3. MITZVAH PROJECTS REQUIREMENTS

Every student is expected to participate in the following three mitzvot, with family support:

• Gemilut Chasadim (Deeds of Loving Kindness)
  
   
• Tzedakah (Material Contributions)
  
   
• Tzedakah (Financial Contributions)

This section describes these three categories and provides information and examples of each.  Click here to download a printer-friendly version of these materials.

As part of the sixth grade curricula, each student chooses a Gemilut Chasadim project. Please fill out the Gemilut Chasadim Project Form. This project involves on-going (e.g., monthly) effort and is discussed in the student’s final essay.

Examples includes:

• L’Dor Va’Dor: Connecting with our elderly Temple members (phone calls, visits, birthday cards, etc.).
   
• Supporting a food pantry.
   
• Visiting a nursing home or assisted living facility.
   
• Visiting children in a homeless shelter.
   
• Removing litter from a park in your local community.
   
• Working with organizations to help needy and/or disabled community members.
   
• Shabbat, Holiday and Temple Helpers: Working with Barnert’s custodial staff to help set up (chairs, tables, food, prayer books, etc.) before Shabbat, special events or major holidays. Contact Alice in the Office at (201) 848-1800 to make arrangements.
   
• Bringing our Shabbbat flowers every Sunday to a local hospital or nursing home. Contact Alice in the Office at (201) 848-1800 to make arrangements.

For additional ideas, click here.

Each family organizes a collection (e.g., books, toiletries, winter clothing, non-perishable food, etc.) in support of the needy. The Social Action Committee is happy to offer suggestions. You can also click here to view a list of suggestions. Please fill out the Mitzvah Project Collection form. The collection may be done in one of the following two ways:

• By inviting guests to bring contributions on the day of the bar/bat mitzvah. (Please note that you are responsible for removing collected items within three days after the bar/bat mitzvah day.)
   
• By taking up a collection in your local community

Jewish tradition encourages us to offer tzedakah at the time of a simcha. Because we are so grateful for our blessings, we offer something to others in need. Each student makes a personal contribution to a tzedakah-of-choice in honor of his/her bar/bat mitzvah. The Rabbi helps guide the student appropriately. It is hoped that the family makes a similar contribution, perhaps, as a family, discussing the recipient and amount.