Community Service
A Good Start to Giving Back
Tikkun olam (repairing the world) is an age-old Jewish value that teaches responsibility for the world around us. Our students learn this principle and live it during their years at PJA by participating in such activities as:
- Planting native trees in a local park
- Reclaiming a nearby wetland from neglect and litter
- Becoming more green and energy efficient as a school and community
- Packaging foods to feed indigent Oregonians
- Raising funds for destitute Jews in the Former Soviet Union
- Sending care packages to Israeli soldiers
Helping
Hands for Haitian Honeys
Since the Haitian
earthquake, PJA students have put their hearts and hands to excellent use! With the support and guidance of 2nd
grade teacher, Beth Cook, and 6th
grade Humanities teacher and SAC advisor, Barbara
Steinberg, students have d esigned and organized a drive. We all believe that children helping children
is meaningful, which is why we have “adopted” an orphanage in Port-au-Prince.
How Can You Help?
- The orphanage needs baby wipes, Infant/Children’s Tylenol,
toothpaste, and bars of soap (there are other items they have requested as well, and
if you would like a complete list, please contact Beth
Cook or Barbara Steinberg).
- Help us build a pyramid! Items will be stacked in the lobby…add
yours on the way into school!
- Got spare change? Deposit your monetary contributions into
one of the jars placed in classrooms throughout PJA. The money will be counted and tracked by
the 2nd graders.
- Want to help with community
involvement? Email Barbara Steinberg and/or Beth
Cook.
Mesi! (“thank you” in Creole)
On October 18, 2009, the PJA community participated in Hand-to-Hand, a community wide resources fair. The PJA 8th graders participated as part of their Capstone project learning.
Check out our students in action!
Many thanks to those of you from the PJA community who came to participate in this special community wide event. See you next year!
Recently, students at Portland Jewish Academy collected a donation of 654 pounds of food to help fight hunger in our community through the Oregon Food Bank, a collective, community-minded task that made us feel PJA PROUD.
And our 8th Grade students collected art supplies and stuffed animals to give to the children at the Sheba Medical Center, helping to put some much needed smiles on faces.
