TORONTO — Hundreds of Toronto-area teens will be among the 10,000 across North America, Europe and Israel who will work to improve the world during an international day of community service.
They will be taking part in J-Serve, the Global Day of Jewish Youth Service, on April 25.
This is the first year that Toronto teens will have the opportunity to participate in the international initiative, thanks to funding by UJA Federation of Greater Toronto. J-Serve Toronto is a joint project of BBYO, Canadian Young Judaea, Congregation Darchei Noam, Habonim Dror, Hashomer Hatzair, Jewish student unions, NCSY and United Synagogue Youth.
“Teens are encouraged to register at Jserve.ca where they will be asked to choose a project from among several service opportunities,” says Kevin Goodman, program director at BBYO.
J-Serve Toronto’s service options include creating no-sew fleece blankets for distribution to Haitian refugees; assembling tzedakah box kits for the Zareinu Educational Centre; beading bracelets to be sold by JACS to fund its work; assisting Reena residents with gardening, baking and crafts; making calls at Hadassah-WIZO’s campaign telethon; hosting a sing-along with residents of Cummer Lodge; and working with Shari’s Mission at a bone marrow drive.
The day starts at Council House at 11:30 a.m. with an orientation and refreshments, followed by an address from Rabbi Jared Grover of Beth Tikvah Synagogue to frame the day’s activities. Buses will take the teens to their pre-selected service sites from 1 to 4 p.m., and then back to Council House for a wrap-up party that includes an inspirational talk by Robin Mednick of Pencils For Kids.
“This is the perfect chance to give back to our community that gives us so much, and to come together as a generation passionate about tikkun olam, repairing the world,” says Rochelle Derlick, a Grade 12 student and BBYO member. “There are so many different project options, making it easy to individualize the experience while… making the world a better place.”
The Toronto initiative is one of over 40 J-Serve projects internationally where teens will have the opportunity to fulfil the Jewish values of gemilut chasadim, acts of loving kindness; tzedakah, charitable giving; and tikkum olam.
J-Serve is the Jewish service component of the annual Global Youth Service Day of Youth Service America and is a collaboration of PANIM: The Institute of BBYO and Repair the World, with generous support from the Charles and Lynn Shusterman Family Foundation.
“All of us who share a devotion and commitment to the Jewish future should be moved and inspired by the thousands of Jewish teens who are volunteering to repair their communities and our world through J-Serve,” says Lynn Schusterman, chair of the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation. “Through their efforts, they are helping to make service a central part of North American Jewish life.”
For more information or to register for J-Serve Toronto as either a teen participant or an adult chaperone, visit www.jserve.ca or Goodman at [email protected] or 416-398-2004, extension 222.
— Compiled by CJN Staff