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 & Spring Mitzvah Mania 2020
Fight The Fire Sunday, February 9th 1:00-2:30 PM at Congregation Beth El 222 Irvington Ave, South Orange Collect and donate school supplies for a town affected by the fires in Australia. Participants will also learn about what they can do to help the environment.
Paint and Chat Wednesday, February 19th 4:00-5:00 PM at Lester Senior Housing Explore your inner artist and join us for a painting class alongside residents of Lester Senior Housing in Whippany!
Card Making for Our Healthcare Heroes Thursday, May 21st 4:00-5:00 PM Write and send letters of gratitude to our local front-line workers who continue to help our community in these uncertain times!
Brownie in a Cup Wednesday, May 27th 4:00-5:00 PM Enjoy an easy brownie baking session for local teens! All you need is flour, sugar, cocoa, salt, and vanilla extract!
Yoga and Mindfulness Class Sunday, May 31st 2:00-3:00 PM Join us to relax with yoga and mindfulness practices. Participants can come together to take a break from current anxieties.
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.
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
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
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
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