SUMMER 2017
Registration for summer 2017 is going on right now! Visit the main page to learn about the wonderful offerings and sign up!
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. 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). These were followed by teen support for the Jewish Federation’s Challah Bake on February 7, spreading cheer and delivering mishloach manot to residents of Lester Senior Housing with “Purim-On-The-Go” on March 12, teen participation in 14 service projects for J-SERVE 2017, and welcoming in spring by helping run Reeves Reed Arboretum’s family festival “Daffodil Day” on April 23. A planting day at the community garden of Jewish Family Service Central was held on May 21.
Registration for summer 2017 is going on right now! Visit the main page to learn about the wonderful offerings and sign up!
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. 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). These were followed by teen support for the Jewish Federation’s Challah Bake on February 7, spreading cheer and delivering mishloach manot to residents of Lester Senior Housing with “Purim-On-The-Go” on March 12, teen participation in 14 service projects for J-SERVE 2017, and welcoming in spring by helping run Reeves Reed Arboretum’s family festival “Daffodil Day” on April 23. A planting day at the community garden of Jewish Family Service Central was held on May 21.
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
For any questions about Summer Mitzvah Mania 2017 or information about how to get involved with other Jewish Service Learning opportunities, contact Michael Strom at 973-929-2963 or MStrom@JFedGMW.org
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 Summer Mitzvah Mania 2017 or information about how to get involved with other Jewish Service Learning opportunities, contact Michael Strom at 973-929-2963 or MStrom@JFedGMW.org
