Purim, which starts tomorrow night, is the topsy-turviest of Jewish holidays. People get dressed up in costumes, listen to a reading of the Scroll of Esther, eat a festive meal, drink lots of wine (if they’re of-age, of course), nosh on Hamentashen, and give shaloch manot – gifts of food to friends – and mattanot le’evyonim – gifts to the poor. (Find out more about those traditions here.)
Giving tzedakah to the less fortunate via mattanot le’evyonim is one of Purim’s greatest and most worthwhile traditions (aside from partying like a rock star on Purim night, of course). But even mishloach manot can be imbued with the spirit of service. Some people like to “green” their shaloch manot, sharing gifts of organic fruit, homemade baked goods and, fair trade coffee or tea, and packing the whole thing in a sustainable or reusable container. (Check out more green Purim ideas here.)
We love the idea of celebrating Purim sustainably. But we also think shaloch manot can be a platform to educate others about service, and to make a difference in the meantime. So this year, add a little taste of service to your gifts. For each item typically found in a shaloch manot package, we’ve suggested a “serving pairing” – a little extra action you can take to change the world, while bringing a smile to your friends and family’s faces.
Hamantaschen: These tri-cornered cookies represent the villain Haman’s hat. Play up the hat theme by making a donation to Hats Off for Cancer, an organization that collects hats and distributes them to young cancer patients.
Fruit: Slip in an information card about one of the Organic Consumer Association’s many campaigns focused on supporting organic, just and sustainable food systems.
Granola Bars: Aside from GORP, granola bars are a hiker’s favorite snack. Support forest health by joining a volunteer trail maintenance crew with the Appalachian Mountain Club (or a hiking association near you). Print out a copy of the 2012 teen or adult volunteer schedule and include it in your mishloach manot.
Chocolate: Make a donation to support the work of Fair Trade USA, which supports cocoa farmers and other farming families across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. (Making sure the candy in the shaloch manot itself is also fair trade is a nice touch.)
Potato chips: Riff off this school lunch box classic by supporting education. Donate to Reach Out and Read, the early childhood literacy program. While you’re at it, slip a copy of your favorite book into the shaloch manot and spread the reading love.
Wine or grape juice: In honor of the Jewish people’s most sacred beverage, make a donation to your favorite Jewish charity or organization – like one of these!
Let us know how you’re adding service to your shaloch manot by tweeting us at @repairtheworld.
Thanks to Eitan Press for contributing significantly to this article.
March is Women’s History Month – a month dedicated to the amazing women – from Sojourner Truth and Amelia Earhart to J.K. Rowling and Gabrielle Giffords – who have changed the shape of history in ways both large and small. We at Repair the World think Rochelle Shoretz is a great candidate to add to that list.
Rochelle is the founder of Sharsheret, an organization dedicated to serving the unique concerns of Jewish women with breast cancer. This year’s Women’s History Month theme is empowerment and education – and we couldn’t think of a better way to honor that than by highlighting Rochelle and Sharsheret’s profound work.
As the largest and most influential organization supporting young Jewish women who are facing breast cancer and their families, Sharsheret is already worthy of a mention. (On that note, check out Repair the World’s interview with staff member, Elana Silber.) But Sharsheret’s work around education, and empowering people to spread the word that breast cancer is an issue touches virtually everyone’s life, is truly amazing.
We particularly admire how they’ve rallied teens and college students in awareness raising. Here are just some of the ways:
Dr. Seuss, the beloved children’s book author and poet, would have turned 108 today. But his works, from Green Eggs and Ham and The Cat in The Hat to One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, are timeless classics.
This year, the National Endowment for the Arts is celebrating Read Across America Day – their annual day dedicated to spreading awareness and appreciation about the pleasures of reading – with a tribute to Dr. Seuss’ book, The Lorax which, we’re excited to say, just also happens to be coming out as a movie today! (Check out the trailer here.) Pretty Seuss-sational, right?
The mission for Read Across America Day is simple – help inspire the love of reading in others, especially young children. You can do that in many different ways: by running a book drive or creating and hosting a reading event at your school, to taking the lifelong reading oath, or simply by reading to a child.
Find out more about how you can get involved with Read Across America Day here, then check out the video below, which features the stars of The Lorax Movie:
Let us know how you’re celebrating Read Across America Day by tweeting us at @RepairtheWorld!
Have you ever participated in a service-learning program at school? If so, you know that the model of combining traditional classroom learning with a related, real-world volunteer opportunity, is an incredibly engaging (and fun!) way to maximize any educational experience.
It also probably left you wanting more. That’s where the National Service-Learning Clearninghouse comes in. A project of the Corporation for National & Community Service, the clearinghouse is like a one-stop shopping portal to the world of service-learning opportunities.
Teachers get access to ideas and resources to help connect their classroom content with student-led service initiatives. And students from kindergarten through college can check out YouthSITE! to connect with one another, share ideas about how to make a real impact, and get all kinds of inspiration for future projects. Students aged 13-25 can also participate in the Youth Speakers Bureau, which gives young service leaders an opportunity to articulate what they have learned about themselves, school subjects, and life through service-learning.
Whether you’re a service-learning pro or a complete newbie, the clearninghouse has resources to enrich your educational life, and help you make a difference in your community. Find out more about the National Service-Learning Clearninghouse, and the amazing things service-learning can bring to your school at the video below:
How have you engaged in service-learning this year? Let us know by tweeting @repairtheworld.
Tomorrow is February 29th – a highly unusual day that, thanks to a glitch in the calendar, occurs just once every four years during a leap year. There’s something kind of magical about having an extra day tacked onto the calendar’s shortest month – it’s like gaining an hour during daylight savings…but 23 hours better.
Feb 29th offers one extra day to cross things off your to-do list, and a bit more time to avoid the realization that the year is (eep!), nearly a quarter over. Leap Day also offers an extra opportunity to do service! This February 29th, resolve to make your extra day count. Celebrate the uncommon day with uncommon service by trying something you have never done before. Our very own, Ben Falik, Manager of Detroit Service Initiatives, shares the same idea here in his Detroit Free Press article out today!
Need some ideas? Check out one of the service databases below to find the right fit for you.
iParticipate – participate in star-powered service opportunities.
Volunteer Match – find exciting national volunteer opportunities in all fields.
Idealist – find more than 13,000 volunteer opportunities available worldwide.
Do Something’s action map – locate a volunteer event near you, or sign up to have regular service suggestions texted to your cell.
Create the Good – browse service opportunities that fit your life, whether you have 5 minutes, 5 hours, or 5 days.
How are you planning to leap into service on Feb 29? Let us know by tweeting @repairtheworld.
Repair the World works to inspire American Jews and their communities to give their time and effort to serve those in need. We aim to make service a defining part of American Jewish life.
