High School Girls Get to Work

On the first day back at school after Hurricane Irma, students at the Rohr Bais Chaya Academy at the Kodsi Campus in Coral Springs, Florida were more than ready to get back to regular classes and learning.

And they did…with one change. Throughout the day, shifts of girls took turns preparing and packing meals to send to Shluchim distributing food to individuals and families still without power.

As the girls sliced vegetables, checked lettuce, and cleaned chickens, the school administration fielded phone calls from Shluchim requesting meals for their communities. One Shliach called first for a local nursing home, again for a fellow Shliach in need, and yet a third time on behalf of the county which had run out of food to distribute and turned to Chabad for help. In response, the girls chopped and mixed even more, boxed and labeled food, and did it all cheerfully and gracefully.

Executive Director, Rabbi Moshe Rabin explained, “Our vision is to raise lamplighters, Chassidim committed to giving to others. An initiative like this is exactly in line with that goal, and we know it gives the Rebbe tremendous nachas.”

Although some students still did not have electricity restored in their own homes, some had evacuated due to the hurricane, and many of the out of town students living in the dorm had just weathered their first hurricane, they were wholly focused on the task at hand, knowing their efforts would result in someone enjoying a proper meal.

“This is pure Yiddishe, Chassidishe nachas!” said one parent. For the over 750 beneficiaries of the girls’ cooking, it was even more special.

“A lot of seniors have been literally eating peanut butter and any spoiled food they can get their hands on,” said Rabbi Leibel Kudan, of Hollywood, FL. ” They were so grateful to get delicious, fresh meals. These girls made such a difference to so many.”