Student Government leaders have been busy this fall, preparing a grant to help purchase much-needed food for those in need, planning an upcoming Thanksgiving Shabbat breakfast, deciding on how to complete the many requirements to maintain our National Student Council Recognition of Gold Excellence Award, and planning an upcoming “No Place for Hate” committee that will be comprised of students, faculty, administrators, and others.
A highlight this month for Student Government was the first meeting of our JFS Metrowest/Rashi Teen Leadership Council. Over 45 students signed up to participate, and many commented that they came away from the meeting even more empowered to make a difference. Student Government President Zach Sherman ’26, welcomed our guests by quoting Rabbi Dr. Jonathan Sacks:
“ ‘You achieve immortality not by building pyramids or statues, but by engraving your values on the hearts of your children, and so on until the end of time.’ He continued, “JFS, you have embodied this – you are like parents to us in that you teach us. You make sure the next generation is learning and understanding how to make the world a better place … We are so grateful for this opportunity to be empowered.”
Our students are thinking and asking not only themselves, but each other, what kind of leaders they want to be.
Students are learning through all of these activities to be more effective writers, thinkers, and communicators, becoming more equipped at understanding budgets, fundraising, and event planning, while building a positive school culture. Another student leader reminded us that many people celebrated National Kindness Day this past week. While our work is never done, our students are working diligently to make kindness a part of their daily lives.