Kehillah Fund is pleased to announce the successful completion of the Eighth Grade Hakaras Hatov Project, an initiative powered by Women of Kehillah that invites graduating eighth grade students from the Chicagoland area to reflect on the people and values that have shaped their educational journey. Developed as a meaningful culminating experience to the K–8 years, the project encourages students to express gratitude to Hashem, their schools, teachers, parents, and the many individuals who have supported their growth.
As part of the program’s educational component, teachers guided students through discussions on the Torah value of hakaras hatov, exploring how gratitude forms the foundation of character and community. Students then participated in an artistic workshop facilitated by Women of Kehillah, creating original fabric pieces that were later assembled into beautiful multimedia installations titled Threads of Thanks. The collective artwork, displayed in each participating school, showcases students’ creativity and serves as a visual representation of their heartfelt appreciation.
Educators shared how meaningful the experience was for their students and school communities. Mrs. Kreina Staal of Cheder Lubavitch Hebrew Day School reflected, “Yasher koach for another meaningful project by Women of Kehillah that enhances our children’s education.” At JDBY, Mrs. Bella Kaufman noted, “Thank you for giving our girls a beautiful experience. It felt wholesome and creative, and they felt good about what they did.”
The project reflects the core mission of the Kehillah Fund: placing Torah values at the center of Jewish education, celebrating and supporting educators, and strengthening the broader community.
Robin Loeb, Senior Director of Community Engagement at Kehillah Fund, emphasized the initiative’s purpose: “The goal of the project was to facilitate a creative opportunity for students to express themselves at this inflection point in their educational journey. Our hope was for it to be meaningful for students and for the people to whom the messages were directed.
To learn more about the impact of Kehillah Fund, explore the Annual Report, or discover opportunities to support Jewish day school education, please visit www.kehillahfund.org.
