Chesed Committee
Dear MDS Parents,
We would like to acquaint you with a very important function within the MDS Community. The Chesed Committee, headed by Pia Rubin and Rachel Solomons , arranges meals for families in need, collects used clothes and toys for donation and assists with other student chesed projects, as well as supports the organization of a Tehillim group every morning in school, in addition to other activities.
Following are descriptions of some of the Chesed Committee’s diverse opportunities. Please read through them and accept our invitation to volunteer your time. Your participation is greatly needed and much appreciated.
Thank you so very much.
Pia (212-873-6256 or pia.rubin@yahoo.com) and
Rachel (212-362-5652 or rachelesolomons@gmail.com)
Cook a Little More This Week and Help Someone in Need
The Chesed Committee arranges meals for MDS families that are celebrating a birth or are dealing with an illness or death in the family. If you hear of anyone within our school, who could benefit from this mitzvah, please call or email Pia or Rachel.
Students Can Truly Learn Valuable Lessons of Loving-Kindness
Throughout the school year, the Chesed Committee looks forward to hosting chesed projects that involve MDS students. What better way to teach love and compassion than by hands-on lesson? Students will be encouraged to collect used clothes, toys, reading glasses, and even cellular phones and to package these items for distribution by various organizations. The dates for collections will be announced. In addition, students may have the opportunity to prepare meals and treats for neighborhood soup kitchens, make care packages for soldiers in Iraq , write letters to support soldiers in Israel and Iraq , and create birthday cards for the elderly in the community. Also, 7th and 8th graders need to fulfill 35 hours of chesed work per school year. Another way to meet the requirement now is to offer after-school tutoring to children whose parents have difficulty helping them with the Hebrew and Torah-related portions of the homework. Please contact Pia or Rachel if your son or daughter is interested in the tutoring.
Five Minutes Can Make a World of Difference!
The power of Tefillah is tremendous. Each morning, a group of parents (organized by Bluma Snyder with the help of the Chesed Committee) meets to recite Tehillim for the ill and infirm as well as for soliders in Israel/Iraq and anyone in crisis. The group begins after 8AM (after drop-off) in the school library.
We have Tehillim booklets available in Hebrew and English, and each of the twenty-five booklets takes just five minutes to read. Whether you go through one or more booklets in a morning, whether you come once or five times per week -- any amount of Tehillim recited makes a difference!
Best wishes for a successful and meaningful school year. We look forward to hearing from you!
The Chesed Committee
Pia Rubin & Rachel Solomons