Winter Park, FL — On Sunday, May 17, 2026, 7th-grade students from the Shevet Agam Chapter of Israeli Scouts volunteered at Jewish Family Services of Greater Orlando’s Pearlman Food Pantry as part of their Bar/Bat Mitzvah Year Program, an experience designed to cultivate leadership, responsibility, and meaningful community engagement.
The Bar and Bat Mitzvah Year Program guides students through a series of missions centered around the different circles of their lives—from their immediate family and close friends to their schools and the broader community. The goal is to encourage students to take personal responsibility, recognize their ability to positively influence others, and develop into leaders within both their personal lives and the communities around them.
“We are incredibly grateful to JFS Orlando for the vital support they provide to our Central Florida community, and we appreciate their giving the teens of Shevet Agam this meaningful opportunity to contribute and make a difference,” said Dikla Meitis, Head of Shevet Agam.
During their afternoon at the pantry, the students cleaned, sorted donated food items, and assembled pantry “sets”—bags containing essential ingredients for meal preparation, including vegetables, grains, proteins, and other household staples. These carefully packed sets help ensure that pantry clients have access to balanced, practical ingredients for preparing healthy meals at home.
Their efforts directly supported the mission of the Pearlman Food Pantry, one of Central Florida’s most vital community resources for individuals and families facing food insecurity. Operated by JFS Orlando, the pantry serves hundreds of families each month and remains one of the organization’s cornerstone programs.
As food insecurity continues to affect more families throughout the region, volunteer support remains essential to sustaining the pantry’s operations. Partnerships with organizations like Shevet Agam not only provide valuable hands-on help but also build stronger community connections and inspire the next generation of compassionate leaders.
This visit served as a powerful reminder that service and leadership begin early—and that even a single afternoon of giving back can create lasting impact for both those who serve and those being served.
“Seeing these students step into the pantry with such enthusiasm and purpose was incredibly meaningful,” said Noreen Levitt, Director of Development at JFS Orlando, who hosted the group. “Their commitment to service reflects the very best of Jewish values—compassion, responsibility, and community. They came ready to work, eager to help, and truly made an impact on the families we serve every day. It was inspiring to watch these young leaders put tikkun olam—repairing the world—into action.”
If you need food assistance, please call (407) 644-7593 or visit JFSorlando.org. If you would like to support JFS Orlando and its FAMILY of Services, please ask for Noreen Levitt, Director of Development.
