Yavneh Hebrew Academy Participates in Areivut Program

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Yavneh Hebrew Academy Participates in Areivut Program

One Los Angeles Jewish day school traveled around the world, from the leisure of their classrooms and dinner table. Over the last seven weeks at Yavneh Hebrew Academy, students participated in the Areivut program which exhibited Jewish communities across seven continents.

School leadership set out to show their students the concept that all members of Bnei Yisrael are mutually responsible for each other, “’Kol Yisroel areivim zeh la zeh,’ and they feel the importance of Klal Yisrael and their society,” said JJ Duchman, Yavneh’s Program Director.

We are told (In Tanna DeBei Eliyahu Rabbah, Chapter 11) that the Jewish people are similar to a ship. If there is a hole in the lower hold, one does not say, “Only the lower hold has a hole in it.” Rather they immediately recognize that the ship is liable to sink and that they must repair the hole down below. Whether here in Los Angeles, in Eretz Yisrael, or worldwide, being able to look out for a fellow, through any situation, has been a continuous factor to Jewish survival and maintenance throughout history.

“What we do for others is the definition of who we are, and who we will become,” said Yavneh’s rav and dean, Rabbi Einhorn.

Each week, students were challenged with a mission. The missions were filled with inspiring stories and lessons to be read at the dinner table, telling the tales of gedolim, shluchim, and the simple folk who made sure to look out for their fellow Jew. Each week brought a special mission to accomplish, relating to the continent of the week.

Each Friday, students were visited from a special guest, representing another continent: Frumie from Europe, the Kohen Gadol from Asia, Simcha from South America, David from Africa, Leah from Australia, and Moshe from Antartica! Such diversity—the languages, the food, the school systems—yet guess what? WE ARE ALL THE SAME!

The students now know that distance does not and cannot hinder the connection Jewish souls have with each other. They understand that they are the many different limbs making ONE body, the Jewish people, who are preparing the world for Mashiach to come, together.