Imagine a kitchen filled with three groups of teenagers hard at work baking chocolate chip cookies. Imagine they are Jewish teens from across Tidewater, representing a wide variety of schools and cities. And then, imagine they are baking cookies for others.
Stop imagining, as this scene was very real at the inaugural CTeen of Hampton Roads event. CTeeners completed a survey, introduced themselves, had a great time during the ice breakers, and then got to work baking cookies for area police officers.
The kitchen was filled with laughter as new friendships formed, all working towards a good cause. After 100 cookies were placed in the ovens, the teens enjoyed a create your own “sushi bowl” dinner and Rabbi Levi led a D’var Torah discussion.
Next, the teens bounded out to the waiting vans and headed to the Norfolk Police Station, Precinct 1. Warm cookies in tow, the teens received a tour of the precinct from Sergeant Murphy. Tour highlights included visiting the questioning room, Q&A with a detective, handing out the cookies to the police officers just arriving for their shift—and of course, checking out a police car.
CTeener Abby Seeman says, “I enjoyed meeting new people and making new friends. It was rewarding to see the joy and smiles on the officers’ faces. A small act of kindness sure went a long way!”
The next CTeen event, Israel Food Fest, will take place on Sunday, March 17 at 5:30 pm. In addition to partaking in Israeli food, CTeeners will hear about a local Lone Soldier’s service in the IDF and create prayer tags to be sent to IDF service members. RSVP at www.chabadoftidewater.com/cteen or email rashibrashi@me.com.