[Editor’s note; the following is a condensed version of  Amy Leiberman’s essay submission  to Bnai Brith’s essay competition this past last  June.]

From a young age, I understood the importance of volunteering, and helping  others.  Their appreciation is what allows me to enjoy and desire to continue volunteering.

Over the past two years I have dedicated many hours to volunteering. In the summer of 2008, I volunteered at the Israel Pavilion during Folklorama by helping to set up and clean up tables in between shows. The following summer in 2009 I was chosen to be the Female Youth Ambassador at the Israel Pavilion during Folklorama. This opportunity allowed me to share my love of Israel and the Israeli culture.       

Throughout my grade twelve year at gray Academy, I volunteered   to  set up and run children’s activities  for the Rady Jewish Community Center’s Chanukah carnival and for the Jewish Child and Family Services’ Purim Carnival. 

 At school this year my grade chose to run a blood drive and I helped out by educating people about giving blood, as well as handing out booklets about the process of giving blood. I currently volunteer for two hours weekly at the Humane Society with stray and unwanted cats. I am a “cat cuddler” and this gives me the opportunity to play with the cats, and give them the attention they need. 

 I enjoy giving back to the community, and my volunteer work has evolved as I get older. My final year of high school has been very busy, but it would not feel complete without volunteering. Even when I was younger I would volunteer occasionally because it made me feel like I had accomplished something by helping others and would bring me joy.

 I also try to volunteer in as many different areas as possible-in the Jewish community, the general community, with people, and with animals.  This variation enables me to gain experience in many different areas.

 My commitment to the Israel Pavilion and Folklorama, where I have volunteered since I was in elementary school, keeps getting bigger and I know that I will continue to volunteer for the Israel Pavilion in the future.

I  have decided to commit to volunteering at the Humane Society once a week because I love animals. The cats at the  Humane Society   are extremely  playful.  I always looking forward to Thursdays because after school I get to take care of the stray cats. When I volunteer at the Humane Society, all the stress I have about school and homework does not exist because I am so focused on the cats that it feels like nothing else matters during those two hours. There are new cats every week and each cat I visit with allows me to remember why I love helping out and volunteering.

It  does not matter to me if I volunteer for a short amount of time, or many hours. When I volunteer I am being trusted to complete something, and I always want to perform as best as I can because this shows a sense of accomplishment and dedication to the organization I am giving my time to. 

 I know that throughout my life I will continue to volunteer because if I can make a difference in someone’s life, then I will immediately step forward and give my time.  It is important to put others first especially when they are in need.. I know that if I was in need I would want someone to give their time to help me, and this allows me to understand why I should give my time to help others. 

 The commitment I have towards volunteering will stay with me for the rest of my life. As people grow older, their goals and everyday lives change, but there is always room for volunteering in ones life. 

Amy Lieberman is the daughter of  Robyn and Jeff Lieberman.