In It Together medrash .
“ Many of our boys find themselves through volunteering at Seeach Sod . It helps our boys become wellrounded bnei Torah , moving from youth to adulthood in a sophisticated and mature way .”
Seth Maza of Highland Park , NJ , a shanah bet talmid and talented musician , is one such volunteer . “ The first time I went , I was a little afraid ,
unsure of what I ’ d see . But as soon as I walked in and saw their smiles , my fears just melted away .”
Moreover , seeing the efforts that
the Seeach Sod residents go to in developing their ability to perform mitzvos gives students a new vision of their own Yiddishkeit . “ Our boys come away with a renewed sense of appreciation for the things that they have been given in life ,” says Rabbi Issacson . “ It helps them to avoid taking things for granted . They also develop a sense of giving , concern for others , and of using their time , even their free time , in a productive way to give to others , thereby enhancing themselves ,” he reflects .
Special Relationships
BJJ , Ma ’ or , Bnos Sara , Sharfman ’ s , Tehillas , and BYA : these are just some of the seminaries whose students volunteer at Seeach Sod .
“ We offer different ways to interact with our students ,” says Rebbetzin Bergstein . “ Some schools choose to come for a one-off tour , where we show them what Seeach Sod is all about ,
but many choose to go all-in and have their students volunteering on a regular basis .”
When students take a tour of Seeach
Sod , they don ’ t just view the facility and hear about the organization ’ s history . Every tour group does some sort of activity with the Seeach Sod members . Sometimes it ’ s a craft project , such as painting menorahs before Chanukah at the Seeach Sod elementary school . Other times it could involve visiting the vocational program and helping adult members with their daily work . Nearly always , the session ends with singing and dancing as the members share their joy for life .
“ This is the 5th year that BJJ girls will be taking part in our weekly volunteering program ,” says Rebbetzin Bergstein . “ They ’ ve been helping the adult women in some of our residential
homes . They might make challah together , do an art project , or just hang out . Sometimes they ’ ll come on Shabbos and sing zemiros together . It ’ s amazing what special relationships are formed .”
Leah Friedman related that she was delighted to discover that individuals with disabilities have as much to give as they gain . “ What began as a volunteering stint developed into a true friendship ,” she said , describing her outings and phone conversations with a resident of one of Seeach Sod ’ s supported apartments .
“ I wanted to help in any way I could ”
The response from past volunteers and visitors has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic . “ Students love visiting ,” Rebbetzin Bergstein says . “ They are absolutely blown away by what they see here .” Not surprisingly , many seminaries and yeshivos return year after year to ensure that all their students benefit from the experience .
Some overseas students were so
moved by their encounter with Seeach Sod , they continued to reach out on their own . Tehilla Rachmani first visited Seeach Sod on an NCSY tour in 2018 . When she subsequently returned to Israel to attend Darchei Binah seminary , she made sure to visit Seeach Sod — this time , with a large group from her seminary in tow . “ Of all the places I visited on my NCSY tour , Seeach Sod was the one that really stuck out in my mind . It ’ s such an inspiring organization . I ’ ll always remember it . I felt that I just had to come back !”
24 Shvat 5782 | January 26 , 2022
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