Oscar Wilde famously wrote, “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” Last week, I had the privilege to witness such kindness by joining 19 teens from SAR high school on an NCSY Relief Mission to Puerto Rico.

NCSY Relief Missions are unique in that they provide a Jewish hands on educational experience for teens, taking them out of their comfort zones and allowing them to gain leadership skills while practicing proactive, experiential Judaism.

We flew out to Puerto Rico in the early morning of Wednesday, February 12. Although the students had a basic understanding of what to expect, nothing could have prepared them for this life-changing experience.

We spent the first day repairing and rebuilding homes of families affected by Hurricane Maria in September 2017. After a brief orientation, we knocked down walls, plastered walls and ceilings, and power washed roofs to prepare for tarring. Under the scorching hot sun, the teens worked all day, only breaking when the homeowners stopped by to show their immense gratitude.

After a long day of hard work, we davened and ate dinner at Chabad of Puerto Rico. Over dinner we discussed what we learned from the day’s experience. Some teens spoke about the difficulty of the physical work, especially in light of how hot it was. Yet all of them overwhelmingly expressed how amazing it felt to give back to a community in need.

The next day we partnered with PR4PR, which provides opportunities for children and young adults from low-income and high-risk communities. Since the recent earthquakes that began in December 2019, many schools have been closed. We visited a center for underprivileged children that had only re-opened the previous week and watched their faces light up as we handed out teddy bears and toys.

Later that day we went to a farm to plant fruits and vegetables for underprivileged families, where we learned what it was like to live with food insecurity, which is when you can afford some food but not enough for three meals a day or healthy food. Since people send packaged food instead of fresh food to disaster zones, setting up farms to grow fruits and vegetables helps combat the food insecurity these people face.

The most amazing dimension of the trip were the SAR students themselves, who sacrificed their vacation to help others. The meaningful group conversations that took place formally and informally were incredibly deep, intellectual, and thought provocative. Despite the sometimes intense debates, each student respected each other’s opinion and made sure everyone felt heard.

The bonding continued Friday night with an inspirational davening that set the tone for the entire Shabbat. We ate our meals with the Puerto Rican Jewish community, where two SAR students gave beautiful and inspirational Divrei Torah. After a wonderful day of relaxing, learning Torah and Seuda Shlishit, the entire group joined together –– arm in arm –– to sing and share words of Torah, a staple of NCSY Shabbatons since its founding in 1954.

On the last day, one of the students asked me why NCSY ran Relief Missions. Here’s what I said:

“It’s not just about what happens during the trip, but just as importantly, what happens after. It’s about continuing to give back to your community, volunteering for other chesed programs, helping at a local food bank, or even helping a fellow student. On these trips, students who are part of different social circles bond. Try to continue these friendships. Don’t be afraid to say hello in the hallway, sit next to each other at lunch, or introduce your new friends to your current friends. Chesed, helping others and giving back, can take place in many forms.”

For 66 years now, NCSY has changed lives. We continue to make an impact that will yield dividends far into the future. We transform teens and advance the cause of Yiddishkeit, one yid at a time. Be a partner in this worthy endeavor.

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.”

Ari Z. Greene is the director of development for New York NCSY. To help sponsor future missions, please contact him at 212-613-8285 or [email protected]