A Class Act: Lower School Students' Chessed Day Activities

Each grade created special items to give to community members through Bikur Cholim, Jewish Volunteer Connection’s Bookworm Program, Meals on Wheels, Levindale and Living Classrooms.

Kindergarten, Bikur Cholim
“Our Kindergarten classes have been focusing on the chesed of Bikur Cholim. We discussed that not always can we actually go and visit someone who is sick, but, there are various ways to do chesed and cheering up people who aren’t feeling well. We designed two beautiful Hamsas that will be hung in the Johns Hopkins’ Bikur Cholim room as a sign of hope for the patients there. The Hamsa Hand is a popular Jewish symbol. When the fingers are pointing upward, it symbolizes the hope that our prayers reach up to Hashem. When the fingers are pointing downwards, we are asking for all of Hashem’s prayers and blessings be cast upon us. The yeladim also decorated get well cards to be distributed at the hospital. We are very proud of the chesed that we are displaying and have truly learned the importance of the mitzvah of Bikur Cholim.” –Mrs. Waxman, Kindergarten

First Grade, Jewish Volunteer Connection’s Bookworm Program
“First graders decorated bookmarks for the Bookworm Program at the Jewish Volunteer Connection, a once-a-month reading program that occurs in both Baltimore City and County public elementary schools and engages volunteers in reading to students. We had a blast decorating one side and sharing reading strategies on the other side of the bookmark. We hope they enjoy reading lots of books and using the bookmarks!” –Morah Toby Kaplowitz

Second Grade, Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, Inc.
“Second graders made magnets and cards for elderly residents of Baltimore that receive Meals on Wheels. These magnets had positive, life-affirming sayings like. ‘Give thanks,’ ‘Love life,’ and ‘Be happy. We hope that the recipients use the magnets to hang up their weekly menus for Meals in Wheels.” –Morah Irina Diamond

Third Grade, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital
“The third grade classes created activities for the people of Levindale. The students created coloring sheets, word searches, trivia question etc. The students really enjoyed working with friends, being creative, and most importantly doing chesed for the people of Levindale.” –Morah Nina Cusner

Fourth Grade, Living Classrooms
“Today, the fourth grade students decorated and filled snack bags and wrote notes to be distributed to students participating in after-school activities through Living Classrooms. We hope that our chesed project will help bring some good feelings and yummy food to these underprivileged children.” –Morah Rivka Bresler