News from Kol Ami

on Wednesday, 26 June 2013. 

JUNE 2, 2013

In Judaism, one of our most important values is to perform Tikkun Olam - acts that repair the world. We live that value on a regular basis at Kol Ami, and we are proud that June 2nd was our first annual Mitzvah Day. What an amazing day it turned out to be!

A delectable breakfast in the gym, generously sponsored by the Zwaigenbaum and Prut families, got everyone in an energized mood. After a teaching and song from Rabbi Streiffer about Tikkun Olam, we set off on our mitzvah projects.

While some members were loading up toys and children's books to be donated to Ronald McDonald House, others were sorting grocery bags of non-perishable food items and toiletries to be delivered to Covenant House for Homeless Youth. Yet another group followed team leaders, Shelley Yampolsky and Reesa Wasser, into the chapel to exquisitely decorate cards to be delivered to Canadian, Israeli and US soldiers deployed overseas.

Two groups headed offsite to do mitzvot out in the world. We brought interactive yoga and a wonderful magic show to the residents of Leisureworld Cheltenham Nursing Home. We also brought smiles to the faces of the young patients at Ronald McDonald House with a hilarious clown, magic, face painting, toy donations and fun! Marty the magician had an ever eager pool of assistants from the young audience. It was the most heart-warming and yet humbling experience to see all those valiant little faces light up with such delight. Our fixed smiles echoed their joy, yet many of us choked back tears as we thought of the many battles that these courageous children face every day.

Kol Ami cannot save the world or cure cancer, but we can make a difference in the lives of the elderly and infirm, the sick and the frightened, the hungry and the cold. We can stretch out our hands to give some comfort, some food, some clothes, some laughter, some music and some joy, and somewhere lighten the souls of the lost and the lonely. Mitzvah Day 2013 is just the beginning and there is no end to the mitzvot that w can do together to make a difference. Join us next year for another stirring and meaningful Mitzvah Day, packed with adventure. Also, please join us throughout the year as we perform inspiring, innovative and just "feel good" mitzvot.

Marleine Kay, Mitzvah Day 2013 Co-Chair

Rabbi's note: Special thanks to 2013 Mitzvah Day Co-Chairs, Marleine Kay and Annie Papernick, and all of the members of the Social Action Committee. We look forward to next year!