Levi Rose, Congregation B’nai Amoona 

In the Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School newsletter, Levi, son of Rabbi Carnie and Paulie Rose of Creve Coeur, wrote: “Every time I volunteer at the food pantry, I leave feeling that I’ve done something important. So when it came time to decide on a mitzvah project for my bar mitzvah, I wanted it to focus on feeding the hungry. I’m planning something that is really exciting for me, and hopefully, for you, too.”  

His mother explained that the fact there are people in our community who do not have enough to eat is very bothersome to Levi. “He wanted to do what he could to help,” said Paulie. 

Every Purim the SMJCS Vaad Chesed (student council) plans a big celebration. During that time Levi organized the entire student body to carry out his project. “I’m bringing all the ingredients to make soup, and every Mirowitz student can walk through the assembly line and make a container of soup mix,” he said. “I’ll deliver the containers to the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry, and they will give them to theirs clients. I like the fact that everyone can be a part of this, that I can give everyone the opportunity to fulfill one of the mitzvoth of Purim – giving food to the hungry, and that will be pretty fun!”   

The students packed 200 bags of soup. Matanot L’evyonim — gifts for the needy, is a Mitzvah on Purim and by packing these bags of soup for the needy, Levi and his schoolmates fulfilled this mitzvah. Levi said that he liked the fact that everyone could be a part of his project and that he could give everyone the opportunity to fulfill one the Purim mitzvot.  

Cheryl Maayan, Head of SMJCS, said, “Levi’s mitzvah project reflected genuine leadership. He could have just created soup mixes at his home, with his family. Instead, he gave the entire school the opportunity to do tzedakah and participate in his project. Levi added to the richness of our Mirowitz Purim experience. 

 “We are overjoyed when our students become passionate about a project that engages their peers and teachers. Levi’s tzedakah project became an energizing, motivation moment of leadership for the entire Mirowitz school community. And, it made the school smell delicious.”  

Another manner in which Levi fulfilled the mitzvah of Matanot L’evyonim was Mitzvah Meals. Created by his brother Zakai, and friends Louis Taxman and Andrew Korenblat, Levi partnered with Sadie Taxman, sister of Louis, and Jamie Korenblat, cousin of Andrew.   

During the B’nai Amoona Purim carnival, a station was set up requesting attendees to donate to the cause. Grocery gift cards were purchased with the $2,500 that was collected. Rabbi Rose, in turn, gives them to those in need as many families are uncomfortable going to a more public venue to secure food. Levi and friends felt compelled to assist them and others in the Jewish community by raising money to purchase grocery gift cards just in time for Passover.