SALEM – Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP), Boston’s Jewish Federation, is joining the Jewish Teen Initiative of Greater Boston (JTI) and J-Serve to bring North Shore Mitzvah Day to Salem on April 22, 11:30-4 p.m. Teen and adult leaders will facilitate projects – ranging from landscaping and cooking to building and painting projects – to support the work of Lifebridge and the Plummer Youth Promise.
This event is free and open to the public. People of all ages and abilities are encouraged to pre-register for this event by visiting cjp.org/nsmitzvahday.
“Over the past six years, J-Serve’s International Day of Service has stood out as an incredible volunteer event featuring teen leadership, design thinking, innovation, community service, and significant social impact. We couldn’t be more excited to expand our reach by working alongside CJP to bring this dynamic teen-led volunteer opportunity to all ages throughout the community,” said Adam Smith, executive director of the Jewish Teen Initiative.
Lifebridge is a shelter dedicated to ending homelessness. The organization offers essential services that target the needs of homeless and disadvantaged adults. Programs focus on education, employment, and self-sufficiency. Plummer Youth Promise is an organization committed to helping troubled youth find meaningful connections to family and build their skills and community connections.
“I hope Mitzvah day will provide others with the ability to make a difference in our community through tikkun olam. Bringing teens together with a common identity provides a great opportunity to connect with others, build new relationships, and make a visible impact close to home. I am so excited and honored that I will get to help lead these projects on a larger scale, and hope that a large amount of visibility will attract more people to ‘repair the world’ with us,” said Maya Goldman, a JTI teen leader.
“I was thrilled with the idea of a community-wide Mitzvah day on the North Shore, which is made even better through JTI and the CJP North Shore Planning Committee partnering to truly make this a multi-generational day of service. I can think of no better way to spend a wonderful and meaningful afternoon. Grandparents, parents, children, and friends, working together, using our hands and guided by our hearts, helping those in need, creating dozens of projects to enhance two incredible agencies,” said Anne Selby, co-chair of CJP’s North Shore Planning Committee.
This year’s projects will include:
- Baking and cooking
- Painting interior
- Mural painting
- Building picnic tables and benches
- Building Adirondack chairs
- Making gift baskets and table decorations
- Gardening and beautifying grounds
There will be a bus with pick up/drop off points in Peabody and Marblehead. You can view a schedule here.
This event is made possible through a donation from the Michael Steinberg Leadership Development Endowment Fund, aimed to develop leadership on the North Shore. Other contributions to this event include a grant from BBYO as well as support from Prime Motor Group and Levine’s Kosher Meats and Deli.