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Sep 16 2026 Feeding the Hungry

Categories:
Character Building, Grandparent, Jewish Values
Ages:
5-9

Situation: Helping a Hungry Family​​

You are walking into a restaurant with your parent or grandparent and you see a woman and child standing outside. They say, “Excuse me, we’re hungry — can you help us?”

Jewish Wisdom: Ha’achalat Re’evim, האכלת רעבים, Feeding the Hungry

If there is a needy person among you …. open your hand and lend whatever is sufficient to meet the need … (Deuteronomy 15:7–8)

One who is generous is blessed for giving bread to those in need. (Proverbs 22:9)

Share your bread with the hungry … and offer your compassion to the hungry … and satisfy the famished person … (Isaiah 58:7–10)

Building Skills and Character: Perspective-Taking and Empathy

Standing in someone’s shoes:
  1. How would you feel if someone asked you for help outside a restaurant?
  2. Now, how do you think the woman and child might feel?

Talk about it. 

Grandparent:
Discuss with your grandchild a time when they needed help. Consider asking:

  • Was it easy or hard to ask for help? Why?
  • How did you feel while you were waiting for a response?
  • How did you feel after you got help?

Grandchild:
Ask your grandparent to share a time they needed help and what happened.

Grandparent and grandchild:
What was similar about your experiences? What was different? Did anything surprise you?

Together decide what the “mensch move” is for the opening situation. Use the texts to support your decision.

Grandparent Note: This activity is an opportunity to talk about showing compassion while also staying safe. Discuss ways children can help by talking with a trusted adult rather than acting on their own. 

Nancy Parkes, EdD, is an educator, consultant, and expert in social, emotional, and spiritual learning who helps educators integrate these essential competencies into teaching, learning, and community life. 

Photograph courtesy of Pexels