Bergen County offers a variety of leagues for kids to join, providing after school or weekend fun in the form of sports or other extra-curricular activities. Recently, a new league has been introduced that is both fun and meaningful, and the first of its kind in our local area.

The Bergen County Chesed League comprises middle school students from local yeshiva day schools who come together for meets that focus on different chesed opportunities. Aliza Frolich, director of guidance for middle school at Yavneh Academy, developed the Chesed League after reading about a similar program in the Baltimore area. She first introduced the program to her students at Yavneh last year and it was met with tremendous enthusiasm, prompting her to invite other local yeshiva day schools to participate.

Frolich believes chesed should be a fundamental part of everyday life. “The Chesed League has empowered the students to feel good about themselves.” She said. “They see how much they accomplish and that they can truly change the world, even in middle school.” Yavneh’s chesed team already has 85 students enrolled and the number keeps growing.

The program is entirely optional and usually takes place one Sunday a month. Meets have included decorating honey jars for Jewish Family and Children’s Services, creating sukkah banners for Hackensack Hospital and making matzah with the residents at a Teaneck nursing home. The Bergen Chesed League is excited to gear up for its next big event, the Yad Leah Dash for Dignity, which they plan to kick off with their own personal clothing drive.

Frolich described the atmosphere at the chesed meets as positive and enthusiastic. At first, kids were a bit hesitant, preferring to sleep in on a Sunday morning, she said. However, she is proud to report that they quickly jumped on board and truly dedicate themselves to every activity. “Being part of the Chesed League really sets their priorities straight and helps them appreciate everything they have,” said Frolich. “It encourages the kids to take a step back from their life and help others less fortunate.”

Cindy Zucker, Judaic Studies principal for middle school girls at RYNJ, loves the sense of inclusion the Chesed League offers. “Until now, our students have only had the opportunity to join teams in either the sports arena or the academic arena,” she said. “While our middle school programming includes chesed initiatives during the year and many RYNJ students already volunteer for Friendship Circle, having a chesed team is a game changer. It is a great way for RYNJ to highlight the significance of performing chesed and to give students a feeling of pride of being part of special group of middle schoolers who are choosing to spend their free time doing special acts of kindness for others.”

At RYNJ, 45 students have joined the Chesed League and are preparing for their first event of the year, which will be a project to honor our veterans for Veterans Day.

The Chesed League also offers kids a chance to socialize with their peers from different schools in an environment that is engaging and impactful. “Yeshivat He’Atid is thrilled to be participating in this Chesed League together with the other day schools in the area,” said Ariela Brum, school social worker. “This is a great opportunity for our students to not only give back to the larger community but also strengthen their relationships with each other outside of school.”

What makes the Chesed League so exceptional is how diverse the participants are. Students from all backgrounds with different interests have the chance to work together as they help others.

The Chesed League has been quite successful thanks to the many school representatives and parent volunteers who dedicate their time to the program. Rabbi Michoel Goldin of the Teaneck Chabad has been a tremendous resource for the program, providing ideas and connections to facilitate many of the activities.

“It is a great opportunity for us to give attention to the vast opportunities there are to do chesed in our community,” said Leora Sulimanoff, director of student activities for Yeshivat Noam middle school. “It is wonderful to see the students, teachers and parents all planning to join together to make this program a great success.”

Partnering together has impressed on the students the importance of a community effort. “When it comes to chesed, we don’t compete against one another,” stressed Zucker. “Rather, we join together as a community to help out those in need.”

To learn more about the Bergen County Chesed League or to sponsor an event, please email [email protected].

By Andrea Nissel

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