with Chesed

Paved

Students perform acts of chesed as part of the LA Heart of Gold initiative.

One of the many takeaways from the new approach to professional development is that teachers are encouraged to spend more time thinking about the “why” of their practice and collaborating with their colleagues. The consistency of having this time each week has led to richer lesson and unit planning and a sense of deeper support for teacher growth and development. Ultimately this benefits all members of the Yeshivah as the standards for teaching and learning are expanded and clarified.

In addition to teacher and team meetings, department chairs are being trained in best coaching practices by representatives from the Jewish New Teacher Project. These training sessions began before the school year and have included monthly check-ins to build capacity around practices for teacher observations, one-onone meetings and analysis of student learning data.

The knowledge of what works to help teachers be better teachers translates into better student learning.

“The shift is now growth-oriented. We are trying to mirror the best ways we are working with the teachers to figure out if those same rules apply to students as well,” said Ms. Hidary.

The Naomi Houllou A”H Ladies Auxiliary Heart of Gold committee, under the leadership of Presidents Esther Mishan and Sarah Chalouh, began setting the tone for a year of chesed this past September at the Back to School Carnival. The committee hosted a carnival booth that invited students to make holiday cards and bracelets for senior citizens. The committee also planned several chesed trips this past fall including cooking for Sephardic Bikur Holim’s clients and senior citizens (hosted by The Center on a weekly basis) as well as packaging food for the needy at HES in Canarsie. Notably, more than 75 enthusiastic 5th, 6th and 7th grade students have been participating in the Friday Chesed Club, running hot cocoa stands, flower shops and bake sales after school to raise money for tzedakah. They also visit the elderly, Holocaust survivors, cook and shop for those who need the help, and even created a charity car wash. Thank you to the Douek Family Foundation for sponsoring the Friday programs.

On Election Day, 2nd graders ran several candy shop stands in various Brooklyn neighborhoods that were visited by parents and students who were happy to donate to a good cause. Other successful gradewide initiatives included the 1st grade winter clothing accessories drive and the 3rd grade Appreciation Project which recognized YOF security guards, nurses and bus drivers.

To highlight just two of many students who go above and beyond to perform acts of chesed, 7th grader Linda Mishan recently raised over $8,000 in one week for United Hatzalah in Israel during her bat mitzvah trip; Lynn Gindi, also in the 7th grade, is a frequent volunteer as a class assistant at the Congregation Beth Torah Girl’s Class. Lynn often visits the Special Children’s Center in Lakewood and hopes to become a counselor there in the future. She also began volunteering with CARE to assist families of children with special needs.