Teacher Alexis Levy (back) with her students (left to right): Brandon, Ryan, Lily, Bianca, Brady, Jared, and Jacob.

When Alexis Levy of West Hartford selected “Tza’ar Ba’alei Chayim” – the commandment to be kind to animals – as the focus of this year’s mitzvah project for her class of fourth graders at Toratenu, the religious school of B’nai Tikvoh Sholom in Bloomfield, students followed her lead…and ran with it. To date, the students have raised more than $100 — plus an assortment of new toys, leashes, collars and blankets — to donate to the Connecticut Humane Society. The class plans to visit the Society later this spring to present a check and tour the facility.
“I couldn’t be more proud of these kids. I have taught them for two years and have seen their hard work and determination and had no doubt that they would be able to complete this mitzvah project,” said Bernie Rosenblum, a Toratenu teacher. “They truly care about the animals and want to help in any way they can, which makes them such a great group of dedicated students.”
As for the students…they remained focused on their cause. “Collecting tzedakah for an animal that is a stray or has been injured has been important to me,” said Toratenu student Ryan Howe. “That’s a great thing to do.”