Nearly 250 members of Jewish Tidewater gathered at the Simon Family JCC for this year’s Community Impact Day on Sunday, Nov. 23.
Students from Congregation Beth El, Ohef Sholom Temple, and Temple Emanuel attended Religious School at the event instead of their usual classrooms, spending the morning learning, giving, and engaging with their local Tidewater community.
The gym at the Sandler Family Campus was transformed into a Mitzvah Mall, where roughly 25 nonprofit organizations welcomed families to explore their purpose through interactive activities. Each child received a scavenger hunt booklet upon entering, which guided them to explore each table, ask questions, and engage with the activities. The prompts encouraged students to think about how their donations could support the organization’s work – from funding snacks for children in need to providing materials for shelters or educational programs. This purposeful day allowed attendees to understand that their contributions can create a tangible impact in their community.
“Walking around during Community Impact Day filled my heart to the brim. Seeing children of all ages learning about the amazing organizations helping our community and having the opportunity to donate to them was powerful,” says Jo Nossen.
In addition to the nonprofit tables, children participated in mitzvah projects throughout the gym. They braided dog toys for shelters, assembled snack baskets, and made bracelets, experiencing firsthand the connection between thoughtful acts and meaningful mitzvot.
Families also explored a camp fair in the Cardo, where local day and overnight camps provided information about summer programs focused on growth, learning, and community connection. Children asked questions, discovered new opportunities, and considered programs that may be the best fit for them in the future.
“The Mitzvah Mall is such a special and unique opportunity for kids to make a difference,” says Lindsey Aftel, who attended with her son. “Johnny was motivated to set up a tzedakah box at the Strelitz table after his second-grade class went on a field trip to Operation Smile a few weeks ago. It was important to him to try and help reach the $240 goal to provide a surgery. This event helped him realize that he can make a difference for others.”
“It was so wonderful to partner with the other religious schools and United Jewish Federation of Tidewater to make Community Impact Day a reality,” says Sharon Serbin, education director at Beth El. “Our students and teachers learned about local nonprofits and saw firsthand how their donations help others. Yasher Koach to everyone who made the day such a success!”
By engaging with nonprofits, participating in mitzvah projects, and making thoughtful donations, children gained a deeper understanding of giving, responsibility, and how their actions can make a real difference in the community.
To learn more about family programming visit https://jcc.jewishva.org/pj-library or contact Blake Sisler at Bsisler@UJFT
