On Sunday, October 26, 18 community members (teens and their parents) came together for Teen Mitzvah of the Moment: Comfort Kits for Breast Cancer Awareness.* Volunteers packed 100 comfort kits that have been distributed to Breast Cancer patients currently undergoing chemotherapy at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston. The kits included items such as fuzzy socks, coloring books, colored pencils, tissues, and a handwritten note from a volunteer reminding every patient that their community stands with them in their fight. Studies show that meaningful emotional support can have a powerful impact on overall patient outcomes.
The next morning, Meryl Heller reached out to share, “What a great event yesterday! Thank you!”
Meryl attended with her daughter, Shayna, a junior in high school who has joined us for the last three Teen Mitzvah of the Moment events. Shayna reflected, “Participating in the teen mitzvah moments has helped me connect with other Jewish teens while making a difference in our community. Through the breast cancer event, I used creativity to spread a message to support patients who are going through treatment. We hope to show them that they are not alone. These experiences have shown me the power of community service in bringing people together and offering hope.”
It was a special morning filled with our shared values of kehillah (community), g’milut chasadim (kindness), and tikkun olam (commitment to bringing light into the world).
*This program was made possible by the generosity of the Cooperman Family Fund for a Jewish Future and donors to the UJA Annual Campaign. We look forward to continuing to bring our community together for future Teen Mitzvah Moments that inspire connection and compassion.