By Jennie Smith, Assistant Education Officer and Avi West, Master Teacher and Director of the Shulamith Reich Elster Resource Center at the Partnership for Jewish Life and Learning

Published in the Washington Jewish Week, April 6, 2011

Some people connect to Judaism using the formula Eat-Pray-Love. Others travel the path of Learn-Do-Love. Both are valid ways into a system of living a life of meaning. And both can share one English word that describes two very different activities -- SERVICE. While we are mostly familiar with the various prayer services, the “Do!” in Judaism can also be seen as sacred service.

In the Talmud, the Sages famously debated, “What is preferred: midrash/learning or ma’ase/doing?” After hearing good justification for both, they decided that learning was indeed more important, when it informed and stimulated more doing. Jews have always been involved in community service within the Jewish AND the general community. You probably have observed a bus of kids in matching t-shirts picking up trash, slapping some paint on a wall, and, after a few hours, going home. Maybe you remember spending time on a project that really challenged your perspective on a social issue. One-day service projects have the potential to be wonderful and transformative experiences. Research has disclosed a few key elements, such as pairing service with learning, that actualize that transformative potential of community service.

Service-Learning can strengthen connections to Judaism and the bigger social issue a project addresses. It focuses the individual doing the service, be it a teen or an adult, on understanding and appreciating our obligation as Jews to perform service, and how our little slice of social action fits into our global mandate to repair the world (tikkun olam). We are too often so focused on the logistics of a project, that the learning slips through the cracks. We are so focused on the doing that we forget to talk about the reasons why we are doing it. Saying “It’s a mitzvah; we are commanded!” can take us only so far. We come from a heritage that trains us to ask questions, and even if they remain silent we know American Jews are thinking, “Why?” Why are we doing this, why is service important, why should I even care about service? [Questions shared by both “wise” and “rebellious” children in the Haggadah.] What does this have to do with Judaism? Jewish texts, ancient and modern, give us compelling answers for most any situation in public service or personal behavior. Remove these explanations and discussions and you remove the amazing balance of ancient roots and modern wings that Judaism provides. We miss a chance to engage each other on the topics that are important to us as Jews, as 21st century Americans and as responsible citizens of the world.

What connections have to be made? How do we ensure that these connections are made? In my experience, as both a participant and staff member at Service-Learning projects, there are three learning steps that can connect service to Judaism. They are:

1. A pre-service connection 
2. A meaningful and engaging service project, and 
3. A reflection on the project and bigger social issues connected to the project. Building-in these steps will change not only how you remember your day of service, but how you will view service in the future.

Pre-service connections are a chance to set the tone for the day. Participants become a group connected by a mission, united in the right mind set. A Jewish values framing could include the delicate balance between doing acts of hessed (loving-kindness) while keeping the recipient’s kavod (honor) intact. Participants become a group connected by a mission, united in the right mind set. An overview of the day can all be tied to project background, the community’s needs, and goals of service by asking some of the following questions: Why does this project matter? Why am I doing this project? What do I expect from it? What Jewish values or traditions align with this project or organization? After asking these questions, (prepping a few answers is encouraged), let your group begin to think about why this service project is or is not valuable. It is okay if there are questions without answers; this gives the group something to think about during their service project.

An engaging and well organized service project is essential for preserving the dignity of the volunteer and recipient of service. This is an opportunity to highlight the distinctive Jewish concept of feeling commanded to do justice (tzedakah), a step beyond doing charitable work. First, explain the connections (e.g. if you go to an organization like a food pantry, a brief presentation from an organizational representative on who they serve, how they got started and the importance of volunteers can really pump up the crowd). Then, make sure all hands are busy for the duration; stay one step ahead of the volunteer coordinator to anticipate what your volunteers will need to stay engaged and productive. Finally, having a measurable outcome at the end of service gives groups a sense of accomplishment. I like to see results and know that I am making a difference. A clean and leaf-free yard or organized and stocked shelves shows me that my service matters, that it made a difference to have my willing hands. Service may not be glamorous, but it should keep me busy working and contemplating the meeting of need in our world.

The last step is holding a reflection and discussion post service. Find a space to sit and have a snack while reflecting. This allows individuals and groups to come full circle and examine their service, answering questions they may have had from the pre-service connections or giving someone the opportunity to ask questions they formed during the service project. Participants can be inducted into the company of modern day prophets, speaking out against injustice wherever it occurs.

Having done the service, what connections does this project or organization have to specific Jewish values? What master stories or contemporary ideas does this connect with? Allow new ideas and opinions to be discussed. Prompt responses by asking “How do you feel about the project? Do you think you made a difference? What was surprising to you? What was different from what you expected? What overall social issue does this connect to? Do you feel like you really had an impact? Is that an important social issue?”

Give people a chance to unpack their feelings and find a personal connection to service. Unpacking and questioning previously held opinions, while seeing the world from a new perspective, is transformative service! Do not skip this step to save time -- it can be the best part of the day, and it is certain to be the piece that allows the service experience to linger longer in the hearts and minds of the volunteers.

Connect, Serve, Reflect, and Unpack. These steps will ensure that your learning leads to doing and your doing will lead to a loving relationship with the Jewish heritage.