Sixth and seventh graders at Congregation Beth Israel’s Religious School in Scotch Plains created and staffed “Mitzvah Booths” to raise money for several charities at the synagogue’s annual Purim party on Sunday, March 12. The students collected $750 by running games and craft activities in support of their chosen charities, which included: Susan B. Komen Cancer Research; Friends of Linden Animal Shelter; Camp Lee-Mar for special needs campers; NJY Camps; Homeless Female Veterans; No Kid Hungry; anti-bullying; and more. “While Judaism teaches that it is important to donate to charity year-round, it is a particular mitzvah, or good deed, to give to charity during the holiday of Purim,” said Gail Beckman Buchbinder, Education Director of Congregation Beth Israel. “We are hopefully reinforcing a life-long commitment to helping others.”
Many of the carnival participants were dressed in costume as is customary during the Purim celebration.
(above) Seventh-grader Rebecca Strug supported NJY Camps with a basketball throwing booth.
