Mitzvah Day

"The world stands upon three things: learning, prayer, and righteous deeds."

The annual Mitzvah Day springtime event engages our entire SWFS community in acts of g’milut chasadim (loving kindness), "doing good deeds together."

Rabbi Hirsch writes, "Judaism is a religion of deeds. As much as we emphasize study, our tradition reminds us that if study does not lead to action then we have missed the whole point."

Ours is an optimistic faith. We have profound trust in the human potential and human progress. We do not believe in sitting back and awaiting the coming of the savior. We believe that people working in partnership with each other and God, can usher in a messianic era of health, happiness, and peace.

There is a passage in our tradition that asks what should a farmer do if in the middle of planting his vineyard news reaches him that the messiah is at the entrance to the village. He should first complete the planting of his vineyard, is the response, and then go and check out the news of the messiah’s arrival.

The word "mitzvah" implies "good deed," but that is not its true meaning. "Mitzvah" means commandment. We are commanded to make our world a better place, not as an act of charity, but as an obligation of our existence.

The Board of Trustees and an extended team of volunteers work hard to organize the SWFS Mitzvah Day. All are welcome to participate. In helping to make the world a better place, you are fulfilling one of the central tenets of Judaism.

Projects have included: collecting old cell phones which are reprogrammed for 911 calls and are provided to seniors and others at risk, knitting squares for baby blankets, a sanctuary and synagogue shine–up, collecting books and making bookmarks for the Reach Out & Read program, creating decoupage glass trays and painting flowerpots for plants that will brighten up an elderly person’s day at the Jewish Home & Hospital, creating welcome cards and wrapping Shabbat candles for our new temple members, decorating tzedakah boxes, packaging food for the Emergency Food Program, nearby park clean–up, participation in the AID Walk NY event, and social action projects, such as learning and advocacy programs for the Save Darfur effort.


Click here to find out more about SWFS Service Programs or select one of the options below to see the many ways your 100 Minutes can make a difference. Contact Heather Stoltz, Community Service Coordinator at 212-877-4050 x244 or CommunityService@swfs.org with any questions or for more information about any of the programs listed.

Also check out our Mitzvah of the Month and see how SWFS Members are giving back to the community in our 100 Minutes in Action Article.