7th and 8th graders doing chessed at White Shul

Every Thursday night, chessed activities are in full swing at the Community Service Initiative of Far Rockaway (CSI), an after-school program for 7th and 8th grade girls at the White Shul.

CSI is a weekly after-school program for 7th and 8th grade girls, run by Sari Babad and Ilanna Schuster. It has been almost two months since the start of the program, and already the girls have accomplished so much! In the past few weeks alone, they have done many things to help out in the community—and have had a blast at the same time! These amazing “Chessed Special Agents” volunteered to help JEP-LI with a Shabbaton mailing, and even got paired up with a camper from Camp Nageela West as a pen-pal! CSI also had its first workshop, designed to give the girls an opportunity to explore the values and importance of different aspects of Chessed. The girls discussed the meaning of Hakaras Hatov, and decorated thank-you cards to send to the people who have impacted their lives. Although the girls are working hard to help others, they also manage to squeeze in some time to have fun themselves. Whether it’s sushi, pizza, or ice cream sandwiches, there’s always something great to eat, and the feelings of achdus and friendship are growing stronger every week. The girls also got a chance to use their creativity in a special cake-decorating class given by Adina Slepoy. Special thanks to Adina, the Slepoy family, and Breezey’s, for sponsoring this exciting activity! In the spirit of our Hakaras Hatov focus, we also must thank every CSI girl for spending her free time every week to help others. Tizku L’mitzvos!

To sponsor a week of wholesome fun and chessed and to contribute to our goal of ‘growing by giving’, please contact Shira Leff at 347-729-3879 or at csichessed@gmail.com.