In February Yeshivat Rambam students in Gan through 12th Grade participated in a “Day of Kindness.” The purpose of this day was to increase awareness and heighten sensitivity of our students to how they interact with others.

In the Elementary School, Head of School Dr. Shloush and School Psychologist Dr. Sharon Buck introduced the program at a student assembly where the students were greeted, and then to kick off the day the students viewed a Dr. Seuss video entitled “The Sneetches.” The message conveyed by the video was the high costs of prejudice and categorizing people and that it is much better to focus on what is inside a person and not what is on the outside.

The remainder of the day was filled with different activities prepared by each teacher promoting positive social interactions. The activities included reading stories, creating projects, making get well cards for hospital patients, and performing skits for fellow students on this topic.

In the Middle School and High School there were activities planned as well. The teachers devised lesson plans relating to kindness and empathy, and yet were still part of their particular area of expertise. Lessons ranged from reading stories about our gedolim (Torah role models), to studying the concept of ethno mathematics, to learning about social behavior patterns in animals. Class discussions involved topics such as giving, revenge, and social manners. In addition to class discussions with teachers, the significance of the day was discussed with each class on Wednesday and Thursday with groups led by Dr. Sharon Buck, and Mrs. Joan Cohen and Mrs. Lisa Schkloven from Jewish Family Services.

We are grateful to all our teachers who put forth effort and demonstrated their creativity to make this day as meaningful as it was. It is hoped that the “Day of Kindness” will serve to promote further discussion and attention to these important aspects in the character development of our students.

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