ROXANNE MALEH
THE THOUGHT OF TRAVELING TO ORLANDO WITH MY FAMILY FOR THE SBH DISNEY MARATHON, HAD ME AND MY DAUGHTERS EXCITED FOR WEEKS. IT WAS A DREAM VACATION FOR MY FAMILY: A COMMUNITY EVENT, SURROUNDED BY MANY YOUNG STUDENTS, WITH A GUARANTEED TRIP TO SEE THEIR BELOVED DISNEY CHARACTERS.
Yet, an unexpected highlight of the weekend was spending quality time with my Magen David Yeshivah High School students, the members of my extended family.
Throughout the weekend’s events, I experienced moments of pride and appreciation for the student body. They too seemed to appreciate that their teacher was partaking and valuing the organization. We bonded as they played with my kids, sat next to my family during sessions and in shul, and conversed with me in the hotel lobby. Their confidence, social skills, and maturity are signs of the future leaders they will be.
Another testament to the commitment the MDY students have to hesed was wonderfully displayed by the volunteers and SBH employees at the event. Former students of mine Rachel Bawabeh and Frimette Harary were photographers during the weekend. They woke up early each day, and stayed up late at night documenting the event. Furthermore, dozens of students who had graduated joined the program to show their continued dedication to hesed.
The teenagers’ zeal and enthusiasm for the community organization was apparent when 200 high school students woke up at 3 A.M. to run the Disney half marathon. Sporting pins of support for Israel, students who never ran before, ran 13.1 miles through Disney’s Magic Kingdom. I spoke with Katie Antebi, a junior at Magen David, who said she “was on a high” while she was running. She felt the adrenaline of running for a cause, and truly enjoyed every minute. Lori Laniado, another high school junior, said the weekend was a testament that we have the ability to influence young adults, and she left the weekend inspired and wanting to get more involved.
The theme of the weekend was discovering how each individual could use his or her talents to contribute to our community. There were many sessions and speeches focusing on embracing our talents, but more importantly finding our own way to act and give back. Students were asked to self-reflect on their current and future contributions to their world.
The event literally hit home, when I returned back to Magen David Yeshivah High School, on the day following the event. In perfect conjunction with the Disney event, the school spearheaded a school-wide book reading of the novel Joseph: How One Man Can Make a Difference by Jack Doueck. The book is filled with inspiring personal stories about how Mr. Joseph Beyda A”H made a difference in the lives of various community members over the course of his life and tenure as president of SBH.
Under the guidance of the English Department head, Mrs. Stephanie Shamah, the entire student body received a copy of the book in January. For four weeks students read the novel, and had class discussions focusing on Mr. Beyda’s hesed and selfless acts.
Magen David had the privilege of hosting Mr. Beyda’s children, Mrs. Shirley Catton and Mr. David Beyda, the current SBH president and an attendee at the marathon event. It was a harmonious segue from the weekend that was focused on giving back. I watched the faces of students I had just spent the weekend with, and continued their tribute to SBH.
Of course in true Joseph Beyda fashion, the students did not just talk about hesed, they participated in acts of hesed, driving home the idea that the key is giving up our time and talents to helping others. I was in awe as all the high school girls quickly gathered to create mazza to be sent to needy families on Purim. With Israeli music blasting in the background, and a joyous energy, the girls rolled, twisted, fluted and dolloped delicious mazza. Teachers and parents came to share in this mitzvah, and teachers were asked to speak about the role of cooking in their lives. The common theme was that cooking allowed us the opportunity to celebrate our traditions and show love for our friends and family.
The rambunctious boys used their energy to make mishloach manot for children who may not have the opportunity to participate in the mitzvah. They made two manot for each child, so that they could fully participate in the mitzvah of giving and receiving. It reminded me of the SBH weekend’s message to use our talents and personalities to help others.
The two events were so completely in sync. There was no denying the synergy between the Disney Marathon weekend and the Magen David event. Mr. Joseph Beyda lived a life of empathy and giving. Students learned a lot about the beautiful organization he helped create and raised funds to support the organization during their weekend in Orlando. They honored his legacy by continuing the tradition of giving back in such a public display of hesed in Magen David Yeshivah High School.
Roxanne Maleh is an English teacher at MDYHS.
