Page 12 - The Jewish Voice - July '19

Page 12, The Jewish Voice

aLL about kids

Federation’s Volunteer Center

Teaches Toddlers Importance of
Giving Back

Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s Jewish Volunteer
Center recently launched a new social action program, TOTS

Matheus Costa, a student
at Temple Torat Emet in
Boynton Beach, shopped for
and donated food through the
Publix to Pantry program to VPK students, teachers, and families from Wiston Family Torah Tots participated in a beach
the Caridad Center. cleanup day.

— Tikkun Olam Toddler Service — to teach philanthropy and partnership with Sea Turtle Adventures.
the Jewish value of tikun olam (“repair the world”) to toddlers “You are never too young to volunteer and make the world
and preschoolers. Through engaging and meaningful volunteer a better place,” shared Juliana Kohl Gendelman, chair of Jewish
Jordyn Potok, 5, participated activities, the program was successfully implemented at Temple Volunteer Center. “Young children may not fully grasp the
in a beach cleanup event Torat Emet in Boynton Beach, where children were encouraged concept of volunteering but introducing programs like TOTS
in partnership with Jewish to complete 10 volunteer hours during the school year. establishes the importance of community service as a regular
Federation of Palm Beach Service projects led by the students, who range in age from part of their lives and reaffirms Federation’s commitment to
County’s Jewish Volunteer 4 to 5, included preparing and serving snacks in the sukkah to addressing the needs of our community.”
Joseph Shecter, age 5, holds Center, the Wiston Family temple employees and peers; entertaining senior residents from This unique service learning project was made possible by
a shopping list of items to Torah Tots, the Anne and Sam Allegro Senior Living through its Friends of Allegro program; the Friedman Commission for Jewish Education, the Wiston
be donated to the Caridad Klein Literacy Program, and shopping and donating food through the Publix to Pantry Family Torah Tots, and the Anne and Sam Klein Literacy
Center. Sea Turtle Adventures. program to the Caridad Center; and a beach cleanup event in Program.

Yad Hebrew School Students students learn Jewish traditions, holiday rituals, and Hebrew environment. Each year, Yad students learn through the lens
The Yad Hebrew School is the only school of its kind where
of a Jewish value, and this year’s theme was gratitude.
Celebrate Graduation prayers in a fun, one-to-one, barrier-free environment. The
program is designed to serve children who primarily attend The One School Graduation
The J.N. Somers Yad Hebrew School for Children with self-contained classes in public or private special education
Differing Abilities celebrated students’ successful completion facilities and who learn most effectively in a smaller school The One School at Temple Beth Am recently held a
of another school year with its commencement ceremony at graduation ceremony for its Shining Stars. Proud parents and
Connections Education Center of the Palm Beaches in West extended families enjoyed the celebration, which included
Palm Beach. As part of the celebration, students showed special performances by the children in TBA’s sanctuary.
parents, family, and friends many of the Jewish prayers, This year, The One School added international flair, with
songs, and Israeli dances they learned this year. one class performing a dance and song to traditional Indian
music, one to Chinese music, and one to African music.

Sixth grader Gavin Shuster
proudly displays his
During the graduation diploma with Wilma Turk,
celebration, eighth-grader Director of Special Needs
Ethan Vidal reads from the Education for Federation’s
siddur with Yad Hebrew Friedman Commission for
School volunteer Les Simon. Jewish Education.