered by We The People, started in 2017 by Bergen County Freeholder Tracy Zur. We The People strives to bring together middle school aged students from across Bergen County to work on service projects while learning that we are all more alike than we are different. The students completed such tasks as: making blankets for seniors and small children, packing hygiene kits for the homeless, decorating and packing activity bags for children at Hackensack University Medical Center and creating “Go Bags” for children in the foster care system and Shelter for Hope and Safety.

“Our school prides itself in instilling the building blocks for the extraordinary futures of our students: knowledge, creativity, leadership, hebrew fluency, analytical skills, confidence, humility, philanthropy and community,” said Lina Shuster, Executive Director of Academies @ GBDS. “On days like MLK Day, our mission truly comes to life when Judaism shines through in community service and celebration.”