In an effort to bring families together to participate in a marathon of kindness, Areyvut, a non-profit whose mission is to spread core Jewish values, brought their Tikkun Olam Tour to MetroWest.
On Sunday, February 28, The Tikkun Olam Tour brought together over 40 members of Montclair Jewish Workshop (MJW), a cooperative of parents who provide their children with an understanding of Jewish culture and values through secular education.
The tour began at the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest, where participants were introduced to Leket, Israel’s largest food bank and food-rescue network. After learning about the organization and its mission to eliminate hunger among Israel’s population, members of MJW decorated bags to be distributed in Israel to those receiving food from Leket.
The Tikkun Olam Tour then led participants to pay a friendly visit to Lester Senior Housing, an assisted-living community located in Whippany, NJ. With smiles on their faces, children, parents and seniors alike sang songs, shared snacks and enjoyed each other’s company. “Intergenerational interaction took place on February 28,” said Dyann Savvis, activity assistant at Lester Senior housing. “The past and future came together in the present. We hope this will be the first of many for our grateful Lester seniors.”
Finally, participants met with Nick Hudson from the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation, a bone marrow and blood stem cell registry that aims to find genetic matches and donors for those in dire need of a transplant. Members of MJW learned about the organization and had the opportunity to make cards for bone marrow donors and recipients, thanking them for their selfless acts of kindness and wishing them speedy recoveries.
The Tikkun Olam Tour is special in that it exposes its participants to various types of volunteering that exist in their community and have a great impact on the world at large.
“In one day, we were able to participate in three different levels of tzedakah,” said MJW member, Cara Moroze. “On the local level, we connected with residents in elder care. On the national level, we made cards for both donors and recipients of bone marrow and blood stem cells. And on the international level, we made gifts to brighten the day for someone in need in Israel. It was a memorable and inspiring experience for my entire family.”
The day of volunteering was a meaningful and memorable one for all those involved. “My entire family found the day so rewarding,” said MJW member Jennifer Grisafi. “My son even said, ‘It feels good to do good!’”
