SAN DIEGO (Press Release) Kindergarten through 5th grade students at San Diego Jewish Community will gather together Tuesday, May 28, at 8:30 am to do something meaningful to help the child victims of the recent Oklahoma tornadoes.
“Money is always needed,” noted Daniel Sussman, SDJA’s lower school principal, “but our students wanted to do something meaningful; something hands-on and personal.”
San Diego Jewish Academy reached out to a synagogue in the Oklahoma City area to find out exactly what they could do to help. The answer was “personal items”: toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, diapers and more. They asked for everyday items that the Oklahoma victims are now forced to do without.
So, SDJA’s student body set to work on purchasing new personal items to send to the synagogue so that they could distribute the items to those most in need. In addition, the students are attaching hand-written notes letting the children in Oklahoma know there are children here who care about them.
“The students were very clear,” added Sussman. “They wanted to reach out in a personal way so that the Oklahoma children especially would know there were other children in the country who cared about them.”
SDJA’s lower school art department also got involved by preparing the boxes that will hold all of the items.
“We wanted to personalize everything,” said Robin Hackett, an art teacher at SDJA. “We’re even decorating the shipping boxes; anything to help brighten the children’s day.”
Sussman is holding an assembly to provide age-appropriate information on the devastation to his students, and then everyone – students, teachers, staff and parents – will attach their personal notes and load up all of the care packages.
The idea of reaching out to those in need is an integral part of the Jewish values taught here at SDJA. “Tikkun Olam” which is Hebrew for “repairing the world,” is something all of the students know well. SDJA students also responded to Hurricane Sandy by holding “The Mother of all Garage Sales” raising over $20,000 to directly benefit the victims of Sandy. SDJA responded similarly to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and fundraising for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
“I’m reminded of a saying from the Talmud,” added Sussman. “I have learned much from my teachers, I have learned more from my colleagues, I have learned the most from my students.”
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Preceding provided by SDJA