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CHESED CHESED

RKYHS students traveled to South Carolina to volunteer on a
Habitat for Humanity initiative. The trip focused on aiding the
reconstruction from the damage sustained from Hurricane
Matthew in the small communities of Nichols and Sellers, SC.

Lester Senior Housing residents enjoyed visits throughout
the year from RKYHS students who joined them in activities,
All JKHA students from Nursery-3 through eighth grade
Students collected food for JRA (Jewish Relief Agency) as part of the month of Cheshvan’s theme of chesed in participated in an incredible Fun Run experience raising singing songs, and participating in lively conversations.
the JKHA-wide Middah of the Month program. over $10,000 to support the indispensable PTC-JKHA part-
nership. Students made their way around a blacklit track
concluding 10 days of valuable character-building lessons
and daily exercises.

Twenty-eight RKYHS and JKHA students, faculty members, parents, and alumni The RKYHS Homeless Awareness Chug hit the streets throughout the
took part in a pre-Pesach hair donation drive. All of the participants donated a year to help those less fortunate in Newark. The students distributed
minimum of eight inches of their hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths, to make wigs clothing and supplies, including clothing that was collected in a cloth-
for women with cancer. Over 300 inches were donated! ing drive that partnered with the JKHA second grade. The students in
Eighth graders visited the Mendel Balk Yachad Center and
JKHA and RKYHS students collected 360 gifts for a school-wide “Give Day” with Chai Lifeline to collect enjoyed their time with Yachad participants, complete with the chug also slept outside for a night in March to feel what it’s like to
Chanukah gifts for children with serious illnesses. cake wars, games, basketball, and a pizza dinner together. experience homelessness for one evening.

All around the area, Middle School students performed acts of chesed during the
The JKHA Middle School students participated in a Color Run with Yachad week of Chanukah. Seventh graders brought Chanukah happiness to the residents at
that raised over $13,000 for future joint Yachad/JKHA programming to Daughters of Israel, the eighth graders visited the Food Bank of New Jersey to package To kick off the RKYHS shabbaton the entire high school participated in a yom chesed and volunteered at locations all around the area. Chesed activities included
further enhance and develop the relationship that students have formed food boxes for the needy, and sixth graders packed Shabbat Kits that were distributed giving out clothes to the homeless in Newark; visiting with the elderly at Daughters of Israel, Daughters of Miriam, and Lester House, working at the Community Food
with Yachad and its members. to Jewish residents of area hospitals that include everything they need to fulfill the Bank of New Jersey; cleaning up a park in Newark; decorating the Family Promise homeless shelter; spending time with people with intellectual and developmental
18 mitzvot on Shabbat. disabilities at the Arc of Essex County; and playing with children at a special needs school for children with multiple and severe disabilities and medical challenges. 19