Acts of Kindness with The Kindness Club: Chloe on the Bright Side

Treating others with kindness (gemilut chasadim) is an important Jewish value, and it is also what The Kindness Club: Chloe on the Bright Side is all about. Chloe Silver may be new to the 5th grade, but right away she connects with her science partners Lucy and Theo. They decide to focus their class project on the effects of kindness by starting a club that performs acts of chesed (kindness) around their school and community. And when Chloe is invited to join the popular kids, she learns meaningful lessons about what it means to be truly kind, even when it is not so easy.

Check out this video by Courtney Sheinmel, author of The Kindness Club: Chloe on the Bright Side.

There are many ways you can spread kindness in your community!

Sharing what you have with others in need is a powerful act of kindness. A gemach, or community sharing and recycling program, is a great way to start! Gemachs began as a way for Jewish people to loan money to one another, but now there are gemachs for almost anything, including sports equipment; b’nai mitzvah outfits; and even toys, books, and puzzles. Many communities have Little Free Libraries on street corners, where you can leave books you have finished reading and select new ones.
 
If you would like to start your own gemach, all you need is an idea and a place where people can exchange items. Talk with your friends: What do they have to share, and what do they need? Your parents or teachers can help you find a good space. Decorate some signs and spread the word. Soon enough, you will have created a corner of kindness in your community!

Spread messages of kindness, inspiration, and inclusion with kindness rocks! Find small rocks outside, clean them, and use paint pens or permanent markers to write positive messages on them. Place the rocks around your neighborhood to spread kindness to those around you.

Write inspirational messages, draw pictures, or draw a game on your sidewalk to spread kindness and cheer to your neighbors.

Simple acts of helping others will also spread kindness. Pick up trash in your neighborhood, help your parent with chores, or donate toys or clothes that you no longer use. Small acts of kindness like these go a long way to help others!
 
Comment below to share how you spread kindness in your community.