Tzedakah- doing what is right and just

Samara Cathcart, rising 8th grade student at B’nai Shalom, helps to organize food at Backpack Beginnings during MLK Week.

At B'nai Shalom, it has been a long-standing tradition to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by using MLK Day as a ‘Day of Service’. During the 2023-2024 school year this tradition was extended to include an entire week of programming and acts of service for staff and students. “The idea is that both staff AND students participate in hands-on learning about topics pertaining to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging & Justice (DEIBJ)” says Katie Bacon, B’nai Shalom DEIBJ Committee Member and 4th grade teacher. “Our hope is that through further exploration of these topics, students will learn to advocate for themselves, as well as other people in marginalized communities, which will help to create strong, empathetic, future Jewish leaders.”

In the 2024-2025 school year, new Head of School, Eva Turner, will oversee the implementation of a new 5-year strategic plan which includes a goal that further amplifies these efforts at B’nai Shalom. Turner will lead a team of dedicated teachers and staff who will work to integrate tzedakah (doing what is right and just) into the curriculum by providing outside-of-the-classroom learning experiences through service learning projects in our local community. Opportunities will relate to service through the lens of Jewish values, and will culminate into a ‘capstone project’ in students' 8th grade year where they will serve as interns to local businesses, non-profits, and Jewish agencies. This comprehensive plan will be rolled out over the next five years, ensuring its full implementation and integration into the school's culture.

By fostering a deep understanding of tzedek (justice) from an early age, B’nai Shalom is equipping students with the tools they need to navigate and positively impact a complex world. The hope is that a commitment to this Jewish value will provide students with real world experiences that support their individual growth and inspire Alumni to become proactive advocates for change, compassionate Jewish leaders, and resilient individuals who champion equality and justice for all.