Second Annual J-Serve

By Lori on 02/17/2011 @ 12:56 PM

Rabbi Eliezer said, ”Other people’s dignity should be as precious to you as your own.“

Have you ever thought about how a smile can change your day, preserve someone’s dignity or just make another person feel good? Last Sunday, as I walked through Lincoln Road with over 60 teenagers who were encouraging others to smile, I witnessed first hand how positivity can change someone’s day. This year, as part of J-Serve and Good Deeds Day, the Jewish Volunteer Center partnered with the City of Miami Beach to promote Project SMILE, a small program aimed to make big changes.

As I walked through the open mall, I heard loud singing. The more I walked, the louder it got until I reached a group of 10 girls surrounded by a crowd of people. Together, they were all singing “Lean on Me” and spreading happiness and cheer. Some people may have been wondering what the commotion was about, I am proud to say it was teenagers performing a mitzvah.

The teenagers also participated in a mural painting at a Jewish day school, packing Passover care packages for those in need, feeding the homeless and visiting the patients in nursing homes and hospitals.

At the end of the day, we had an opportunity to talk about the statement above from Rabbi Eliezer. Many of the teens felt that by participating in their project, they helped preserve or strengthen other people’s dignity. The teenagers felt good, that they at their young age they could be change agents and models for other teens in Miami to take action.

Comments

There are no comments.

Leave a Comment

Preview

Title
Comment

* Required information

Miami Jewish Community Study

Miami Jewish Community Study

In order to better understand the demographics and needs of Miami’s Jewish population, the Greater Miami Jewish Federation has launched its “Miami Jewish Community Study.”

Read More

Mental Health After 10/7

Mental Health After 10/7

Through donations to the Annual Greater Miami Jewish Federation/UJA Campaign and the Israel Emergency Fund, individuals coping with the gravity of October 7 are receiving support to begin the long healing journey ahead.

Read More

Make Your Federation Donation Tax-Deductible

Make Your Federation Donation Tax-Deductible

Nancy and Norman Lipoff pay their Annual Federation/UJA Campaign contributions through an IRA Charitable Rollover.

Read More

Join Your Community for Matzah Mitzvah


Join Your Community for Matzah Mitzvah


Help share the joy of Passover with Holocaust Survivors and other older adults in our community by participating in Matzah Mitzvah on Sunday, April 7 at 9 a.m.

Read More

Stay in Touch

Receive news about Greater Miami Jewish Federation events and more.