Random Act of Kid-ness: Mitzvah Chefs

This week’s Random Act of Kid-ness comes to us from the Bay Area, where first through eighth graders at Peninsula Temple Sholom prepare and deliver meals to local residents in need. This program, called Mitzvah Chefs, is based on the ideas of mitzvah, meaning charity or good deed, and tikkun olam, or helping/repairing the world.

The temple’s Youth Director Yael Zaken says,

“It’s really important to start within your own community. And [we teach them] for it to be not only the people of your religion or ethnicity or race. We make sure we have a discussion about the best ways to make the world a better place.”

That sounds familiar, doesn’t it? At the Zimmer, every single one of our exhibits focuses on learning human values such as respect for others, helping those in need , generosity, and making the world a better place. We are focused on the BIG IDEAS of global citizenship, community responsibility, and cultural sensitivity.

Click here to read more about Mitzvah Chefs.

What can you do to make the world a better place? Why not start by playing your way to a better world at the Zimmer?

Random Act of Kid-ness: Love in the Mirror

This week’s Random Act of Kid-ness comes to us from Long Beach, CA, where 7 year old Jonas founded Love in the Mirror. Love in the Mirror is a charitable organization that “strives to inspire young people to make a difference through their volunteer commitment of providing needy and homeless youth basic necessities such as food, clothing and learning materials.” Jonas founded the organization in 2009 to help kids in need by collecting items that he felt they should not live without.

Jonas says:

I want to help kids because they don’t have food, clothes, toys and some don’t go to school. I want to help them out so they can feel happy for themselves and thankful for people like me. It makes me feel happy that I am helping and that is why I wanted to start Love in the Mirror. 

I chose the name because it reminds me of a song and the song makes me think of people who don’t have toys and clothes and because every kid should look in the mirror and love themselves.

Check out the events that Jonas and Love in the Mirror have planned, and let us know if you’ve been inspired like we have!

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“Once you begin to acknowledge random acts of kindness – both the ones you have received and the ones you have given – you can no longer believe that what you do does not matter.” -Dawna Markova 

Random Act of Kid-ness: Military Kid of the Year

This past weekend was Veteran’s Day, and in honor of that, this week’s Random Act of Kid-ness is Our Military Kids‘ “2011 Military Kid of the Year.” 11 year old Tristan Fissette from Illinois was given this award in honor of the time he spends volunteering at a local food pantry feeding the hungry. He also volunteers by helping new students at his school.

“These grants help our military kids understand that America really appreciates the service and sacrifices made by our military families,” retired General Peter Pace said at the awards ceremony.

To read more about Tristan and his grant, click here.

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“Once you begin to acknowledge random acts of kindness – both the ones you have received and the ones you have given – you can no longer believe that what you do does not matter.” -Dawna Markova