After the exhausting challenge presented by Wednesday's PSAT, the sophomore and junior classes participated in chesed activities aimed at encouraging students to take a greater role in helping the community. At approximately 1:00 p.m. four different divisions of students set out to assist a multitude of South Florida organizations.

The tenth-grade boys clambered onto a bus, and about thirty minutes later found themselves at the Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options Organization (JAFCO). Students were assigned the task of washing nearly every window in the JAFCO village, after which Executive Director Sarah Franco spoke to the tenth-graders at the sanctuary in the main building. She explained JAFCO's mission, the need for philanthropy and volunteering, and the impact its work is having in the community and beyond. Moshe Levenson ('14) described his experience: "Today we had a great opportunity to perform a direct act of chesed on behalf of Jewish children who need our help. Mrs. Franco explained that washing windows, a seemingly insignificant task, helped her save money that she could then use for the children." At the end of the visit, JAFCO presented WYHS with a certificate of appreciation acknowledging the service that WYHS provided to Jewish children in need.

The sophomore girls assisted a local organization called Boca Helping Hands-which provides meals to struggling families and helps them meet their everyday needs. The students came to understand the importance of the Helping Hands organization by actively participating in its daily functions; the tenth-grade girls worked in a food pantry and prepared packages and bags of food to be distributed throughout the community. Samantha Leff ('14) recounts that the students "greatly enjoyed helping out- seeing the organization at work gave the students a greater appreciation of the impact Helping Hands' is having on people's lives."

The junior boys enjoyed the privilege of helping a unique organization called "Habitat for Humanity." This nationwide project provides assistance to people who are unable to live in their homes for financial or various other reasons. Eleventh-graders helped construct a house for an elderly woman who had been forced to leave her home due to a mold-problem. Aaron Zimmerman ('13) explains, "Participating in the building of the house was a rewarding experience. Our participation showed that if many people collaborate on one effort, any task can be accomplished. Not only did we give back to the community, but we had fun together as a group." The juniors directly participated in the building of the house and earned a feeling of accomplishment that the boys' work would help people for years to come. Additionally, some junior boys visited The Ruth Rales Jewish Family Service and assisted in preparing packages for Jewish families at the Kosher Food Pantry located there.

The lives of many residents at The Jewish Association for Residential Care (JARC) were brightened today by the presence of WYHS junior girls. These girls learned about JARC's  mission to help developmentally challenged adults. The juniors entertained the residents by playing bingo with them. "I had a great time playing Bingo at JARC this past Wednesday" explains Eliana Feldan ('13). Additionally, four junior girls volunteered at Dress for Success, an organization committed to helping women maintain employment and locate job opportunities. Dress for Success provides underprivileged women with appropriate clothing for job interviews, thus increasing the likelihood of their finding employment.

The various projects to which the sophomore and junior classes dedicated their time heightened students' awareness of the needs of both the Jewish and non-Jewish communities. As captured in the words of Anne Frank, "how wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."