Building Community through Shorashim

by Sarah Lipinsky

The Torah teaches us that caring for animals is very important in Judaism. In fact, we are commanded to feed our pets before we feed ourselves. Our youth group, Shorashim, took part in a mitzvah project for Operation Kindness. Operation Kindness cares for homeless cats and dogs in a no-kill environment until 

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​each can be adopted into responsible homes. They also advocate for humane values and behavior.
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At the beginning of the Shorashim program, we expected as usual, that the parents would drop off their kids, but the parents stayed. They even joined in! Altogether the group made blanket beds for the shelter animals, delivered the beds, and toured their facility. The event concluded with Shorashim participants reading books to the dogs as a way to provide individual attention to them.
Everyone loved working together to make the blanket beds, but the highlight of the day was reading books to the dogs at Operation Kindness. How amazing is it that reinforcing reading skills is also wanted and needed when it comes to bonding with animals?!

Our Shorashim youth group is for students in grades 3rd-6thand was created to bring religious school and day school students together for fun and engaging programs. This year, Shorashim is becoming much more. Not only have our youth group numbers increased, but parents more and more often enjoy participating in our events with their children. It is a beautiful sight to watch new relationships form between our youth and new friendships among the parents.
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If you have a child in grades 3 – 6 contact Sarah Lipinsky, Director of Education, to learn more on how to get involved in Shorashim. Additionally, if you want to know about all the great things happening at Shearith Israel’s Weitzman Family Religious School, check out their amazing newsletter!

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