Mitzvah Day teaches children the art of caring

SOPHIA FISCHER/Acorn Newspapers

GOOD DEEDS- Members of Temple Aliyah in Woodland Hills take part in Mitzvah Day, a time when thousands of volunteers across Southern California organized charity projects. From left, Ellie Boock, Sami Lavin and Hannah Selesnick take a break from making sand art menorahs to meet with Jeff Bernhardt, the synagogue's director of community caring. The sand art, along with tzedakah charity boxes like the one Bernhardt is holding, will be sent to Chai Lifeline, an organization that helps Jewish children with serious illnesses.