The Impact of Good Deeds

The Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam, “repairing the world,” embodies the values and moral obligations all Jews have to heal and repair our world. These principles were recently exemplified when more than 200 volunteers from across the Las Vegas community participated in Good Deeds Day.  The program, held on Sunday, April 10th, was organized by members of the Jewish Federation’s Jewish Emerging Leaders (JewEL) in partnership with the Israeli American Council (IAC).

The Good Deeds Day planning committee included Dr. Azin Azma, Hadas Newman, Michael BenShimon, Michelle Dahan, Ben Wegener, David Shafshak, Lihi Ashkelon, Allan Levin, Danielle Rubinstein, Andrew Spivak, and Arielle Ventura. Volunteers participated in more than 10 different community service projects and touched hundreds of lives in Las Vegas.

“I was honored to help organize this incredible day of service,” said Azin Azma, JewEL’s Chairwoman for Good Deeds Day for the third year in a row. “I was pleased that so many of our young leaders volunteered alongside teenagers, college students, children, and community members of all ages and backgrounds.”

“Our Las Vegas community came out full force to make a difference in our city,” added Michael BenShimon, JewEL Board Member. “Seeing so many people come together with the shared vision of Tikkun Olam was inspiring and meaningful.”

On Good Deeds Day more than 200 volunteers participated in 10 projects around the city and impacted the lives of thousands in need. Here are some highlights from this year's projects: 

  • 70 low-income Jewish seniors were hand delivered Passover Food baskets so they can celebrate the Holiday 
  • Hundreds of women, children, and their pets at Shade Tree received a hot meal and much needed assistance at the shelter 
  • More than 30 volunteers gave love and attention to furry friends at Hearts Alive Animal Rescue 
  • Volunteers worked tirelessly to install much needed lighting and electrical work at resident homes for Boys Town Nevada 
  • Despite the pouring rain volunteers showed up with a smile on their face to help at a local community garden 
  • 14 volunteers donated 15 unites of blood, which will immediately impact the lives of 45 people in need 
  • Children and their families read PJ Library books about Tikkun Olam with a local Holocaust Survivor 
  • Volunteers helped at the Holocaust Education Seder and the Temple Sinai Yiddish Las Vegas Music and Culture festival 

“There were so many great service projects to choose from that it was hard deciding where to go,” noted Sam Cohen, JewEL Member. “I decided to help deliver Passover Baskets to home-bound Las Vegas Senior Lifeline Clients, and I am so happy that I did. One of the women we delivered a basket to was so overwhelmed with joy and gratitude that she broke down in tears and thanked us for making it possible for her to celebrate Passover. She told us that without our donation of Passover food that she would not have been able to keep the holiday.” For the fifth year in a row, Good Deeds Day volunteers delivered Kosher for Passover baskets to 70 Las Vegas Senior Lifeline and Jewish Family Service Agency Clients, enabling them to observe the holiday.

Sponsors of this year’s Mitzvah Day included Safesplash, Platinum Real Estate Professionals, Parnell Electric, William Hill, Fifth Street Gaming, Nannies and Housekeepers, Wells Fargo, Realtors Care, JServe, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, and A&B Printing. “Mitzvah Day would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors,” noted Azin Azma.

 

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