Acts of Kindness Spiritual Challenge

Every year, as the High Holy Days approach, we have the opportunity to reflect on how we have showed up in this world, especially in our relationships. How have I treated others? Did I show up for my neighbor when they really needed me? Did I pause and take time to think about how I may have hurt someone’s feelings?

The past few months have brought so much distancing and isolation, making it even more important to invest in our relationships with kindness and spread that kindness to all human beings. Below is a list of kind acts you can do pretty easily. We encourage you to take the spiritual challenge and do as many as you can over the next month!

We also invite you to document and share with us acts of kindness you have done! Please email Makai Dorfman with a picture and description of what you have done, or post to social media with the hashtag #KindnessChallenge. And never forget to ask yourself how you would like to show up for others this coming year! Hag Sameah!

• Make eye contact and smize (smile with your eyes) with people you pass on the street.
• Make a phone call to a friend you haven’t spoken with for a while.
• Compliment someone’s character or personality.
• Offer to pay for and send someone a meal.
• Paint a rock and leave it somewhere outside where people will see it and smile.
• Arrange a movie watch party online with someone you care about.
• Send an interesting article to a friend.
• Reach out to call a friend, family member, or neighbor who is experiencing loneliness or self-isolation.
• Give praise to a colleague who has done something well.
• Offer to teach a skill virtually to those in your community.
• Send an inspirational quote of Torah to someone you know.
• Tell a family member how much you love or appreciate them.
• Make a self-made gift or art project and send it to someone for no other reason than love.
• Write a Happy New Year card and mail it to someone.