This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Smith Jewish Academy community put learning into action. Thanks to the leadership of PTO Co-Chairs Colette Friedenson and Erica Karasov, more than 50 students, parents, and teachers came together for a hands-on service project at Feed My Starving Children, packing nutritious meals for people facing hunger around the world.
For the PTO, marking MLK Day with service felt especially meaningful. “Smith does a wonderful job teaching our children about tz’dakah and the deep roots of generosity in Jewish life,” shared Colette. “But it’s important for our kids to see those values in action. Tz’dakah is more than putting a dollar in a box — it’s about coming together for a greater cause and giving our time and energy to make a difference.”
Volunteering side by side strengthens the bonds that make Smith more than just a school. “It’s always fun to gather socially,” Colette noted, “but there’s something especially powerful about working together on a project that does real good. We want our kids to come back to school energized to continue contributing to their families, their neighborhoods, and their communities. Tz’dakah begins at home.”
Students also see a powerful model of shared values as parents and teachers volunteer together. “Our children see their teachers not only as educators, but as active community members who practice what they preach,” Colette explained. “We’re lucky to have so many adults in our kids’ lives who model generosity, kindness, and compassion.”
Service projects like this are a cornerstone of Jewish education at Smith. Families choose SJA not only for its academic excellence, but for the way Jewish values are woven into daily life. “We want our children to see how their Jewish identities can guide their choices — on weekends, in everyday interactions, and in how they relate to people of all backgrounds,” Colette shared. “Coming together on a day off to volunteer says a lot about who we are as a community.”
Moments like this remind us that Smith is more than a place of learning — it is a community rooted in purpose, connection, and tikkun olam. On MLK Day, that commitment comes to life in the most meaningful way: together.