The maximum mitzvah—families to blanket Marin

A director of a Jewish religious school will cancel classes so that her students can attend Congregation Rodef Sholom's fourth annual Mitzvah Day Sunday in Marin County.

Chani Oppenheim, director of education at the San Rafael religious school, wants her students to participate in one of the day's 55 volunteer activities with their parents.

Mitzvot, she believes are not simply commandments that youngsters should learn about. Instead, it's best to get hands-on experience, particularly by doing mitzvot with their entire family.

"It's an intergenerational activity in which parents are putting their words into action," Oppenheim said. "By participating in Mitzvah Day, we bring the values of tzedakah and doing mitzvot to life."

Moreover, Oppenheim added, Mitzvah Day can be an eye-opening experience for her students.

"Jewish kids in Marin county have never been in a homeless shelter; it's a reality that these children are sheltered from," she said. "After the parents and kids go to the shelter, they can talk about it over the dinner table. It can ignite a whole discussion on tzedakah, the Jewish mitzvah to help others."

More than 900 people, all members of Congregation Rodef Sholom will be participating.

They'll be holding an all-day blood drive, crafting holiday cards for homebound senior citizens, and working at food banks -- among other things.

Last year, close to 900 members participated in the event, a fact which helped Rodef Sholom win the Fein Award, an accolade given to a top social-action project. The award was presented by the Commission on Social Action of Reform Judaism in Washington, D.C.

Rodef Sholom was one of the first congregations in the country to sponsor this type of event. This year's Mitzvah Day is expected to involve more people than ever before, giving them a chance to get involved in community projects -- and learn about the process of giving itself.

"People in our congregation may not always know how to reach out to others in our community," said Jan Luxenberg, event co-chair with Rhoda Daniels and Joan Gosliner. "Mitzvah Day gives them a chance to see where help is needed and decide how they want to help."

Other projects Sunday will include the beautification of National Parks and trails, and participating in a Halloween party for abused children.

Other congregants, instead of donning creepy costumes, will dress up in old clothes. Rolling up their sleeves, they'll paint homeless shelters and homes owned by the elderly and severely handicapped.

One of the more ambitious activities planned for the day is the installation of a $15,000 jungle-swing apparatus for tots and the construction of a handball court at the Bahia Vista School in San Rafael. Dick Derby, the school's principal, said the congregants will learn how to lay out pipes, concrete, chains and wood, all under the supervision of a licensed contractor.

Unfortunately, that project may be postponed due to red tape from Sacramento. If so, Derby said he'll put off the construction until November, when he'll need help again.

On a brighter note, Rodef Shalom will have the services of Mitzvah Day mascot Solomon the Stegosaurus on Sunday.

"I'm very proud to be the mascot of such an incredible event, a day of willing hands, generous spirits and loving hearts reaching out to improve our community," said Solomon's alter ago Moji Javid, Rodef Sholom program director.

"[This gives] us a chance to make a difference in Marin."