(Courtesy of Areyvut) The people who make a profound difference are those who lead by example through their chesed, caring and compassion. They engage, motivate, inspire and impact those around them on a daily basis.
On Sunday, March 18, Areyvut will honor one such leader, Janet Hod. At their annual breakfast, Areyvut, a New Jersey-based non-profit dedicated to the core Jewish values of chesed, tzedaka and tikkun olam, will present Janet Hod, Teaneck volunteer extraordinaire, with their Community Leadership Award.
Janet is a 27-year resident of Teaneck. Prior to retiring in order to spend more time volunteering, Janet taught third, fourth and fifth grades at Yavneh Academy. Rabbi Gene Kwalwasser, dean emeritus of Yavneh Academy, says Janet was a “loved teacher who enjoyed working with her students and had a very positive impact on them. Her lessons were always well planned, and she exuded a very positive energy within her classroom as well as within the halls of the school.”
Janet Hod is synonymous with community and caring. She has volunteered for many local organizations including Bikur Cholim of Bergen County, Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps, The Great Big Challah Bake of Bergen County, The Jewish Home at Rockleigh, the Teaneck Food Pantry, and many other organizations. “Janet is there for Chabad lev v’nefesh in every way,” says Rabbi Ephraim Simon of Friends of Lubavitch of Bergen County. “She’s there to help, whether it comes to running errands, supporting financially and everything else in between. She is an incredibly special person with a huge heart, who only desires to bring goodness to the world. The world needs more people like Janet Hod.”
Janet is also an enthusiastic volunteer at her shul, the Young Israel of Teaneck. Deena Adler, Young Israel of sisterhood president, describes Janet as “an incredible person who has been a true model of leadership, community action and chesed to our entire membership. Serving on the board of the YIOT Sisterhood, and as an integral part of our Welcome Committee, one of her key contributions is to help foster togetherness within our community. It never ceases to amaze me her willingness to offer help to whatever is needed; she never stops working for our community and shul, and we have all learned how to be better because of her.”
In Sefer Yeshayahu (6:8), Yeshayahu says that he heard God’s voice asking: “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” In answer to God’s question, Yeshayahu responded, “Here am I; send me.” Janet Hod seems to have heard the question, “Who can dedicate herself to making our community better?” and responded, “Here I am; send me.”
The Areyvut breakfast will take place on Sunday, March 18, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Congregation Bnai Yeshurun in Teaneck, New Jersey. The formal program will begin at 10:30 and conclude at 11 a.m. Along with Janet Hod, Areyvut will be honoring Billy Cook, founder of Billy’s BASEballs, with the Young Leadership Award. For more information or to make a reservation or donation, please contact Areyvut at (201) 244-6702 or [email protected].
