How MDYHS Students Bring Light to Our Community All Year Long
At Magen David Yeshivah High School, Hesed is not an extracurricular activity, it’s a way of life. It shapes our students, strengthens our community, and defines who we aspire to be. From ongoing partnerships with local organizations to large-scale grade-wide initiatives, MDYHS students consistently step forward with a genuine desire to make a difference and give back.
One of the most valued ongoing Hesed experiences is our monthly partnership with the Sephardic Community Center and Imagine Academy. Each month, MDYHS students meet Imagine students for a Build-A-Bear workshop, where the Imagine students take the lead as “staff,” guiding their new friends through the bear-building experience. The joy in the room is unmistakable. Our students, along with the students from Imagine, look forward to these visits with excitement, and their interactions are full of laughter, encouragement, and warmth. It has become increasingly clear that this experience benefits everyone involved.
Recently, the entire 12th grade traveled to Lakewood for Senior Hesed Day, devoting an entire day to giving back. The boys began at Chai Lifeline, assembling gift packages for children to receive on Hanukkah. The girls visited Bikur Holim, preparing Shabbat meals for hospital rooms throughout New Jersey. Both groups toured the facilities and learned about the life-changing services these organizations provide, from medical referrals to housing near hospitals to vital equipment rentals.
The boys continued their day at Tomchei Shabbos, breaking down boxes and helping organize the warehouse, while the girls headed to Chai Lifeline, where they joined in packaging care packages for families in need.
The day culminated at Leisure Chateau, a rehab center and nursing home. There, our seniors brought music, dancing, warmth, and connection to the residents, lighting up the room with their presence.
We are incredibly proud of our seniors, who represented our school with dignity, kindness, and enthusiasm at every stop. Their efforts were deeply appreciated by the organizations and individuals they touched.
There were other Hesed opportunities this month as well. A group of MDYHS students had the privilege of joining Reach for the Stars for a special Hanukkah celebration. The celebration featured a reptile farm, a bubble show, and festive Hanukkah-themed art projects. Our students embraced the opportunity to connect, celebrate, and create lasting memories with the children.
Right before Thanksgiving, when an early dismissal might have sent most teens home for the afternoon, six MDYHS girls chose differently. They spent their free time at the Special Children’s Center, visiting the Little Explorers Play House and giving their energy, attention, and heart to the children there.
Their choice reflects the very essence of MDYHS values, seeing others, showing up, and making a difference when it matters most. What unites all these moments, from monthly Build-A-Bear partnerships, to grade-wide service days, to individual acts of compassion, is the unwavering belief that every student can impact the world for the better. At MDYHS, our students don’t just do Hesed, they live it, embody it, and elevate everyone around them through it.
Tizku l’mitzvot (may you merit many mitzvot) to all of our students. Your actions bring light to our community and beyond.
