When thinking of Chanukah, most children think of dreidels, menorahs, latkes, gifts and donuts. At Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey (RYNJ), our 7th grade girls think of chesed. During Chanukah we celebrate the miracle of light. The b’not of RYNJ, learned that they have the power to bring “light” into the world through acts of chesed.
In this spirit, the 7th grade girls at RYNJ transformed into “Mitzvah Clowns” this week to bring “light” and joy to others. This program is coordinated by the Department of Psychological and Counseling Service at RYNJ, which runs a variety of social skills and middot programs at the school. The middah of chesed has been targeted for the 7th graders as a way for RYNJ students to give back to the community and truly experience the joy of giving in a meaningful and interactive way. This is especially important at their pivotal stage in development as young Jewish adults, having recently joined the kehilla as bnei and bnot mitzvot. They learn how to dress, act, and most importantly make others smile and laugh. The students are also given the opportunity to role play with members of the psychology department and their morot on how to interact with the elderly before their visit. The children understand that they have the power and ability to bring joy into someone’s life, and have fun while doing it.
This week RYNJ students had the opportunity to put their new skills into action when they visited the Hebrew Home at Riverdale, a truly remarkable facility. The mitzvah clowns, dressed in vibrant colors, delivered Chanukah presents, schmoozed, and brightened the day of the elderly residents they interacted with, truly bringing light and joy to all, embracing the true meaning of Chanukah.
