Bone Soup lesson inspires students, benefits community

Grade 5 works together to prepare the Bone Soup. /Torat Yisrael

Inspired by the popular Jewish folk story, “Bone Button Borscht,” by Aubrey Davis, Cohen School students worked as a school community on Jan. 17 and helped feed people who are hungry. In this story, a tired Jewish beggar looking for food and a warm place to sleep comes across a small, poor town. The locals are not very welcoming, as they are struggling financially themselves and do not want to assist him. He promises that he can make a delicious soup out of his coat’s bone buttons. The townspeople are intrigued and are in disbelief that he can make this miracle come true. Without realizing it, they end up assisting him in making the soup by bringing him the needed ingredients while it’s being prepared. Someone brings him a pot of water while others provide the vegetables and beets. A wonderful soup is prepared and shared. They all learn  important lessons about collaboration, hachnaset orchim (welcoming guests) and that all people deserve kavod (respect) regardless of their appearance.

Recognizing the power and strength that a community working together can have, the students wanted to make their own version of  “Bone Soup.”  While honoring the mitzvah of ma’achil re’evim (feeding the hungry), the students began this important project by bringing in the ingredients. Each class was assigned a specific ingredient. Without everyone providing their items, the soup could not be prepared. Some families brought in carrots, onions and potatoes and some donated pasta, beans, canned tomatoes and zucchini.

The following Sunday, excited students, along with parent volunteers, washed and peeled vegetables and mashed beans in the temple kitchen to create a hearty Tuscan Vegetable Soup. Once the soup was cooked, the students were able to sample the delicious meal that they had created as a school community.

The  vegetable soup was donated midweek to the East Greenwich Interfaith Feeding Ministry’s “Lunch on the Hill” program located at St. Luke’s Church. The students decorated paper placemats that were donated along with the soup. These colorful placemats were put on the tables, and the recipients could look at the beautiful artwork while enjoying their hot meal.

This soup program was an integral part of our ongoing Community Mitzvah Tzedakah program, which provides meaningful hands-on opportunities for students to participate in mitzvot.  Students learn that important values are a Jewish way of life and can be achieved with kindness, determination and collaboration.

DORI ADLER is education director  at the Cohen School, Temple Torat Yisrael in East Greenwich.