Introducing…the Mentsch Bench!

Back in December, our fourth graders launched the Mentsch Bench project.

What is a Mentsch Bench, you ask?

It’s a bench on the playground where children can sit if they need a friend to play with, or if they are unsure what they want to do at recess. When a child sits on that bench, it will give them the opportunity to look around and see what their options are for playing. It will also give other children the opportunity to invite that child into a game and include them.

“This idea started as the ‘Buddy Bench’ when a child from a school in Pennsylvania noticed children being left out during recess,” explains Lower School Guidance Counselor Mrs. Elana Weissman. “After creating a Buddy Bench at his school, the idea spread worldwide. It is perfectly fitting to create a Mentsch Bench, as we are calling it at Beth Tfiloh, where we put such an emphasis on instilling strong character, midot and mentschlichkeit in our children. The fourth graders have pioneered this months-long process with amazing enthusiasm.”

Fourth graders worked in committees to bring this project to fruition, with coaching and assistance from several BT staff members:

• The Recycling Committee developed a plan to help raise the resources necessary to pay for this important initiative, coached by Mrs. Mandi Miller, BT’s Director of Development. At Chanukah time, all Lower School families received an email asking for a $1 donation to the Mentsch Bench project, with a goal of 100% participation – a goal that we reached!

• The Tikkun Olam Committee met with Mrs. Rina Goloskov, BT Communications Specialist, to brainstorm different ways to share this exciting project with the Lower School community, building excitement and keeping them informed throughout the process.

• The Simcha Committee beautifully decorated the bench with art teacher Mrs. Jen Abramson with assistance from Ms. Lindsay Gaister, Youth Coordinator/Social Action Committee Leader. Mr. Keith Mosley was especially helpful, sanding the bench down, sealing it and moving it around the building as needed.

• The Chesed Committee taught all Lower School students how to use the bench, by acting out several potential playground scenarios where the Mentsch Bench could be used. Mrs. Wand and Mrs. Yurow prepared them by discussing education with them, while Mr. Singer’s helped them write the BT version of “Count on Me,” (based on Bruno Mars’s song by the same name) a song about the Mentsch Bench to perform at the unveiling.

On Friday, February 27, the Mentsch Bench was finally revealed. The Shabbat committee kicked off the festivities with a presentation explaining the Mentsch Bench’s purpose and, in typical BT fashion, thanking the various committees and BT professionals who helped coach them along the way, especially Mrs. Weissman who guided them throughout the entire project.

“The quote on the bench is from Kohelet, “Ha’echad min hash’naim tovim -- Two are better than one,” shares Mrs. Nina Wand, Lower School Principal. “We are counting the days (21) until spring when we can see the children putting these words into action!”

“I can think of nothing more important than being a mentsch,” exclaims Mrs. Zipora Schorr, Director of Education. “And that is what BT is all about.”

Congratulations to the fourth grade on this meaningful and important achievement. Thank you for modeling both good midot and exceptional leadership to the rest of the Lower School. We look forward to many happy recesses for years to come!