Heschel West honors the value of giving

Heschel West Day School recently hosted two events on the value of giving. On May 3, Heschel West students participated in the annual Jog-a-Thon, and on June 1, they celebrated the holiday of Shavuot.

The Jog-a-Thon raised more than $13,000 as students collected money for the laps they ran. This money is given to both national and international charities.

The holiday of Shavuot, the Festival of Weeks, commemorates the time when the first fruits were harvested and brought to the temple and also the giving of the Torah. Families of the school, as well as new families entering the school in the fall, celebrated this holiday together.

Students brought fruits and vegetables, placed in decorated baskets, to be donated to those in need. Students also reenacted the receiving of the Ten Commandments. The Ten Commandments were recited and those present vowed to live by its teachings.

Commenting on the importance of giving, Rivka Ben

Daniel, director of Hebrew and Judaic studies at Heschel West, said that "it is part of our responsibility as Jews and as human beings to stand up for each other and assist those in need."

Heschel West is a Jewish day school operating in Agoura Hills since 1994. Heschel West educates 218 students in grades from transitional kindergarten through middle school.

For more information, call Stephanie Levin, development coordinator, at (818) 707-2365.