Fox Valley Jewish School cooks for Lazarus House

Submitted by Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors

Hot dogs and hamburgers are a standard part of any Fourth of July celebration, and earlier this month, the Fox Valley Jewish School in Geneva helped to keep this tradition alive for those currently staying at Lazarus House, a shelter in St. Charles.

Entering its fourth year, FVJS provides Jewish religious education to children throughout the Tri-Cities and beyond. Students and families make dinners for Lazarus House guests as part of the school’s volunteer and social action program.

This past winter, the students baked cookies to go with a dinner they prepared, all of which was then delivered to Lazarus House. This and other volunteer activities help the students put into practice the concepts of giving, social action, and the Jewish concept of mitzvah (the religious directive to help others), which they learn about in their classes.

Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors holds this Jewish education program in downtown Geneva. This program, held every other Sunday during the school year, has classes for children beginning at age 3 and continuing through eighth grade (with a bar/bat mitzvah preparation program).

They welcome children from those with no formal religious education, Jewish knowledge or background, to those who previously attended Jewish religious education programs. The program provides a general Jewish education and does not adhere to any one particular branch of Judaism.

The school seeks any opportunity to instill in children the importance of helping others. Each year, the school lets the children decide to which causes they want to donate. As part of its overall commitment to community service, it has undertaken to cook for Lazarus once a month.

Lazarus House provides meals and shelter to those in need in the Fox Valley area. For details about Lazarus House, visit lazarushouseonline.com.

For details about Fox Valley Jewish Neighbors, visit fvjn.org or email barb.anderson58@att.net.