The sun shone brightly on Sunday, June 2 as students and their families from the Strelitz International Academy Mitzvah Club gathered at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront for a beach cleanup event that blended service with fun.
The day began with laughter as children played with bubbles and created colorful chalk art on the boardwalk, setting the tone for the community effort ahead.
Armed with gloves, trash bags, and a strong sense of purpose, the volunteers spread out across the beach to pick up litter. The initiative was not only about cleaning up the environment but also about embodying the Jewish value of “Tikkun Olam” — the concept of repairing the world.
Participants collected bags full of trash, including plastic bottles, food packaging, and other debris – turning the beach into a cleaner, more inviting space for everyone to enjoy.
After the cleanup, the group took a well-deserved break, enjoying a moment of relaxation on the now pristine beach. The event ended with participants feeling a deep sense of accomplishment and community spirit.
This beach cleanup is just one of the many activities organized by the SIA Mitzvah Club. Highlights of the past year include:
- Donating 24 honey jars and heartfelt cards to homebound seniors for Rosh Hashanah, bringing sweetness and joy to those who might otherwise feel isolated during the holiday.
- Contributing approximately 500 bottles of water to the Judeo-Christian Outreach Center, helping to provide essential hydration to those in need.
- Collecting and donating 100 winter coats, ensuring that many could stay warm during the colder months.
- Gathering and distributing 300 books to REACH, promoting literacy and the love of reading among children.
- Raising and donating $268 to the Benjamin Goldberg Foundation, supporting important causes and research.
The SIA Mitzvah Club’s commitment to service and community reflects the core Jewish value of “Gemilut Chasadim” — acts of loving-kindness. Through their various projects, club members demonstrate that even small acts of kindness can have a big impact.
In addition to making the oceanfront a cleaner place, the beach cleanup reinforced the importance of community service and the power of collective action. The Mitzvah Club’s efforts remind all that when people come together with a shared purpose, the world can be made a better place for everyone.
Strelitz International Academy is Tidewater’s Community Jewish Day School serving infants through grade 5. To learn more about the school, go to https://strelitzinternationalacademy.org/. Ally St. Pierre is admissions and marketing manager for Strelitz International Academy.