Syracuse, NY -- About 90 members of the Jewish community volunteered this morning to give back to the Syracuse community for the fifth annual “Live Generously Mitzvah Day.” “Mitzvah Day is really great opportunity to take the values that the sages have taught us and bring it into the real world,” said Rich Friedman, executive vice president of the...
Syracuse Jewish Federation volunteers Paul Berman and Jacob Saletsky, 13, both from DeWitt, carefully measure the ingredients of a pancake mix at the Ronald McDonald House. Ronald McDonald House of CNY, 1027 East Genesee St., is a safe, comfortable place where families whose children are hospitalized can stay. Volunteers prepared a brunch for guest families and helped with housekeeping chores.
Syracuse, NY -- About 90 members of the Jewish community volunteered this morning to give back to the Syracuse community for the fifth annual “Live Generously Mitzvah Day.”
“Mitzvah Day is really great opportunity to take the values that the sages have taught us and bring it into the real world,” said Rich Friedman, executive vice president of the Syracuse Jewish Federation. “One thing we are taught is not to separate ourselves from the community.”
Mitzvah Day, which is celebrated on different days in Jewish communities across the country, is a day of service and volunteering. The word Mitzvah is a Hebrew word loosely defined as a “good deed,” Friedman said.
Volunteers worked on 14 service projects at nine sites, which were organized by the Syracuse Jewish Federation.
Sabrina Victor, 30, of Syracuse, led a group of volunteers who made brunch for residents at the Ronald McDonald House of CNY. The Ronald McDonald House is a temporary residence for families whose children are hospitalized.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for the entire Jewish community to get involved," Victor said. “And it gives us the ability to give back to the Syracuse community.”
Volunteers also worked at the VA Medical Center, Menorah Park, Temple Concord Food Pantry, Rescue Mission, Samaritan Center, Salvation Army Booth House, InterFaith Works of CNY Center for New Americans and the Chabad House.
Mitzvah Day is more than just one day of service, Friedman said. Students in the Syracuse Hebrew Day School, the Rabbi Epstein School of Jewish Studies and the Jewish Community Center Boy Scout Troop participated in service projects throughout the month of May.
“It’s really Mitzvah month” Friedman said. “In all, I would say, there are more than 300 students and adults volunteering for Mitzvah Day projects.”
Laurin Goldberg, of Syracuse, celebrated her 14th birthday this morning volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House.
“I like to volunteer and I like to make pancakes,” Goldberg said as she mixed batter for chocolate chip pancakes.
This is the second year Goldberg has volunteered on Mitzvah Day.
“It feels really great to be able to help and do good things for others.”
Sarah Moses can be reached at smoses@syracuse.com or 470-2298.