Have you been challenged? For two weeks now Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram feeds, as well as inboxes all over town, have been jam packed with children and adults saying brachot.
The Yavneh Brachot challenge originated in the 5th grade at Yavneh Academy and has now spread to schools across the country. The idea is simple: Say a bracha, nominate three others to do the same, and donate an item to a food pantry. The result is spreading awareness of an important mitzvah to everyone you know through social media.
Rabbi Jonathan Knapp, Yavneh Academy Head of School, explained, “The bracha challenge represents one of our core values, namely inspiring our children towards religion with passion and exuberance. It is a wonderful example of how today’s technology can be employed to enhance mitzvah observance.”
Yavneh 5th grader Maya Galandauer said, “Sometimes people forget to make brachot on foods, and this was a fun way to remind them to always make a bracha before they eat.” Maya’s mother, Ruti Galandauer also commented, “It was nice to see the #yavnehbrachotchallenge start with the Yavneh 5th graders and quickly spread amongst all age children from various schools. Seeing all these amazing videos on Facebook and Instagram is sure to bring a smile to everyone’s face while reminding them to always make a bracha on their food.”
Rabbi Steven Penn, Assistant Principal Judaic Studies for grades 1-5 added, “I loved the idea of the Brahca challenge. It raised the awareness of the importance of thanking Hashem for our food and it was fun for the students and their families. Children were arriving at school and saying, ‘I was nominated for the Bracha Challenge last night; I am going to do my video tonight.’ Children as young as t2 years old have participated and we have already reached five states and two other countries. We even had parents sending nominations to grandparents and friends.”
Hundreds of people have already taken the challenge. The 5th graders at Yavneh Academy are thrilled that their initiative has inspired so many people to partake in this exciting challenge and hope that this will remind us all to do this valuable mitzvah.
