The interfaith holiday card-making activity within both the First Priority Christian Club and the Jewish Heritage Club brought much joy to the lives of elderly individuals. Students in both clubs let their light shine this holiday season, as they wrote cards to the senior citizens of Five Star Assisted and Independent Living Center of Hollywood. 

I had created this activity as a way of promoting a bond between the two communities of faith while giving back to those who came before us. Welcoming both communities of faith, students worked together to write both Christmas and Hanukkah cards. Christmas and the first night of Hanukkah coincided on the same date which made it even more memorable. I also invited children from my local Catholic parish and Jewish Temple to write personalized holiday cards. 

In total, there were over 850 cards. In addition to handing out the cards at the center’s holiday party, my younger sister, Estella, and I handed out candy canes, dreidels, and entertained the seniors with holiday songs. The remaining cards filled over 400 residential mailboxes and were also distributed at a local memory care facility.

 A special thanks goes out to Mr. Hibbs, sponsor of the First Priority Club, for all of his support in the gathering of students for this new holiday tradition in the upper school. His classroom was where the holiday card drop-off box was located with stationery to fill out.

“It was interesting to see everyone cross-pollinating interests and come together for a common cause,” stated Mr. Hibbs. 

In addition, Ms. Rashbaum, Dean of Student Life, played an integral role in coordinating with the Jewish Heritage Club. 

“I think it’s always a great thing for students to give back to the community. The act of giving really can make a difference, not only for the person receiving the card but for the person writing it,” Ms. Rashbaum said. 

This activity was a bridge between two communities of faith and a bond between multiple generations.