In honor of the second day of Chanukah, students of TCA middle school visited and spent time with the elderly at the County Manor Nursing Home in Tenafly. During this moving visit, students exhibited deep compassion, respect and care for the residents. Although many of the patients were unable to hold their own paint, students sweetly encouraged them, held their hands to help them paint and warmly spoke with them about the meaning of Chanukah.

The people in the room were touched by the children’s kindness and patience and moved by the depth of their empathy and gentleness towards the senior citizens. Upon return to school, the children had a chance to share the feelings they may have experienced at the home. Teachers applauded them for the incredible middot they demonstrated. One student mentioned how today’s experience illustrated the same meaning of chesed that they learned in Morah Hochbaum’s class: How performing an act of chesed can sometimes feel uncomfortable to the person providing it (as in witnessing the limitations of the residents), but it has such a powerful and positive impact on the person receiving it.

TCA is super proud of every student who took part in this incredible mitzvah!