Peer Tutoring Program Helps Struggling Elementary School Students

By Isabel-Duarte Gray, Program Assistant, Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC)

Every Tuesday morning, 33 Gideon Hausner 8^th graders pile into parent carpools and ride to Theuerkauf Elementary School in Mountain View, where they spend the morning building the literacy skills of K-3^rd grade students. In their assigned classrooms, the teen tutors work one-on-one with the younger students, wander the classroom providing help as needed, or sometimes lead groups to enhance their tutees’ reading skills through cooperative exercises. “As I read with them, I try to use techniques that I remember from when I was younger that helped me learn to read,” says Lucy, an 8^th grader taking part in the peer-tutoring program. “For me, what is most important is that I want them to know that I love reading too, and that I am helping with it not because I was sent to, but because I want them to develop the same love of reading that I have.”

Peer Tutors at Palo Alto’s Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School strengthen the reading skills of younger students at Mountain View’s Theuerkauf Elementary School.

Tzedakah. Tikkun Olam. Gemilut Chasadim.

Seven years ago, coordinator Ora Gittelson-David was tasked with constructing a program to teach these crucial Jewish values to 7^th and 8^th graders at Gideon Hausner Jewish Day School as part of the Avodah La’Olam - Work for the World Program. “As a former social worker, I was searching for a meaningful volunteer program that would enable our students to develop a significant ongoing relationship,” Ora explained. Then a parent told her about a tutoring program in which she and her son had participated over the summer with the Jewish Coalition for Literacy, which brought them face-to-face with students in underserved schools to share the joy of reading. JCL’s peer tutoring work perfectly fit the bill and Ora knew she had found her model: “The connection with JCL was made, and the rest is history.”

Each week, after they return to Gideon Hausner, the peer tutors discuss their classroom experience and often distill those thoughts into written assignments. “I am deeply touched by my students’ ability to reflect upon what they have seen going on in a classroom in which they are tutoring, being open to learn about issues based on what they have seen, and reflecting upon their own contribution to a young child’s learning,” says Ora. The value of peer tutoring lies not only in the individual service it provides to struggling elementary school students, but also in the lesson it reinforces in its tutors about the value of community service.

“The fact that our school is able to set aside time during our school day on a regular basis for our students to give of themselves to others speaks volumes to our students in terms of understanding the value of Tikkun Olam and the piece of our mission that speaks to community responsibility.”

When students, parents, and teachers work together to better the world, everyone benefits.

The Jewish Coalition for Literacy’s partnership with Gideon Hausner Day School is one of six programs JCL has guided and trained throughout the Bay Area since 2008.  While the Jewish Community High School of the Bay sends high school tutors into San Francisco public schools twice a week in collaboration with The Village Project, Oakland Hebrew Day School’s 8th graders tutor at Greenleaf Elementary School in Oakland, and Contra Costa Jewish Day School 5th graders serve as “Big Buddies” to students at Fair Oaks Elementary School in Pleasant Hill. All have received crucial training from the Jewish Coalition for Literacy.  JCL’s programs have earned rave responses from students, teachers, and parents alike.  This spring, JCL received a grant from the South Bay Jewish Teen Philanthropy Board to facilitate this extraordinary work, in addition to funding from an anonymous donor in the East Bay.

JCL’s Literacy Trainer, Barbara Pearl, prepares 5th grade Peer Tutors at Contra Costa Jewish Day School for their work in the classroom.

Back at Gideon Hausner, the Avodah La’Olam Theuerkauf Mentoring Program is rooted in two basic Jewish values: the love of learning and the mitzvah to better the world through acts of loving kindness.  Some of the most powerful feedback Ora Gittelson-David has received from her program is praise from parents of Gideon Hausner students, who are grateful for the lessons their students have learned about the diversity of their community and the fundamental importance of literacy. “Our students gain an understanding of the fact that there is a large community out there, one that is in very close geographic proximity, that can benefit from the skills they have learned and from their willingness to give to others,” Ora explains.

But Ora doesn’t need to explain – her students can beautifully articulate the value of this program for themselves. As Moriah, another Gideon Hausner Peer Tutor, puts it: “Education is an important Jewish value, and I know that I am not only educating them now, but I am also giving them the opportunity to continue their education further in their lives, because they have been given the skills to strengthen their reading.”

Become a JCL tutor: Register for a free tutor training workshop at www.jclread.org.

The Jewish Coalition for Literacy is funded in part by a $95,000 JCF annual grant and is a joint project of Jewish Community Relations Council and the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund.

A Journey of Tikkun Olam

By Lynn Sedway, 2013 Judith Chapman Memorial Award recipient

Tikkun olam, Hebrew for “repairing the world,” has been a guiding precept for me.  It has taken many forms in both my work as a volunteer and as a professional, each enriching my life greatly.

In retrospect, my journey of tikkun olam did not involve a conscious plan.  I liken it to the Hebrew saying describing our people at Mt. Sinai as we accepted the Torah – na’aseh v’nishma, meaning “we will do, and [then] we will understand”.  So it was almost instinctive for me that I took on various activities and only later appreciated and understood their importance, as well as my own motivation that impelled my own program of tikkun olam.

Like so many others, the trajectory of my journey has come from just saying yes to one cause, and then another.

Throughout my career, I have been pleased to give guidance and create connections for young women and men who have sought my advice in selecting an educational, volunteer, or career path.    In recent years, I have been able to extend my mentorship in greater depth within the Jewish community.  I strongly believe that the act of guiding others is critically important in order to pass the torch to our next generation, l’dor v’dor, and  I value the resulting friendships I have made with my mentees.

There have been multitudes of “yes’s” that have been change agents in my life.

Participating on a New Israel Fund-sponsored trip to Israel with Rabbi Larry Raphael and seeing Israel through the eyes of my own Rabbi was very meaningful and life changing! I realized how much Judaism meant to me, and at the same time how ignorant I had been about my religion and its history.

Upon my return from Israel, I enrolled in adult learning classes at Sherith Israel and decided to become an adult bat mitzvah, as well as go through an adult confirmation.  I also became more active at the synagogue where I feel one grows as Jews, both young and old.  One key ” yes” for me, was the decision to serve on Congregation Sherith Israel’s Strategic Plan Committee and its Social Action subcommittee , which resulted in a deeper connection to Judaism. I joined the Synagogue’s Board of Trustees and served as president.  During my tenure, we successfully completed the first phase of the capital campaign to meet the city’s seismic requirements. Today, I remain active and dedicated to Sherith Israel.

My ancestors came from very different backgrounds but nonetheless were dedicated to important causes.

My maternal Jewish ancestors arrived in the New World in 1760, when the family patriarch became keeper of the Port of Charleston during the Revolutionary War.  I researched members of my family and  learned that he was a founder and the first rabbi of Kahal Kadosh Beth Elohim, a reform congregation in Charleston, SC.  My paternal grandparents arrived at Ellis Island in the early 1900s, and my grandfather served as vice-president of the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HAIS). I know that he worked incredibly hard and effectively to bring innumerable Jews from Eastern Europe to this country.

I am proud to be part of this community.

I also credit my family for many of my achievements. My husband, Paul, is very committed to tikkun olam in his, and our lives, and I am proud to note a commitment to improving the lives of others in the careers and lives of our grown children, Mark, Carolyn, and Jan.

Lynn Sedway will receive the Judith Chapman Memorial Women’s Leadership Award at the Power of One on Wednesday, May 1, 2013.

Jewish Coalition for Literacy Enriches Lives and Builds Relationships

By Isabel Duarte-Gray, Program Assistant at the Jewish Community Relations Council

The night before Jerilyn Gelt learned about the Jewish Coalition for Literacy, she enjoyed an unexpected phone conversation with the 10-year-old daughter of a family friend. “I asked her why she was up so late, and she said ‘I’m reading a book,’” explained Jerilyn. “I asked ‘Isn’t it fun when you find an author you really like?’ And she said, ‘Yes, and sometimes I like to be in the book!’”

The next day, Jerilyn attended services for Rosh Hashanah, where her Rabbi addressed the role of Jews as the “People of the Book” and encouraged his congregation to consider volunteering at the Jewish Coalition for Literacy. Remembering the vitality and enthusiasm of the child she’d spoken to the night before, Jerilyn quickly signed up to volunteer with JCL as a tutor.

Jerilyn and her former JCL tutee, Jamila Grizzard, at Jamila’s high school graduation in May.

Jerilyn is one of hundreds of Jewish Coalition for Literacy volunteers who are trained and placed with K-3 students in underserved Bay Area public schools and after-school programs. The program offers an hour of individual literacy training per week to over 1,000 local public school students, distributes thousands of new and gently used children’s books to its partner schools and students, and hosts multilingual training workshops to help parents of JCL students bring the love of reading home. JCL is a wonderful opportunity for Jewish community members to practice Tikkun Olam and help support under-resourced California public school systems in their own neighborhoods.

When Jerilyn joined JCL twelve years ago, she was searching for something “more meaningful” from her community outreach work. These days, Jerilyn has her hands full, serving as President of the  Jewish Community Relations Council,  but she still makes time for tutoring through the Jewish Coalition for Literacy. “It’s invaluable,” she explained.

“I’d guess that most of the children tutored by JCL volunteers rarely if ever  get to spend an hour a day or even a half hour a day with an adult who focuses just on them.”

Jewish Coalition for Literacy tutors have produced remarkable results. Teachers report that JCL students increase an average of three reading levels per school year. Moreover, 95% of JCL pupils show improvement in reading comprehension, 97% become more motivated to read in class, and 95% demonstrate more confidence in their ability to read aloud. With more than half of California children in the 4^th grade reading below grade level, the Jewish Coalition for Literacy provides much-needed support to children during a crucial period in their development. Jerilyn can attest to the lasting impact of JCL’s program first-hand, as she recently attended the high school graduation of one of her former JCL students.

Jerilyn began tutoring Jamila Grizzard through JCL when Jamila had just begun the fourth grade at the Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy, a public elementary school in San Francisco’s Castro district.  Although Jamila struggled with reading disabilities, she and Jerilyn persevered and she showed steady improvement. At the end of the school year, Jamila and her mother asked Jerilyn to continue tutoring her, which she did through Middle School and even occasionally in high school . For the next eight years, the two met in libraries, at the Boys and Girls club, and even on weekends to study and enjoy cultural events. One week they’d work on a presentation for social studies, the next they would explore the San Francisco Arboretum. This spring, Jerilyn looked on proudly as Jamila accepted her high school diploma and was accepted to San Francisco City College. She will be the first member of her family to attend college when she begins this fall.

The Jewish Coalition for Literacy provides more than reading resources and support to underserved communities—it enriches the lives of all its participants, tutors and students alike. “The [JCL] experience is really beyond giving money,” Jerilyn emphasized. “It’s giving of your time, and I think that the more time you give with these little kids, the more you see it matters.”

Become a JCL tutor
Register for one of the upcoming free tutor training workshops at www.jclread.org.

The Jewish Coalition for Literacy is funded in part by a $95,000 JCF annual grant and is a joint project of Jewish Community Relations Council and the Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund.

Lynn Bunim: Leadership By Example

Lynn Bunim

For the past 40 years, Lynn Bunim, the 2012 Judith Chapman Memorial Women’s Leadership Award winner, has demonstrated the passion, sacrifice, sincerity, and individuality that go into being a leader. To those that know her well, she is an inspirational leader, one that does not allow bureaucracy to get in her way. Lynn continues to push us to go beyond the status quo. Through her own drive, persistence, and devotion, Lynn makes positive changes to both the Bay Area Jewish community and to the San Francisco community as a whole.

Lynn’s empowering spirit has affected numerous individuals. Below are personal statements from just a handful of those that have worked with Lynn and been touched, guided, and inspired by Lynn’s persistence and grace.

Kathy Williams, Lay Leader, Chair of Judith Chapman Memorial Women’s Leadership Award Committee:

“There are women who touch your life and you know they will have a lifelong impact on you and your community. Lynn Bunim is one of them. As Chair of the Judith Chapman Leadership Award Committee, I had the privilege of calling Lynn Bunim to tell her she was selected as the recipient of the 2012 Chapman award. Lynn’s initial response was the silence that often comes with the surprise of winning a prestigious award followed by a humble thank you — though it is our community that should be thanking Lynn for her leadership. She embodies the heart and soul this award represents. She has dedicated thousands of hours as a leader and volunteer to organizations including Jewish Vocational Services and Federation ensuring critical lifelines are available to those in need, in our Jewish and secular communities, ranging from basic work skills that help individuals return to work or ensuring seniors have transportation preventing them from being homebound. Always with an eye on the future, Lynn manages to find time in her busy schedule to mentor some of our younger leaders. Regardless of age, Lynn has served as a role model to all of us and shown us through her actions how to be a strong, articulate and committed leader. Yasher Koach, Lynn.”

Laura Mason, Senior Program officer at Jewish Community Federation and Endowment Fund:

“I believe Lynn is one of the rare leaders in the community who is able to both see the big picture from 40,000 feet, and ready and willing to delve into the work of implementation and ultimately translating vision into impact. To our work she brings a deeply respectful and collaborative approach that enhances any communal process. Not one to shy away from a challenge or to lose momentum amidst competing interests, Lynn remains grounded and wise in complex situations. All of these traits make Lynn the quintessential leader, whether it is in a board room or otherwise in her day-to-day life. On a personal level, Lynn has always been a role model of mine, as I am continually impressed by her grace under pressure and ability to make the balancing act of professional, volunteer and family responsibilities seem effortless.”

Debbie Toizer, Lay Leader, Women in Leadership Mentee:

“When I was accepted into Women In Leadership, a leadership mentoring program of the Jewish Community Federation a few years ago, I was excited to have the opportunity to work with a mentor. Then I received the news that Lynn Bunim was to be my mentor and I looked her up online. Have you seen this woman’s resume? Executive Director for External Affairs for AT&T; Chair of the Mayor’s Fiscal Advisory Committee under both Gavin Newsom and Willie Brown, Founding Trustee and board member of the San Francisco Day School; and the list goes on. Lynn was recognized by the League of Women Voters as a “Woman Who Could be President.” President! To be honest, it was a little intimidating.

Shortly after that, Lynn and I met in person. She asked me about my goals and what she could do to help me achieve them. That’s how it went with Lynn and me. She would check in from time to time, forwarding my resume and putting me in touch with people for future involvement. Lynn may be a business executive, sought after by government officials and business leaders for her expertise, but she made time to share that expertise with me too. Congratulations, Lynn, on a much deserved award.”

Susan Mall, Lay Leader and former JCF Staff:

“In the early days of the Jewish Vocational Service (JVS) lunch ‘Strictly Business,’ I called Lynn because we needed help with corporate sponsors. I thought Lynn would be a perfect person because of Lynn’s incredible reputation and experience in the business world. Lynn was a bit reluctant at first to serve on the JVS committee, but very thoughtful— asking lots of questions before she got involved because Lynn does not like to do anything half-way. Agreeing to serve on this one committee led to being on many other committees at JVS, heading up the committees, then taking a board position, and then becoming the head of the whole organization! Lynn then became a member of the Board of the Federation and then worked her way up the JCF organization the same way she committed herself and worked her way up JVS. She asked a lot of questions and dedicated herself to learning and loving the organization, Along the way she helped to create new areas of involvement for young people, business people and those who wanted to enter the portals of Jewish community life.

The best thing about Lynn is that even though she has had a long and strong history of community service, she came to her Jewish communal work a little later in her life; and through the doors of JVS, she worked her way into the Jewish organizational world to become one of the top decision makers at JCF. She is the “poster person” for Jewish community involvement and passion. I am so happy I made that phone call! Congratulations Lynn!”

The Jewish Community and Endowment Fund would like to thank Lynn Bunim for her work in the community and for continuing to motivate so many of us to increase our volunteerism and further develop our leadership skills.

JOIN LYNN AT THE POWER OF ONE AWARD CEREMONY Lynn will receive the Judith Chapman Memorial Women’s Leadership Award at our annual Power of One event, taking place February 16 at the San Francisco Hilton. Learn more and register for this celebration of Jewish women who inspire us to make a difference in the world.

Notes on Parental Sacrifices

By Hillel Zand, South Peninsula Jewish Teen Foundation Board Member
This post originally appeared on Hillel’s blog, American Jewish Teen.

As a board member of the South Peninsula Jewish Teen Foundation, I am currently at the halfway point in a yearlong process to make a difference. Sounds tough, right? The SPJTF creates a mission statement at the beginning of the year, researches nonprofits that match the mission statement, fundraise, and finally allocate money to deserving organizations at the end of the year. This past Sunday, we took a little field trip to one of Shelter Network’s locations, First Step for Families, which assists homeless families on getting back on their feet by providing a safe shelter for parents and their children, as well as vocational services and therapy.

It wasn’t my first time volunteering for Shelter Network, but this time was, by far, the most moving. After we had served dinner to residents and played with some of the kids, a couple of families came and shared their stories with our board, but one family’s story stuck with me the most.

South Peninsula Jewish Teen Foundation Board Members pictured from left to right: Jaime Korman, Hillel Zand, Daniel Kahan, and Aliza Cohen

A middle-aged single mom with three kids who had gone through a rough divorce with a drug-addicted husband and was forced to choose between medical attention for her slipped disk or shelter for herself and her kids. When one of our board members asked what she would change or improve about the shelter, she replied with the humblest thing one could say. She said, “Absolutely nothing. Shelter Network has changed my life so much for the better and I couldn’t ask for anything more from the staff that go out of their way to help me and my kids.” I was shocked when I heard that, because honestly, I was expecting complaints about the food or maybe the fact that she had to share a floor with 11 other families, but no. The fact that she was totally content with her life at that moment was something that I tremendously applaud. It donned on me during that moment that what she did for her kids was maybe not the easiest choice, but it ended up being the right choice. Her 12-year-old daughter nearly brought me to tears as she herself was sobbing while expressing gratitude for everything that the shelter had provided for her. Battling her tears, she said, “I’ve been through a lot in my life, and the therapy that they’ve provided me here has helped… so much.” And she, too, reinforced what her mother said: going to Shelter Network was maybe a harder choice than her family choice being split up by staying with relatives, but it was ultimately the best thing that ever happened to them, as it kept them together as one family.

“I’m trying to show appreciation towards my parents more than I have before for the sacrifices they make each and every day for me and my brothers.”

Those 4 hours at Shelter Network, especially those 20 minutes talking with Shelter Network families, really opened my eyes to the sacrifices parents make every single day. Everything parents do, I learned, is done with their children in mind, and that is something I could not respect enough. That night, I returned home thinking, “Sorry Imma (Mom), sorry Abba (Dad) for doubting what you say and do, but you know what, you were probably right.” It’s tough at my age to realize that and admit defeat to those that brought you into this world, but now, I’m trying to show appreciation towards my parents more than I have before for the sacrifices they make each and every day for me and my brothers.

LEARN MORE: See how Jewish Teen Foundation board members are learning about philanthropy, social action, and helping change the world.

Teen volunteers are fighting poverty

Picture only rubble where your house once stood, before it was wrecked by an earthquake. Imagine showing up to the first day of school, excited about one of your new classes but unable to take notes because your family couldn’t afford school supplies. POVERTY has a devastating impact, and teens are on the forefront of working to secure a sustainable future for peers in their own communities and around the world.

If you know any exceptional Jewish teen volunteers in California who are working to solve social problems like poverty, nominate them to win $36,000 that will change their lives and help them expand their work.

2011 Recipient Daniel Sobajian distributing school supplies

Daniel Sobajian (pictured above) won a 2011 Tikkun Olam Award for his school supply project. Upon transferring to public school, Daniel learned that a shocking number of his classmates lived below the poverty line and were unable to afford essential school supplies. He was moved to support his peers and ensure a good education was within their reach. Daniel has held over 20 supply drives all over Los Angeles and delivered the materials to over 1,000 students.

Ensuring equal opportunities for their peers is important to teens, and almost one in five of the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Award nominees last year worked on projects combating poverty. Other outstanding teens recognized with a nomination last year organized projects such as raising money to support Haitian school children with supplies after the devastating 2010 earthquake, developing youth chapters of established organizations to engage other teens in fighting poverty, and raising funds to enable regular donations to a local food pantry.

Nominations are now open for the 2012 Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards. We are calling on you to help us celebrate the power of teens to change the world. Nominations may be submitted through January 6, 2012.

AWARD ELIGIBILITY: The award is open to Jewish teens who are residents of California and are ages 13-19 at the time of nomination. Teens’ projects can help either the Jewish community or the general community, so long as they have not been remunerated for their services. Teens may be nominated by any community member who knows the value of their project—EXCEPT family members—or may also nominate themselves. For more information visit our website or contact the Project Coordinator for the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards, Rachel Bloom, at (415) 512-6437 or dillerteenaward@sfjcf.org.

Walking together to fight AIDS

By Lisa Finkelstein, Director of the LGBT Alliance

This summer marks thirty years of the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. According to the SF Chronicle, more than 28,840 San Franciscans have been diagnosed with AIDS, while more than 19,000 have died.

Although our local community is strong and learning how to thrive and live within this epidemic we still need to walk to raise awareness, walk to celebrate those who live with the disease, walk to remember those whom we have lost, and walk to find a cure.

We helped organize a local  Jewish Community AIDS Walk Team this summer to create an additional avenue to participate Jewishly. We were one of the nearly 1,000 teams that helped raise over $3 million for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

Together our Jewish Community team was able to raise over $3,000.

Mazel Tov, to each of our walkers and donors for making an impact this year, as well as a special shout-out to our top Jewish Community team walker, Avidan! Avidan and his family raised over $1,000 as part of his Congregation Sha’ar Zahav Bar Mitzvah project!

Our collective donation will be dispersed by the San Francisco AIDS Foundation as grants to strengthen HIV prevention efforts as well as for advocacy, medical care, housing and social services programs for people living with or at risk for HIV/AIDS.

Thank you to those who were able to walk this year and spend a wonderful day in the sun for a good cause! We are committed to help organize our Jewish community to walk together again in 2012 so save the date to join us again.

In the meantime, take a look at more of our photos!

Olim b’Yachad: Rising up Together

Ethiopian-Israelis face enormous challenges as they grapple with the huge transition from living in a traditional, agrarian society to adapting to a modern, westernized society.  Recognizing the problem, Yifat Ovadya, a visionary young Tel Aviv attorney, took action and founded Olim b’Yachad, which means ‘Rising up Together’. 

Established in 2007 this program aims to increase integration of Ethiopian Israeli university graduates  into Israel’s business, academic, and public sectors by giving them an equal opportunity to gain respectable jobs that suit their academic education.

The intensive year-long program includes mentoring by Israel’s top business and professional leadership and provides opportunities for employment in Israel’s top firms and companies.  Graduates of the Federation-supported program are currently employed at 150 prestigious organizations in Israel’s economy and serve as role models for leadership in the next generation’s Ethiopian-Israeli community.

On her first visit to SF and the Federation this month, founder Ovadya  said she was “very grateful to realize the depth of warmth Israel has in the hearts of so many of the federation members, staff and volunteers.” 

Programs like Olim b’Yachad represent the essence of the JCF’s mission of tikkun olam, “repairing the world,” and we are proud to support many other programs striving to develop a just, democratic and pluralistic Jewish state.  Read more about our programs in Israel on our website.

Plant the Dream

Volunteers prep the ground.

On January 23rd, over seventy Jews honored Tu Bishvat by planting trees in San Francisco’s Holly and Crescent Parks.  The service project, organized by the Federation’s GET FED program, found Jews coming together to celebrate Tu Bishvat in a modern context, participating in tikkun olam by greening our community.   At the same PLANT THE DREAM event last year, Federation CEO Jennifer Gorovitz put her shovel in the dirt and said that the JCF needed to get their hands dirty (pun intended) in various Green ventures and organizations.  Since then, the JCF has begun funding Green-initiative driven Jewish organizations and has begun to look into what it would take to Green and solarize Jewish institutional buildings*.  Gorovitz was not the only one thinking of our future.  After her speech, a handful of leaders from different parts of the Green community gave their dreams for 2011 including:

• Zach Franklin (Grid Alternatives, Development Director):
  My dream for 2011 is that we can take the example of today’s work project [tree planting in Holly Park] and look for more ways to organize a “minyan for the environment” to work with family, friends and neighbors on projects that heal the planet while building community.

• Adam Werbach (Saatchi and Saatchi S, author of “Strategy for Sustainability”):
  It’s hard not to be depressed with all of the bad news about the earth going on. Scientists declared last week that the Tasmanian Devil of Australia is on the verge of extinction.  But last week my daughter Mila told me that she was joining the environmental club in her 2nd grade class.  My dream is that she does a better job than we have done.

The opening ceremony also included words by GET FED’s David Katznelson, and a drash by the Jewish Study Network’s Rabbi Shaye Guttenberg.

The JAZZ MAFIA entertains the volunteers.

Afterward, the volunteers spent the rest of the afternoon planting seventy-five trees in the two city parks and listening to a marching band comprised of JAZZ MAFIA all-stars, who paraded through the work fields playing their renditions of Jewish tunes.  Parents worked with children, teaching them about Jewish traditions, while newfound friends dug holes and ate from the prepared snack bags filled with Tu Bishvat-oriented consumables (nuts, dates, carob) lovingly put together by the Adler family.  Each bag contained the prayer:

As a way to celebrate the “New Year for the trees,” it is customary to eat the fruits grown in the land of Israel.  Like trees, we too, need strong roots and nourishment.  As you eat and plant today, feel free to reflect upon what keeps YOU centered, and then, as the old adage says, “Grow where you are planted.”

Children create Tu Bishvat inspired artwork.

The volunteers gather to learn the proper way to plant a tree.

The PLANT THE DREAM 2011 service project was led by the Jewish Community Federation’s GET FED program, and run in conjunction with San Francisco Recreation & Park Department. The event was made possible from a generous grant from the Sarlo Foundation.

Thank you to:  Bonnie Shrek of the Living Library, John Miller from the San Francisco Recreation & Park Department, The Jewish Studies Network, Reboot, the HUB, Hazon, Urban Adamah, Adam Berman, Adam Werbach, Or Shalom and Dan Brook, and Zach Franklin.

*In December, the GET FED program of the JCF solarized a lower-income house in San Francisco in honor of Hanukkah.

Teens fixing the world

Earlier this week, the 2009 winners of the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards were honored at a luncheon in San Francisco.  Each received $36,000 for their dedication to community service and their commitment to improving our world.  The following videos tell their stories.

Max Einhorn from La Jolla:

Eric Feldman from Palos Verdes Estates:

Aaron Feuer from Los Angeles:

Jacqueline Rotman from Santa Barbara:

Erin Schrode from Ross:

For more information on the Diller Teen Tikkun Olam Awards presented by the Helen Diller Family Foundation, a supporting foundation of the Jewish Community Endowment Fund, please visit:

http://www.sfjcf.org/diller/teenawards

Nominations for the 2010 Awards are due in February 2010.