BBYO, KCUSY, NCSY/JSU, and The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah recently came together to create a community-wide program at Mitzvah Garden KC for Jewish teens called Harvest and Havdalah.
Inspired by a program of Jewish Federation’s Young Adults Division that BBYO Regional Director Annie Rifkin attended earlier this year, a group of Jewish teens from across the city came together to form community, have fun and volunteer.
“Everyone — teens and staff — enjoyed each other’s company and got to know one another while picking pepper and tomatoes under a full moon,” Rifkin said. “It was a wonderful evening and meaningful experience volunteering at the Mitzvah Garden.”
The evening began with Havdalah, led by Kansas City NCSY and JSU Director Aharon Zazulia, with the assistance of several teen leaders. Peter Loftspring, a Mitzvah Garden volunteer, explained the importance and significance of the Mitzvah Garden to the teens. He led the group into the garden to show them the various projects to be completed, which included picking peppers and tomatoes.
In the course of the two-hour program, participants socialized and picked over 100 pounds of vegetables to be distributed to those in the community who need them the most.
Rabbi Caitlin Brazner of B’nai Jehudah and Loftspring spoke at the event about how the participants did not know who they were helping, and their help would be anonymous, but the difference they were making would be significant. One of the highest forms of giving on Maimonides’ Ladder of Tzedakah is anonymous giving and receiving.
“For me, what was so impactful about this program was the collaborative nature of it,” said KCUSY Director Ben Novorr. “I feel so grateful to have colleagues like Annie, Aharon, and Rabbi Brazner that share in my love and passion for community-wide programming for teens and seek out chances to bring our teens together, and I think our teens really enjoyed it.”
“Harvest and Havdalah brought together such a wonderful group of teens,” Zazulia said. “I love seeing people from different backgrounds, youth groups and schools come together with one shared goal: making the world a better place. This event was a beautiful expression of chesed and tikkun olam.”
Rabbi Brazner, who is new in the Kansas City Jewish community, said, “It was so special to spend an evening with teens from all over Kansas City — having fun, getting to know one another, and volunteering side by side. The Mitzvah Garden is a true gem in our community, and B’nai Jehudah was so happy to help contribute to this meaningful event.”
Mitzvah Garden KC is constantly taking volunteers, and there are many opportunities to help those in the community. Those interested can visit www.mitzvahgardenkc.com for more information.