Got Mitzvah? Kids all over Marblehead do, and they are going to celebrating the concept of mitzvah, which loosely translates from Hebrew as “a good deed,” with a Volunteer Expo and Day of Action on Sunday at the Jewish Community Center of the North Shore. 

The event will host over 50 organizations that work on issues ranging from poverty in Third-World countries to conserving Marblehead’s natural resources and places.
But some Marblehead teens are taking a more active role in the event.

Alex Summers is coordinating two groups of student artists – one from the Acorn Gallery on State Street, and the other from Marblehead High School’s National Art Honor’s Society - that will produce a mural for Lifebridge in Salem, a center devoted to ending homelessness. 

Approached by her tutor, and Got Mitzvah? co-chair Karen Madorsky, Summers said that she was glad to put her skills (and those of her friends at both Acorn and the high school) to good use.

“I’m very excited,” said Summers.  “I love doing these things, and it feels good to paint and to do what I love to make other people enjoy it.”

Summers said that they will likely use house paint to decorate two 8-foot-by-16-foot panels to be hung at Lifebridge. While the subject of the murals is still in development – the students are sketching ideas as we speak – Summers said that some basic themes are guiding the project.

“It’s based on new beginnings,” Summers said. “I think Acorn will base it off the Spanish mural style – a lot of warm colors, more graphic pictures versus realistic [pictures], and inspirational words to make it enlightening.”

The students hope to unveil the mural on May 19, but they will travel to Lifebridge this week to share their sketches and discuss designs.

Lifebridge Case Manager Carlton Beaver, however, is already confident that the project will be a success.

“All the people here will love it,” Beaver said.  “And it’s important for kids to learn about people who have fallen on hard times. It can happen to anyone.”

But Summers’ groups won’t be the only group wielding paint brushes for a good cause.

Students in Mr. Sheridan’s wood shop class at Marblehead High School plan to spruce up the community room at the Plummer Home for Boys, in Salem.

"When kids volunteer their time for a project like this, it makes them realize 
the challenges that other people go through that you would never even think of," said Senior Sarah Accar. "It's just so important to give because what you get back is the feeling of doing something good." 

Others plan to participate in the event without leaving the JCC. Volunteers of all ages will be cooking meals for local shelters, knitting hats and making blankets for foster children, writing letters to soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, and filling Passover baskets for needy families.

“It will be a great chance for parents to bring their kids and see all the ways they can get involved and, at the same time, families will join live, hands-on action projects in several communities,” said Leigh Blander, public relations manager at the JCC.  “As a parent myself, I’m looking forward to bringing my kids to show how much is going on in the world.”

"I have never done any community service before mainly because I didn't know how to get involved," said high school senior Jessi Pevear, who will be joining the group at the Plummer Home. 

Organizers hope that Pevear and other event attendees won’t be able to say that any longer.

Got Mitzvah? 2011 will be held on Sunday, March 13, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center of the North Shore.  All ages are welcome to participate in scheduled projects or learn about volunteer opportunities among the many organizations participating at the event.  For more information, please visit www.jfns.org/gotmitzvah2011 or call 781-639-2800, ext. 243.