Chesed

One of the main focuses of a Park East Day School education is the development of empathy, and an understanding of the various and wide-reaching needs of the people around us. Through our "chesed" program, student learn to value the gifts and benefits that they have been given and to recognize that they have a commitment to make the world around them a better place for all.

The value of charity is stressed from a young age, with children in Early Childhood being encouraged to give tzedakah every morning. Students respond to current events throughout the year. Park East Day School students held a toy drive to support victims of Katrina and victims of terror in Sderot. In sixth, seventh, and eighth grade, students volunteer at animal shelters, hospitals, clothing drives, and through inter-generational programs (such as Dorot).

In what has become an annual Park East Day School tradition, students from kindergarten through grade eight participate in a Tzedakah Read-a-Thon by signing up sponsors who pledge a certain amount per page, and then reading as many books as possible during the month-long program. In a true show of the caring and generosity of the Park East community, students were able to raise ten thousand dollars in the 2009-2010 Read-a-Thon. Our children learn to respect all people and celebrate the dignity and value of every individual through our "chesed" programs.