Extending the Mitzvah: Community Service, Tzedakah, and Hesed Projects

Generations of students celebrating their b* mitzvah have gone beyond the bimah (pulpit). They have taken explored the treasury of Jewish values, and applied their energy and attention to a worthy need. Often called “mitzvah projects” in the synagogue setting, the appreciation for community service now permeates the lives of middle school students across the United States. Most communities require service hours for middle school and high school. This presents a perfect opportunity for a student to earn some of those hours, typically with a greater degree of intention and investment.

There are two essential ways to consider the approach; community service, or hesed. Community service can be simple as participating in planned opportunities. Having a discussion about what type of community service activities and the Jewish values that underscore them transforms, indeed elevates, the conversation. Students quickly begin to appreciate the empowerment, and the sense that their daily lives can be informed by a Jewish voice. No special change to their lives is needed, other than a willingness to explore where the Jewish intersections lay.

Many people are familiar with the term tzedakah, “right-ness”. This term is usually connected to the sacred philanthropy Judaism requires. This requirement differentiates tzedakah from the Christian concept of charity, which is by definition voluntary. The ancient Jewish sages long ago recognized that financial support was limited. Hesed in the Bible is understood as unwarranted commitment and devotion; usually it refers to the Eternal’s relationship with the Jewish people. The expression of this value is called gemilut hassadim, usually translated as “acts of loving-kindness.” Acts of loving-kindness, gemilut hassadim, are boundless.

Both approaches, tzedakah, and gemilut hassadim offer interesting opportunities for a student to appreciate the meaning of b* mitzvah.

A student might highlight a tzedakah opportunity that is personally important. This is a completely open conversation. Invited dear ones can be invited into the tzedakah opportunity in the invitation, it can be referenced in remarks, printed in a program; the mechanisms are limited only by imagination and will.

A gemilut hassadim project usually has a hands-on component. Examples might be collecting items for “blessings bags” for the unhoused or a “backpack pal” for students, collecting medical supplies for a mission or professional clothing for people needing it, working on a project that benefits animals or the natural world, collecting clothing for specific recipients; the list is open to your interest and abilities.

No matter the manner, the decision to extend the mitzvah should absolutely be celebrated during the course of the ceremony!