Social Action and Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World)
Teaching compassion is at the heart of an Epstein Hillel education. Our students participate in many authentic tikkun olam experiences at every grade level which fosters in them a responsibility to take care of each other, their community, and the environment. These experiences are integrated into our curriculum and are another example of experiential learning at Epstein Hillel.
Tikkun olam initiatives have included fourth grade students’ visits with seniors at The Jack Satter House in Revere to celebrate Jewish holidays, school-wide drives to send care packages to soldiers overseas, as well as collections for Family Table, a Jewish food pantry where our students volunteer throughout the year. In our middle school, students have participated in a year-long collaboration with students from different local schools such as Kipp Academy and the Brickett School in Lynn and Salem Charter School. Using the Facing History and Ourselves curriculum, together they have discussed topics and completed projects about civil rights, culture/identity and prejudice.
From the Day of Service, to the Faculty & Staff social action day, the EHS community knows about the importance of giving back to the North Shore.
Day of Service at EHS
At Epstein Hillel School in Marblehead, every day is spent teaching, and living, the school’s core tenets of potential, identity, curiosity, intellect, compassion and community. The school empowers students to be individuals who are strong in their convictions and committed to helping others with the challenges they face.
Every year, on the day before Thanksgiving, the entire school, students and teachers alike, roll up their collective sleeves for the annual Day of Service. The half-day program provides an exceptional opportunity for students to help those in their community and live the values of compassion and community.
Projects have included raking the yards of the elderly, baking lasagna and pies for Plummer Youth Promise, creating table decorations for My Brother’s Table, and making dog treats and toys for the Northeast Animal Shelter. Faculty and staff have a love of social action as well, and participate in a service project every summer before school begins.