This school year has been an amazing Masa (journey) of growth and fun at JCC Kids, the afterschool program at the Asheville JCC. At JCC Kids there have already been several Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) projects during our full day programs. Why? We believe that each child in our program is a valuable leader of today and an impactful leader of tomorrow. As leaders, we encourage youth to build Kehila (community) through civic engagement and Tzedek (justice). We aim to work with youth within JCC Kids and gage their interests to create both meaningful and authentic civic engagement experiences.
So, what has JCC Kids done so far? Our Tikkun Olam journey began with G’dila (1st and 2nd graders) volunteering with Loving Food Resources, a food bank for individuals living with HIV/AIDS or are in home care hospice with various diagnosis. The kids did an amazing job sorting and organizing the food bank. If you and/or your child would like to volunteer there, please visit their website, lovingfood.org.
Dimyon, our Kindergarten group, went to Jewish Family Services (JFS) of WNC to learn about the valuable work they do. After learning about JFS, Dimyon began the “doing” component of Tikkun Olam by creating an art project for their building and fall greeting cards for their clientele. If you would like to volunteer and/or learn about the services provided by JFS of WNC, please visit their website jfswnc.org.
After Yetzira’s (3rd, 4th, and 5th graders) first attempt to participate in a river cleanup with RiverLink was thwarted by inclement weather, we went back to the drawing board to determine what could be an equally amazing alternative. Then it became apparent: Thanksgiving is around the corner and there will be many seeking food at the Asheville Buncombe County Christian Ministry (ABCCM). Yetzira will be planning the Thanksgiving menu, determining the recipes each JCC Kids group will make, and creating a donation list for JCC Kids families. All of the JCC Kids age groups, including Yetzira, will then cook the food that will later be delivered to ABCCM the day before Thanksgiving. This project was chosen because it provides immediate nourishment for individuals facing food insecurity and it allows Yetzira to practice instilling leadership and civic engagement in others.
At JCC Kids and Camp Ruach we often sing the song “If not now, tell me when.” When we see something in the world that needs change it’s our job to identify and act. If not us, who? If not now, when? We are proud to provide opportunities for JCC Kids and Camp Ruach youth to live the Midod (values) of Tikkun Olam.
Story by Neil Garson, Youth Programs Assistant
