A longstanding value at RPRY is fostering menschlichkeit among its students. One newly expanded area of fostering this important midah is through chesed programs. The eighth grade girls at Rabbi Peach Raymon Yeshiva had the amazing opportunity to visit and volunteer at Elijah’s Promise, a community kitchen that serves over 110,000 meals throughout the year to those in need. The students offered hands-on help by preparing and distributing lunch for community members who walked in. It was an eye opening experience and a great learning moment for the girls to see the different types of people who walked in to receive their lunch.

The girls happily greeted guests as they entered the room for lunch, distribute desserts and even bussed tables. When the meal was over and the attendees had left, the girls wiped down and cleaned the tables and floors, leaving the room just as clean as it was when they first walked in. It was truly a moving experience for the girls to start the school year with such a meaningful chesed opportunity. Eighth grader Ella G. said she was moved by the whole experience. The trip helped her and her classmates put life into perspective and helped them realize how much they have to be thankful for. The best moment of Ella’s time at Elijah’s Promise was when she was given the job of signing people in. This allowed her to interact with the guests, asking them questions and hearing their stories.

It was such an unforgettable chesed opportunity for the girls to experience and a great way to go into Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur!