The students at AMIT Anna Teich Ulpanat Haifa celebrated getting their midterm report cards with an act of chesed: They gathered at the local gemach to prepare hundreds of packages of food for the needy. Once they finished packing, their teachers handed out their report cards.
The AMIT network stresses the importance of contributing to society and one’s community, and the girls volunteer regularly at the gemach, a traditional repository of items that community members can borrow with dignity and convenience and without being shamed.
The students said that combining their volunteer work and academics helps them prioritize what’s really important in life.
“Instead of focusing on ourselves on the day we got our grades, we were busy doing something meaningful for others,” said Shirel, a 10th grader at the school. “It created an atmosphere of giving and of helping disadvantaged families.”
Moriah Shapira, the principal of the school, said, “The highest grade each student can give herself is for helping others and contributing to her community. This is the greatest lessons the students learn at our school.”
