Chesed Week at SAR Academy

Teddy bears, pink bouquets, cozy cups, and chulent filled SAR Academy’s Chesed Week with opportunities to do good. Inspired by Avraham and Sarah’s kindness and hospitality in Parshat Vayera, students and parent volunteers gathered in SAR’s Chesed Tent (an actual tent in the school’s atrium!) for hands-on projects supporting people locally and in Israel.

The school’s youngest students created B’teyavon cards for Pantry Packers, decorated tzedakah boxes to collect donations for Riverdale Hatzalah, and made Chanukah cards for IDF soldiers through Smiles for the Kids. Kindergarten students added some warmth to the season with Chanukah Cozy Cups filled with hot cocoa, oatmeal, and candies for Bronx seniors through the Riverdale Y.

Shabbat preparations took on extra meaning as first graders packed Shabbat Bags for the KCI Kosher Food Pantry and fourth graders assembled packages for Chesed 24/7’s hospital Chesed Rooms. Eighth graders prepared chulent bags for Tomchei Shabbos of Queens, with more than 50 bags sold to raise funds and additional bags prepared for donation.

Third graders brought new teddy bears to life, stuffing them, decorating their T-shirts, and creating birth certificates through the Ellie Ruby Foundation for children battling pediatric cancer. Eighth graders packed gifts and wrote cards for children supported by Shiloh Israel Children’s Fund, sending encouragement to Israeli children affected by terrorism.

Socks, boots, and thoughtful notes also made their way into students’ projects. Second graders packed socks and treats for U.S. troops through the Major Stuart Adam Wolfer Institute. Fifth graders visited seniors at the Riverdale Hebrew Home and packed boots for IDF soldiers through Boots for Israel. Sixth graders paired fresh socks with thoughtful messages for people experiencing homelessness through Knock Knock, Give A Sock.

The week ended on a colorful note as seventh graders wrapped more than 180 pink flower bouquets purchased by families and faculty to benefit Sharsheret, supporting women and families facing breast and ovarian cancer. The flowers brought a little of Chesed Week’s warmth to Shabbat tables throughout the community.

Thanks to the help of sponsors, parent volunteers, and teachers keeping the projects moving, the tent buzzed with activity all week. Every packed bag, handwritten card, and carefully wrapped bouquet gave students a chance to make someone else’s day a little brighter.