Shabbat Blessings: Volunteering at Baycrest

Shabbat Blessings: Volunteering at Baycrest

By Ava Singer, and Kathryn Moore Collins

One of the most meaningful volunteer opportunities I have ever participated in at Holy Blossom Temple these past few years has been the time I have spent with the volunteers from our congregation and the residents of Baycrest during our monthly Shabbat visits.

The most rewarding moments are watching the relationships between the volunteers and the residents grow as we look forward to catching up each month.

Ava, one of our volunteers provides this insight.

Volunteering at Baycrest has been an incredibly rewarding experience. My time with the residents has centred around playing various board games like Scrabble while chatting. After a few tough losses, I learned to never doubt their Scrabble skills! Before starting, I knew the involvement would be fulfilling. Still, I didn’t expect to form such deep and meaningful connections with the residents, from hearing their life stories to being offered valuable guidance in my own life. One of the highlights of my experience was getting to know a particular resident with whom I had many conversations. On one visit, she surprised me with a beautiful clay artwork that she had made herself. It was a touching gesture that not only demonstrated her talent but also revealed the warm and meaningful connections that can be formed through volunteering. Now, I am working on a painting to surprise her with at our final session of the year! I have genuinely enjoyed my time at Baycrest and I cannot wait to return in the fall.

Please consider joining us on Shabbat afternoons once a month and if you want more information please reach out to Rabbi Eliza McCarroll at [email protected].