Upper School Community Service Day Returns with Renewed Purpose and Community Spirit

The spirit of kehillah (community) and tikkun olam (repair of the world) will be on full display during the return of our Upper School Community Service Day on Thursday, October 9, uniting students across grade levels in acts of kindness and social responsibility.

Scheduled to take place during the festival of Sukkot, the day marks a powerful return to a whole-school initiative after recent years of more grade-specific programming. This year, the entire Upper School, in addition to 5th graders,will step beyond the classroom to engage in service projects throughout the broader community.

“Service has always been part of who we are as a school,” said Paul-Michael Huseman, Upper School Principal. “Coming together as one community reminds us that our shared efforts create a greater impact than any of us could alone.”

Students will volunteer at a range of organizations, including Friendship Circle, Rows for the Hungry, Garret Mountain Reservation, and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. Projects will range from environmental clean-up to food insecurity relief and community outreach.

The decision to hold the day during Sukkot adds spiritual resonance. The holiday, which celebrates impermanence and hospitality, underscores the mitzvah of welcoming guests—a fitting backdrop for a day dedicated to giving to others.

“During Sukkot, we step outside the comfort of our homes into temporary shelters,” said GOA administrator Rabbi Meirav Kallush. “It’s a reminder that many live in vulnerable situations year-round. As Rabbi Tarfon taught in Pirkei Avot, ‘It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you free to neglect it.’ That ancient wisdom drives our modern-day service.”

This philosophy of responsibility has long guided Golda Och Academy’s approach to community engagement. In recent years, students have packed hygiene kits for the homeless, prepared meals for local shelters, and partnered with organizations like the Friendship Circle to support individuals with special needs.

“This day is about stepping out—physically and emotionally—into the lives of others,” added Casey Giblin, Experiential Education Coordinator, who planned the day. “It’s one of the most important things we can teach our students.”

This year’s Community Service Day also carries added significance as we celebrate Golda Och Academy’s 60th anniversary. For six decades, service has been at the heart of who we are—a core value woven into the fabric of our school since its founding. As we reflect on our history, we take pride in our continued commitment to building a more compassionate and just world through action, learning, and community.

As we prepare for this meaningful day, the focus remains clear: building character through action, empathy through experience, and a stronger community through service.