(Courtesy of RYNJ) This past Monday, RYNJ hosted the second Rabbi Dovid Kaminetsky, zt”l, Chesed Day. Rabbi Kaminetsky was a former RYNJ middle school principal and legendary mechanech who taught and inspired thousands of students within the RYNJ community and beyond. Throughout the school, students were engaged in age-appropriate activities that were designed to support several chesed organizations. In an attempt to give back to the community that Rabbi Kaminetsky, zt”l, was so very connected to and meant so much to him, every student participated in a meaningful program.
As the early childhood collected cans and designed signs for Tomchei Shabbos, grades one and two created Purim cards for Yad Leah and participated in a thrilling Bracha Bee with Lower School Principal Rabbi Wachtel. Students in grades three through five packed care packages for Bikur Cholim of Bergen County, which will be extremely useful for countless people in the months to come.
In middle school, the girls appreciated reconnecting with former Tanach teacher Morah Leah Silver as she gave an interactive presentation for Tu B’Shevat, followed by creative headband making for Yad Leah. The boys were introduced to Lev LaChayal via a personalized video from its executive director, Rabbi Benjy Kwalwasser, followed by jumping rope with Russell Moskowitz of Jump Into Shape (and their tzedaka raised directed to Lev LaChayal.
The sound of joyous creativity through the school was fantastic and truly inspiring. Rabbi Kaminetsky, zt”l, would be proud of the legacy of kindness he left behind, one that continues to reverberate in the hallways and classrooms. This legacy is not simply a memory, but in full practice each day.
A special thank you to RYNJ teacher Nechama Pudell for making all of the arrangements with the organizations, for preparing all the materials and for being the driving force behind this special and meaningful day. Thank you to all of the students and staff for making the day so successful and meaningful and bringing tremendous merit to Rabbi Kaminetsky, zt”l, as well as reinforcing the values of chesed and giving.
