The Jewish Teen Day of Social Action 2011

by Hannah Paley

Most Jewish families celebrate Passover by sitting around a table with family and friends for a seder. Unfortunately, some Jewish families can’t afford the special foods that we eat  at the seder. On April 10, Milwaukee’s Teen Day of Social Action, Jewish teens gathered at the Jewish Home and Care Center to help  ensure that those who could not afford Passover food would not be left without it.

The teens worked together to pack bags filled with matzoh, chicken, matzoh ball soup mix, gefilte fish, horseradish and macaroons. Then the bags were handed out to those in need, who came to pick up the food.

After packing and distributing bags, Bradyn McLean, one of the volunteers, commented, “It was very eye-opening to see the number of people in our community who need help.”

The day not only helped those in need, it also allowed teens to see the difference that they can make in the community even though they are still young.  Sometimes teens do volunteer work and don’t really know who or what they’re helping, but on this day they saw how many people they helped and how thankful those people were to receive the food that the volunteers packed and distributed.  Asked about the experience, volunteer Jacob Kleiner said,  “I had a great time, and it was very rewarding to help the community.”  Everyone left happy, some because they had received food for Passover and others because they had helped the community

The Jewish Teen Day of Social Action, presented by the Coalition for Jewish Learning and the Jewish Community Relations Council both of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, Tikkun Ha-Ir of Milwaukee, the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center, the Wisconsin Council of Rabbis, Jewish Family Services, the Jewish Community Pantry, and the Rabbi Scheinfeld Maos Chitim Fund.

Hannah Paley, 13, is in 8th grade at Milwaukee Jewish Day School.

Kol HaKavod to all students who attended the 2011 Teen Day of Social Action!

Click here to see all the photos from the 2011 Teen Day of Social Action!