This page highlights the projects and details from the past few years of Mitzvah Mania programs. For current service offerings, click here, and for information about older service projects, contact Avi Remetz at aremetz@jfedgmw.org
Winter and Spring Mitzvah Mania 2019
Three teams of teen leaders in our Iris Teen Mitzvot program worked throughout the year to develop unique WINTER AND SPRING MITZVAH MANIA projects. These events took place all throughout Greater MetroWest. Overall, 98 volunteers engaged in these projects, many attending multiple events. Click the links below for pictures from each service event!
"In Their Shoes"
Sunday February 3rd 1:00-3:00 PM
at JCC Metrowest in West Orange
Participate in Rachel Coalition's "In Their Shoes" program as well as create care packages for families of domestic violence.
Toni's Kitchen
Sunday February 24th
at Etz Chaim Synagogue
Create a full meal to be donated to Toni's Kitchen.
Hummus Hang Out
Sunday March 10th 1:00-3:00 PM
at Lester Senior Housing
Made hummus to be enjoyed with the seniors.
Share the Warmth
Wednesday May 8th 6:00-8:00 PM
at JCC Metrowest in West Orange
Created blankets and pillows for people undergoing homelessness.
Bag It Up
Sunday May 19th 1:00-3:00 PM
at JCC Metrowest in West Orange
Created care packs to be kept in participants cars, to then be distributed to homeless people that participants pass on their daily commute.
Backpack Buddies
Wednesday June 12th 7:00- 8:30 PM
at JCC of Central New Jersey in Scotch Plains
Donated and sorted any slightly used or new school supplies for students struggling with poverty.
"In Their Shoes"
Sunday February 3rd 1:00-3:00 PM
at JCC Metrowest in West Orange
Participate in Rachel Coalition's "In Their Shoes" program as well as create care packages for families of domestic violence.
Toni's Kitchen
Sunday February 24th
at Etz Chaim Synagogue
Create a full meal to be donated to Toni's Kitchen.
Hummus Hang Out
Sunday March 10th 1:00-3:00 PM
at Lester Senior Housing
Made hummus to be enjoyed with the seniors.
Share the Warmth
Wednesday May 8th 6:00-8:00 PM
at JCC Metrowest in West Orange
Created blankets and pillows for people undergoing homelessness.
Bag It Up
Sunday May 19th 1:00-3:00 PM
at JCC Metrowest in West Orange
Created care packs to be kept in participants cars, to then be distributed to homeless people that participants pass on their daily commute.
Backpack Buddies
Wednesday June 12th 7:00- 8:30 PM
at JCC of Central New Jersey in Scotch Plains
Donated and sorted any slightly used or new school supplies for students struggling with poverty.
SPRING 2018 - PAST PROJECTS
Three teams of teen leaders in our Iris Teen Mitzvot program worked throughout the year to develop unique SPRING MITZVAH MANIA projects and assist with the BIGGIVE and J-SERVE. These events took place during the Spring semester of 2018 all throughout Greater MetroWest. Overall, 94 volunteers engaged in these projects (excluding the BIGGIVE and J-SERVE), many attending multiple events. Click the links below for pictures from each service event!
Hamantaschen Bake for Seniors and Interfaith Food Pantry on 2/25/18
Hamantaschen Bake and Mischloach Manot packing
The BIGGIVE for Jewish Federation on 3/11/18
Teens participate in a massive phonathon to try to get donations for Federation
Kids Helping Kids at Adath Shalom on 3/18/18
Teens working with kids to bring support to other children
Matzo Mitzvah at Cong. Etz Chaim for Toni’s Kitchen on 3/25/18
Make and prepare food to be delivered to Toni's Kitchen
J-SERVE on 4/15/18 (Video)
International Day of Jewish Teen Service. It is a day where you will have a chance to do some good, to be an altruist.
Adath Shalom Mitzvah Gardening on 4/29/18
Planting and Picking in Adath Shalom Mitzvah Garden
BBQ for Homeless Solutions in Morristown on 5/31/18
Making and preparing food for Homeless Solutions in Morristown to give to homeless people
JFS Gardening and Pantry Support on 6/24/18
Gardening and Pantry Support with JFS
Planting Saplings at Watchung Reservation on 6/26/18
Planting Saplings at Watchung Reservation
Hamantaschen Bake for Seniors and Interfaith Food Pantry on 2/25/18
Hamantaschen Bake and Mischloach Manot packing
The BIGGIVE for Jewish Federation on 3/11/18
Teens participate in a massive phonathon to try to get donations for Federation
Kids Helping Kids at Adath Shalom on 3/18/18
Teens working with kids to bring support to other children
Matzo Mitzvah at Cong. Etz Chaim for Toni’s Kitchen on 3/25/18
Make and prepare food to be delivered to Toni's Kitchen
J-SERVE on 4/15/18 (Video)
International Day of Jewish Teen Service. It is a day where you will have a chance to do some good, to be an altruist.
Adath Shalom Mitzvah Gardening on 4/29/18
Planting and Picking in Adath Shalom Mitzvah Garden
BBQ for Homeless Solutions in Morristown on 5/31/18
Making and preparing food for Homeless Solutions in Morristown to give to homeless people
JFS Gardening and Pantry Support on 6/24/18
Gardening and Pantry Support with JFS
Planting Saplings at Watchung Reservation on 6/26/18
Planting Saplings at Watchung Reservation
SPRING 2017 - PAST PROJECTS
With the help of the Justice League and Iris Teen Mitzvot, for the first time we have hosted a wide array of spring service offerings, which we have called Spring Mitzvah Mania.
“In Her Shoes”
These events for 2017 started out strongly with a full capacity (20 teens) “In Her Shoes” domestic abuse educational simulation and support program run by Rachel Coalition on Martin Luther King Day (a school and Federation holiday)
Challah Bake
Teens participated in the Jewish Federation’s Challah Bake on February 7, making Challah for community members
“Purim-On-The-Go”
Spreading cheer and delivering mishloach manot to residents of Lester Senior Housing with “Purim-On-The-Go” on March 12
“Daffodil Day”
Welcoming in spring by helping run Reeves Reed Arboretum’s family festival “Daffodil Day” on April 23
Planting Day
Planting at the community garden of Jewish Family Service Central was held on May 21
With the help of the Justice League and Iris Teen Mitzvot, for the first time we have hosted a wide array of spring service offerings, which we have called Spring Mitzvah Mania.
“In Her Shoes”
These events for 2017 started out strongly with a full capacity (20 teens) “In Her Shoes” domestic abuse educational simulation and support program run by Rachel Coalition on Martin Luther King Day (a school and Federation holiday)
Challah Bake
Teens participated in the Jewish Federation’s Challah Bake on February 7, making Challah for community members
“Purim-On-The-Go”
Spreading cheer and delivering mishloach manot to residents of Lester Senior Housing with “Purim-On-The-Go” on March 12
“Daffodil Day”
Welcoming in spring by helping run Reeves Reed Arboretum’s family festival “Daffodil Day” on April 23
Planting Day
Planting at the community garden of Jewish Family Service Central was held on May 21
| spring_mitzvah_mania_2017_calendar.pdf |
SUMMER 2016 - Past Projects
For summer 2016, 57 teens participated in 10 days of HANDS-ON Jewish Service Learning
Each event included community service, followed by Jewish learning related to the topic of service in order to provide connection and context to their hard work and to bring Jewish Learning to Life.
Here is a list of mitzvah projects performed by our teens in 2016.
"Shabbat in a Box"
Packing and personalizing 100+ Shabbat gift boxes from Friendship Circle to be delivered to Morristown Barnabas Hospital
Serving up Service at Daughters of Israel
Entertaining and serving BBQ to residents at Daughters of Israel senior housing.
JFS Urban Community Vegetable Garden
Gardening the Jewish Family Services community garden and picking produce delivered to home-bound older adults through JFS.
Packing Lunches for People Experiencing Homelessness
Packing 100+ kosher lunches for people experiencing homelessness, to be delivered by Bridges Outreach. Jewish learning provided by Justice League alumnus
Julie Levine.
South Mountain Conservancy Forest Restoration
Maintaining the trails, planting vegetation, and guarding from mosquitoes in this beautiful forest.
"Buddy it Up!" with adults who have special needs
This J-Serve favorite went right to the group home of Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey (CPNJ) consumers to create tzedakah boxes, engage in recreation and
create snacks.
Arboretum Gardening
Gardening to help maintain the beautiful public Reeves Reed Arboretum grounds. Jewish learning provided by our Chief Justice of the JTEEN Justice League Macy Gimbel.
Inter-Generational Service for the Hungry!
Teen volunteers joined the residents of Westfield Senior Citizens Housing along with adults and children from Center for Volunteerism of The Jewish Federation to create about 300 kosher lunches and snack bags, personalized and donated to St. Joseph's Social Services in Elizabeth.
Domestic violence training and support **Only for volunteers ages 14+**
Volunteers participated in Rachel Coalition’s teen “In Her Shoes” simulation to break preconceptions of domestic abuse and learn strategies to help support victims. This was followed by creating supportive kits for children waiting at the Newark Family Court House.
“Feelie Hearts” to support grieving children
Hand-sewing felt hearts for children who experienced loss, supported by The National Council of Jewish Women
Each event included community service, followed by Jewish learning related to the topic of service in order to provide connection and context to their hard work and to bring Jewish Learning to Life.
Here is a list of mitzvah projects performed by our teens in 2016.
"Shabbat in a Box"
Packing and personalizing 100+ Shabbat gift boxes from Friendship Circle to be delivered to Morristown Barnabas Hospital
Serving up Service at Daughters of Israel
Entertaining and serving BBQ to residents at Daughters of Israel senior housing.
JFS Urban Community Vegetable Garden
Gardening the Jewish Family Services community garden and picking produce delivered to home-bound older adults through JFS.
Packing Lunches for People Experiencing Homelessness
Packing 100+ kosher lunches for people experiencing homelessness, to be delivered by Bridges Outreach. Jewish learning provided by Justice League alumnus
Julie Levine.
South Mountain Conservancy Forest Restoration
Maintaining the trails, planting vegetation, and guarding from mosquitoes in this beautiful forest.
"Buddy it Up!" with adults who have special needs
This J-Serve favorite went right to the group home of Cerebral Palsy of North Jersey (CPNJ) consumers to create tzedakah boxes, engage in recreation and
create snacks.
Arboretum Gardening
Gardening to help maintain the beautiful public Reeves Reed Arboretum grounds. Jewish learning provided by our Chief Justice of the JTEEN Justice League Macy Gimbel.
Inter-Generational Service for the Hungry!
Teen volunteers joined the residents of Westfield Senior Citizens Housing along with adults and children from Center for Volunteerism of The Jewish Federation to create about 300 kosher lunches and snack bags, personalized and donated to St. Joseph's Social Services in Elizabeth.
Domestic violence training and support **Only for volunteers ages 14+**
Volunteers participated in Rachel Coalition’s teen “In Her Shoes” simulation to break preconceptions of domestic abuse and learn strategies to help support victims. This was followed by creating supportive kits for children waiting at the Newark Family Court House.
“Feelie Hearts” to support grieving children
Hand-sewing felt hearts for children who experienced loss, supported by The National Council of Jewish Women
| summer_mitzvah_mania_2016_-_calendar_and_descriptions.pdf |
For any questions about Mitzvah Mania or information about how to get involved with other Jewish Service Learning opportunities, contact Avi Remetz at 973-929-2963 or Aremetz@jfedgmw.org