blogs/rabbi-avi-taff

HINENI ACTION DAY

"Rabbi Hama, son of Rabbi Hanina, said: What does the Torah mean when it says: “You shall walk in the ways of the Lord.”  Can a person really walk in the shadow of the Divine Presence? Rather, it means that you should imitate the ways of God. Just as God clothed the naked, as it says: “And God made garments of skin for Adam and Eve and clothed them,” so you shall clothe the naked. Just as God visited the sick, “And God appeared before Abraham” so you should visit the sick..."  -Babylonian Talmud Masechet Sotah 14A

Last month the students of Valley Beth Shalom Harold M. Schulweis Day School  learned what it means to walk in God's ways. Hineni Action Day, named in memory of Rabbi Harold M. Schulweis, z”l, was created to teach our children that it is not enough just to learn about and talk about giving back. Through our own hands, we have the ability to share so much love with others. 

Each class took a break from their regularly scheduled programming to give back. Be it welcoming guests in kindergarten, first grade caring for animals, caring for individuals with differences in second grade, third grade caring for the environment, fourth grade helping those who are food insecure, fifth grade honoring our seniors or looking out for all people suffering around the world with our sixth grade, students learned, through hands on experiences, and had the opportunity to give of themselves.  

Our day culminated with a sharing of experiences by representatives from each grade and an interview with Malkah Schulweis by Rabbi Deborah Schuldenfrei, our Head of School. Malkah reminded us all that belief must be followed by deed!  

Click here to see a video recapping our day. At your Shabbat dinner table this week,  think together about ways in which your entire family can continue to walk in God's ways and open your hands to be of service.  

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Avi Taff