Ahavas Yisroel Project

Since we're now heading into the Nine Days, I thought I'd suggest the following family project.

AHAVAS YISROEL PROJECT

Objective: How many chessed projects can you do through Tisha B'Av?

Prize: If your kids make the target, offer a family-oriented prize for after Tisha B'Av, such as a trip to the ice cream shop, an outing they really want, etc. (Target 5 or 10, depending on family size and your children's ages.)

Print or draw a chart with blocks to fill in about each project. If your kids are old enough, let them fill in the project details after they're done. Here's a list of possible projects:

The "Ahavas Yisroel" lemonade stand - pick the hottest day of the week and offer free lemonade or iced tea to passersby OR sell lemonade and collect proceeds to a Jewish charity. If anyone wants to team up with us, the Klempner residence is a PRIME lemonade stand location. Last time we ran a lemonade stand, we actually got more business than we could handle.

Phone someone who lives alone. - This does not count calls already part of your routine like if you already phone your grandma before Shabbos.

Buy a postcard on a outing and send it to someone who lives alone. - Let the kids write it out and put on the stamp!

Ask a new friend over to play who is shy, new to town, or doesn't have many friends. - Plan activities in advance that would make the child more comfortable.

Share your challah - Bake enough challah this week to make extra small rolls to share with neighbors and friends.

Get well card. - Send a get-well card (and maybe tissue paper flowers!) to a friend who needs a refua shleima.

Tehillim group - Organize or attend a tehillim group. Prepare a list of people to daven for ahead of time.

Shabbos guest - Let your children pick someone to invite for Shabbos and then prepare a food the person especially likes.

Add more project ideas below, or comment with your family's "Ahavas Yisroel" moment.