at Milwaukee Jewish Day School
To me, an important part about being Jewish means living generously and helping people in need. I think it’s important to help our fellow Jews and our fellow human beings. There is no limit to what we can do to improve the world and our own community, as long as we care and put our talents to their best use.
We should feel sympathetic towards people suffering pain and hardship. That means we cannot ignore the genocide in Darfur or forget about the victims of Hurricane Katrina. We should do all we can to help the victims of the bombings in Israel, but we need to remember that Lebanese children lost their homes too. I was very sad this summer when I saw pictures of Israelis who were affected by the bombings, but I was also saddened to see so many Lebanese families who no longer had homes, or who had lost so many loved ones.
Living generously isn’t just about donating money. Offering a kind word, lending a helping hand to a neighbor, or performing a good deed goes a long way. Even though we all have busy lives, it’s important to set aside our time and share with others who aren’t as fortunate. Kids can help by donating old or grown out clothes, and giving unwanted or used books and toys to people who cannot afford these items.
Parents can do their part by volunteering in the community, and teaching their children to care about the world and perform mitzvot. My generation can do so much to improve the world, but only if we learn from the example our own parents and grandparents set. Everyone must become aware of what goes on in the world, and work together to make this world a better place.
Living generously is very rewarding. Giving tzedakah shouldn’t be about you, it should be about the cause and the act of kindness. I have come to appreciate that it feels just as good, maybe even better, to give as it does to receive.
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