Tampa, Fla. – To honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on the holiday that bears his name, students and staff at Hillel Academy are taking action. Instead of taking the day off, students will be in school, studying speeches made by the civil rights hero, and working hard to improve our community in ways they hope would have made him proud.
“There is no better way to honor the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. then by continuing his legacy with social service in our community,” says Head of School Allison Oakes.
A few projects in which students will participate, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. include:
- Making collars for dogs at Southeastern Guide Dogs
- Decorating snack bags, and filling them, for families staying at Ronald McDonald House
- Creating blankets for the homeless
- Participating in a food drive for Feeding Tampa Bay
- Beautifying the school through washing fences and sheds, weeding and gardening in Rachel’s Butterfly Garden and the TUB Farms hydroponic garden
Additionally, students will plant a tree at Hillel Academy in the school’s annual Tree Planting Ceremony for Tu b’Shevat, the Jewish holiday known as “New Year of the Trees.” The festival is one of four New Years of the Jewish calendar. Tu b’Shevat is an opportunity to raise awareness about and to care for the environment through the teaching of Jewish sources celebrating nature. It is also a day to focus on the environmental sensitivity of the Jewish tradition by planting trees wherever Jews may live.
Hillel Academy, Tampa Bay area’s only accredited Jewish school, embraces the diversity, rich culture and traditions of Judaism, and is a member of the Jewish Community Day School Network and the National Association of Independent Schools. The school is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools and the Florida Kindergarten Council. More information about Hillel Academy’s offerings, registration process, financial aid and tour scheduling are available by calling Admissions at 813.963.2242 or emailing admissions@hillelacademytampa.com.