Student Council’s New Initiatives Inspire Presence, Unity, and Growth

Jewish Culture High School’s Student Council is excited to announce the new initiatives and events that have been introduced to the school this past month! We are hyped for these changes and know they will change our culture for the better. 

To start off the month of November, the “Be Present" initiative was introduced to the student body by faculty and staff- but Student Council gave this movement a whole new rebrand. They didn’t want students to feel trapped with a “no phone” rule and wanted to clarify what being present actually means: having your mind, body, and senses all in control and at attention.​​ This means truly taking in moments happening around us. But how can this happen when phones and other devices are there as a distraction? 

Have you ever been with friends and suddenly realized you’ve been disengaged from the conversation because you were distracted on your phone? This is what Student Council wanted to prevent and change — the goal was for all students to be able to create and share moments with each other that are genuine and memorable. 

To kickstart the makeover, Student Council gave out donuts to the student body, advertising the slogan “DONUT miss out on the present!” Rachel Imenu’s yahrzeit enhanced the “be present” experience significantly. On a person’s yahrtzeit, it is customary to make a bracha or do a mitzvah in their name. Students made sure to say a bracha on the donut in honor of Rachel’s neshama. It created a beautiful moment within the student body, with everyone enjoying their treats while remembering to be present and keeping Rachel Imeinu in mind. We were united not just as students but as Jewish people who chose to be in the moment and come together to say a bracha. Student Council was thrilled to see such positive results and look forward to planning even more new activities. 

Along with the “Be Present” initiative, Student Council planned and introduced a new event: The Student Shuk! One day a week students will have the opportunity to set up a “shop” of their choice in a mini Shuk-style display. The rest of the student body, along with the staff, will be able to shop at the “Shuk” at any station of their choice. The students are already so excited about this new initiative and have been planning all sorts of shop ideas ranging from Israeli food to handmade jewelry. This is a huge opportunity for the students who want to start selling within the school but don't know where to start or for students who want to challenge themselves by growing the businesses they already have. The Student Shuk is not only a fun activity for JCHS students but also teaches responsibility and entrepreneurial skills.

While Student Council has worked tirelessly to create an awesome experience for our student body over the past month, exciting plans are already underway for the month ahead. 

One of the many new initiatives that will be coming is the “One Penny is Plenty” movement.   Tzedakah boxes will be placed around the school and students will be encouraged to give whatever they can, knowing each month the money will be going to a different cause. Student Council will ensure that everyone knows that no matter how “little” you give, even just a penny, we can make a huge difference when we come together. This builds upon JCHS’s  core values of unity and culture. When not only our school unites, but the Jewish people unite, we build a culture of givers, filled with support and love, creating bigger and better things together. 

The members of Student Council pride themselves on bringing out the core values at JCHS, love hearing the constant positive feedback from the student body, and can’t wait to continue creating more for our school community!

By Mimi Nahon