AJA Observes Tu B’Shevat and MLK Day with Service
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AJA Observes Tu B’Shevat and MLK Day with Service

On Jan. 18, in conjunction with Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Tu B’Shevat, Atlanta Jewish Academy held its annual Service Learning Day for the fifth-through 12th-graders.

By AJT Staff January 23, 2019, 2:52 pm Edit
  • Speaker Majok Marier discussed his journey as one of the ‘Lost Boys’ of Sudan.
    Speaker Majok Marier discussed his journey as one of the ‘Lost Boys’ of Sudan.
  • AJA students prepare lunches for those in need.
    AJA students prepare lunches for those in need.
  • Students of all ages work together to learn and act, promoting equality and peace.
    Students of all ages work together to learn and act, promoting equality and peace.
  • Photos courtesy of Atlanta Jewish Academy // Learning and volunteering are both keys to the annual Service Learning Day.
    Photos courtesy of Atlanta Jewish Academy // Learning and volunteering are both keys to the annual Service Learning Day.

On Jan. 18, in conjunction with Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Tu B’Shevat, Atlanta Jewish Academy held its annual Service Learning Day for the fifth-through 12th-graders.

The middle schoolers had a meaningful program with special guests and lessons centered around the theme “Planting Seeds to Change the World.” First, the students heard from Majok Marier, a lost boy of Sudan and author of “Seed of South Sudan: Memoir of a Lost Boy Refugee,” (2014). He spoke about his journey out of his war-torn country and how he returned to his village to build wells supplying clean drinking water.

Speaker Majok Marier discussed his journey as one of the ‘Lost Boys’ of Sudan.

After the assembly, each class engaged in purposeful activities. At one station, students packed bags with toiletries and food for shelters in Dekalb County, as part of a partnership with Compassionate Atlanta. Students personalized the bags with notes of promise and encouragement for recipients.

At another station, students painted peace rocks that will be displayed as part of an art installation at AJA. Next, they learned about music that influenced change, from African-American civil rights anthems to Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” (1964). Students also had the opportunity to hear from William Francis, CEO of Atlanta Faith in Action. He spoke about his work with the homeless in Atlanta and showed the students the reality of living on the streets.

Students of all ages work together to learn and act, promoting equality and peace.

In the Upper School, students watched the movie, “Sustainable Nation” and had a meaningful discussion about MLK Day, Tu B’Shevat and the connection to Judaic traditions. They also worked together to pack lunches for the Atlanta Mission that will be delivered to the local homeless community. Throughout the day, they traveled off campus in groups to volunteer at different service organizations in the area, such as Dunwoody Nature Center, Sandy Springs Recycling Center and Samaritan’s Feet.

Students spent a meaningful day learning about tikkun olam and leaving their impact on big issues through action.

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