Last Saturday, We Saved the World

Teaching Good Deeds

Published on November 19, 2006 By Larry Kuperman In Religion

Last Saturday, the JCS 7th Grade, students and parents, saved the world. We didn't save the whole thing, but we started with a little piece of it.

I teach Sunday school at the Jewish Cultural School, a Jewish secular institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. As part of the curriculum, we cover each individual's obligation to serve the community, to perform acts of Tzedakah or charity, and good deeds, or Mitzvot. Each year our class raises money to contribute to worthy causes, such as Ronald McDonald House, the American Red Cross or other charities. Classes have "adopted" children in far away countries and have contributed to Hurricane Katrina. But while monetary contributions are great, nothing gives the satisfaction of actually working with your hands to improve the lot of someone less fortunate.

Last Saturday, we participated in the Neighborhood Senior Services Fall Chore Day, raking leaves and changing the batteries in smoke alarms for senior citizens.

With participation from both the JCS 7th Grade students and their families, we bagged over 40 bags of leaves. More importantly, we reaffirmed our commitment to community values.

As part of the 7th Grade study of the meaning of Tikkun Olam, I teach that the world can be saved not just through large programs, but also through individual contributions and acts of social conscience. As parents and students we showed our willingness to leave the warmth and comfort of our homes to rake leaves on a cold and wet day in order to help those less fortunate than ourselves. I truly believe that the world can saved through such acts.

These kids are all 11 and 12 year olds. No one forced them to do this. It isn't a "requirement." But they and their parents all volunteered. I am proud of them all.

Special thanks to Suzy Jackson, mother of 7th Grade student Emma Jackson, for arranging the opportunity.

Comments

Larry Kuperman

on Nov 19, 2006

For anyone that cares, I am the bald-headed coot at the left side of the picture. Next to me is my lovely daughter, Lauren. (Proof that genetics is over-rated.)

Happy 12th Birthday Lauren!

webnavigator

on Nov 19, 2006

Nice to see something like this happen; when I volunteered for a local Ministry; I did the same thing with the kids we took to "KIds Church" and so on; only picking up garbage/spring clean up. I remember being nervous the first time taking a bunch of kids on my own

Larry Kuperman

on Nov 19, 2006

It does help that one of the kids is mine.

Parents gain immeasurably from participating in this kind of activity. When I joined the JCS, the president at that time explained "This isn't like dry cleaning, you can't just drop them off and pick them up when they are done." If you want your kids to have commitments, you need to be a role model.

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