188 North Prospect Street
Burlington, Vermont 05401
(802) 864-0218

Mitzvah Day (& Mitzvah Weekend!)

Giving Back & Striving to Heal the World

Our annual Mitzvah Day event is a highlight of the OZ Hebrew School year.  It has now expanded into Mitzvah Weekend with programming for all ages.

The center of our Sunday morning Mitzvah Day event are presentations by our b mitzvah students of their individual “Mitzvah Projects.” They each share how they are taking action to make the world a better place. The event also includes a guest speaker and group action project, as well programming for Full Circle Preschool families.

In 2023, Mitzvah Day is expanding to Mitzvah Weekend, including OZ’s Inaugural Social Action Award.

Learn More:

  • Mitzvah Day is based on the concept of “Tikkun olam,” Hebrew for “world repair”.  This phrase has come to mean social action and the pursuit of social justice in Jewish circles.  Read more about Tikkun Olam here.

2023 Mitzvah Day Highlights:

  • Click here to view this year’s Mitzvah Project Presentations.
  • We presented our Inaugural Social Action Award to Michael Schaal! Click here to read Board President Jeff Potash’s dedication and click here to read Michael’s remarks

2022 Mitzvah Day highlights:

  • Mitzvah Projects of B Mitzvah students Norah, LeahLila and Benny.  (Wondering if these projects have a lasting impact? Check out this video from one of our Mitzvah Project alumni!
  • Karen Robair, the Manager of OZ’s Shalom Shuk, spoke about how the Shuk has contributed over $150,000 in goods to new Americans in our community, helped over 100 kids attend local summer camps, and supports after school programs.  She challenged attendees to help find a way to get supplies to recently resettled Afghans to Barre, Vermont.
  • Full Circle Preschoolers, OZ Hebrew School students and Mitzvah Day attendees working hand in hand putting together bags of donated personal hygiene goods and school supplies for new American students.
  • OZ Nadav teen interns baking cupcakes for everyone and helping out in the Shuk!

Mitzvah Day is the most important day of our Hebrew School year! – Naomi, Director of Youth Education

Here’s a link to a Seven Days article on one of our 2022 Projects!

 

 

 

Mitzvah Project Archive

OZ’s 2021 Mitzvah Projects

2021 Kids VT article featuring some of our Mitzvah Projects:

Page Reader Press Enter to Read Page Content Out Loud Press Enter to Pause or Restart Reading Page Content Out Loud Press Enter to Stop Reading Page Content Out Loud Screen Reader Support