Being Kind

There is an official Random Acts of Kindness Day celebrated every February.  The concept has also found a home during the “season of giving,” so whether you choose to observe on the official day, (February 17, 2020) or when it works for you, we encourage you to connect these acts with B'nai B'rith.  Our organization has a long history of bringing acts of kindness to the world and initiating new ideas.  There are hundreds of ideas about what one can do to be part of this initiative, as individuals and as a group.  It can be just one thing you do, or it can become a tradition.  You can do it alone, with your family and with a B’nai B’rith group. 
 
 A new film about Fred Rogers turns a spotlight on his life teaching generations about kindness. He said, "There are many ways to ultimate success. The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind. A similar thought has been attributed to the novelist Henry James, who said,  “Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” An eight-year-old girl has written a book called “BE KIND, Silly: A Child’s Quest for a Kinder World” to combat bullying. A young man who lost his life to mental illness is remembered by his family with an organization and award in his name called Matt’s Kindness Ripples On. 
 
Kindness has its roots in the Torah, as many of the deeds of our forefathers and mothers stressed their acts of kindness for others.  Kindness is also emphasized in Perke Avot, The Ethics of the Fathers.  It tells us that the world is upheld by three things - Torah, Service and Gemilut Chassadim (Acts of Loving Kindness).  
 
At B'nai B'rith, we can say that most everything we do is because it is the right and kind thing to do.  Our founders based their mission on kindness for widows and orphans, providing for their financial needs.  We offer kindness, community and a home to senior citizens via B'nai B'rith housing.  We support the people of Israel as they deal with daily attacks against their country. We join with our fellow community members to stand up against hatred and violence against others by providing disaster funds to support projects that help the community heal. Our community service programs are daily, weekly or annual events filled with kindness. Volunteers bring breakfast to children in schools and shelters in the Greater San Fernando Valley in California. Hundreds of families receive Passover food each year to help them celebrate the holiday, recognizing that without this project, they could not provide this for themselves. We bring assistance to people who are dealing with devastation and destruction due to natural or man-made disasters.  We are on the scene when it counts, at the time of a disaster and long after it has occurred during the recovery and rebuilding stages.  
 
The kindness meter in B'nai B'rith heats up during Christmas, when volunteers make sure that workers or volunteers who want to be home with their families can do so because a B'nai B'rith volunteer is stepping in for them that day.  It has also become a time to thank community workers serving in VA hospitals and the veterans who are receiving care in these facilities. We bring teddy bears to children who need a loveable hug to help them face difficult situations. Volunteers collect and deliver books, clothing and household goods in their communities and support food banks and schools with the donations. 
 
Do we need a day to remind us to be kind?  Looking at the wide assortment of service events in the B'nai B'rith community, we can say that we remind ourselves of this every day of the year.  But sometimes, it is nice to point out something we take for granted. This year at the B'nai B'rith Leadership Forum, International President Charles Kaufman instituted a President's Award for individuals who went above and beyond in their efforts to provide leadership and service. Of the thirty awards presented, more than half were for volunteers who make community service programming a reality.  
 
Kindness Day can be a time for those who may have been thinking about getting involved to help make something happen in their community. Lodges and units can support these efforts by providing the link individuals are looking for something meaningful to do and funding for the project. 
 
So yes, we need to remind ourselves and others that B'nai B'rith has kindness at its core.  It confirms that kindness is the way to ultimate success and doing something important.  Come get started and be kind with us.  

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Rhonda Love is the Vice President of Programming for B'nai B'rith International. She is Director of the Center of Community Action and Center of Jewish Identity. She served as the Program Director of the former District One of B'nai B'rith. In 2002 she received recognition by B'nai B'rith with the Julius Bisno Professional Excellence Award. Rhonda has served on the B'nai B'rith International staff for 41 years. To view some of her additional content, click here.

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