North Shore students give back to the community

Amidst their piles of school work and

extra-curricular activities, the students of North Shore Hebrew Academy High School in Great Neck still find ample time to donate to the community. Ninth and tenth graders at North Shore are required to perform thirty hours of community service per year; however, many upperclassmen continue their volunteer endeavors throughout their high school careers.

Within the building, students volunteer for the Peer Mentoring program coordinated by Principal of Judaic Studies Rabbi Noam Weinberg. This program sets up students that are struggling in certain subject areas with other students who have mastered those topics. Peer mentors meet with students to study for tests, help with homework or to simply

review skills in a specific area. Rabbi Weinberg said, “The Peer Mentoring program is indicative of the level of respect that students show for each other and the overall culture of our Yeshiva high school. I have been in

undated with students who ask me if they can help their fellow peers. I am so taken by this beautiful show of care and concern that students show for each other. The quality and sensitivity of our students truly sets us apart.”

Students and teachers organize various programs within the school on a regular basis. Physical Education Instructor Mrs. Debra Gold coordinates the school’s community service system and assists students who wish to make a difference. Last month, Mrs. Gold supervised a group of students from each grade who created a unique campaign to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. North Shore donated a whopping total of $14,000 to the society for cancer research and assistance for those affected. In the weeks following the devastating Hurricane Sandy, Mrs. Gold and a handful of students organized a drive to collect household cleaning supplies which were donated to areas that were destroyed by the storm. A learn-a-thon was also organized in which students gathered sponsors who agreed to donate money to the relief fund for Hurricane Sandy for every minute of Torah studied. Under the supervision of Mrs. Gold, several students plan to raise money to purchase a memorial stone with surrounding shrubs and flowers to commemorate the 26 innocent lives that were lost in last month’s Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy.

Many students also join with Dr. Jean Devlin, Director of Student Special Services at NSHAHS, to donate community service hours to Project Interact, an organization that engages in various missions, ranging from eliminating Polio to providing literacy for young children. The Anti-Bias Taskforce, supervised by Mrs. Merrie Coron, coordinates visits to local soup kitchens to provide and pack food for impoverished families during the holidays and throughout the year. In addition, numerous blood drives and canned food drives are coordinated throughout each school year.

Several alumni of North Shore came together to organize a basketball game to raise money to build a bomb shelter in Ashkelon following the nuclear disaster that recently occurred within Israel’s borders. Hebrew Instructor and Coordinator of Israel Awareness Mrs. Orna Amir also arranged an appeal to raise money for a recreational bomb shelter in Sderot. Along with the Israel Awareness Club, Mrs. Amir sold pieces of felt for $10 for students to decorate with inspirational and supportive messages and drawings. The felt pieces were then sewn together into a blanket which was sent to Sderot to be hung in the bomb shelter to provide moral support for the children and families who frequently had to go there seeking safety during Operation Pillar of Defense. All sums of money were gratefully accepted and the North Shore body raised an astounding total of $2,267 which was donated to the Sderot shelter. Eleventh grader and Vice President of the Israel Awareness Club Emma Oberstein stated, “The alacrity of students, teachers and parents to help those in need has really paid off here at North Shore. Coming together to make a difference for children who live in fear daily has made us appreciate how truly fortunate we are.”

Outside of school, NSHAHS students further contribute their time and effort to their respective communities. Many students volunteer at local Friendship Circle organizations as well as the Kulanu Academy, both of which provide services and support to Jewish children with special needs.

With a student body of only 400 students, North Shore Hebrew Academy High School shines through its community service and chesed endeavors. Headmaster Dr. Daniel Vitow warmly said, “There has never been a time that the students of the North Shore Hebrew Academy High School have neglected to do the right thing. They are the most caring and compassionate students I have ever worked with. They are respectful, caring and sensitive young adults who are a credit to the Jewish community and society at large.” From tutoring peers to collecting money for cancer research, the students and teachers of NSHAHS are always willing to lend a helping hand.