Students Reach Out to Their Community

Remembering last year’s devastating Super Storm Sandy, students from Temple Rodeph Torah spent the last week focused on preparing emergency kits for seniors in their community. After collecting basic necessities such as flashlights, batteries, first aid kits, water, and manual can openers, each child decorated handmade cards to personalize the bags that will be delivered around town.

Younger children packaged candy to “sweeten the gift;” older children added disposable towelettes, extra batteries, hand warmers and paper towels and supervised the day’s activities. “We even had non-members come in to join their neighbors,” said Rabbi Shira Stern, the educator of Temple Rodeph Torah’s Center for a Jewish Future, as she stood in front of the completed kits. “First, we taught them the ‘why’ of Jewish giving: the word ‘tzedakah’ loosely translated as ‘charity’ comes from the word ‘tzedek’ – justice. What they were doing was the ‘just’ thing to do.”

Rabbi Donald A. Weber, spiritual leader of TRT, said, "This program sets in motion our theme for the year, which is that each one of us can - and must - effect real change in the world. We are commanded to make a difference. Our new president, Larry Rosen, challenged us in his "Born to One" appeal.  So we are starting with the youngest in our congregation and continuing on up."

Stern continued, "Many area businesses donated necessary items", citing Lowe's and Costco of Marlboro in particular. The American Red Cross, Jersey Shore chapter, contributed boxes of first aid kits, hand warmers, glow sticks and towelettes.  We also had a number of congregants drop off supplies, eager to help out. This is a wonderful example of community partnering."

Overall, the students were able to assemble over 100 packages to be distributed in the community. For further information, please call Rabbi Stern at 732-308-3836. PICTURES ATTACHED.