Last week RYNJ students were privileged to hear from Andrew Parver, RYNJ parent and director of operations of the Hebrew Free Burial Association. After Rabbi Avi Bernstein, RYNJ middle school principal, gave an introduction to the general concept of fulfilling a chesed shel emes, Parver described the work he and his team selflessly achieved at HFBA. With a brief video demonstrating the extraordinary challenges they faced during COVID, he explained the honored and sacred work the RYNJ boys will tackle on their trip. As Parver calculated, the near 60 students will accomplish more than a week and a half of work in just an hour or so. And that is exactly what took place when RYNJ eighth graders descended on the Mount Richmond Cemetery in Staten Island. With their rebbeim leading the way, the boys were actively engaged the entire trip as they collected and disposed of leaves and fallen branches. The only concern they shared was not staying even longer to help further.

In a concurrent trip, RYNJ kohanim visited a tzitzis making factory where they learned about the entire progression from sheep shearing to the cleaning, combing and spinning of the wool. They not only walked away with a newfound appreciation for the process behind the tzitzis they wear, but also with a collection of freshly sheared wool to use on their own.