2017-2018 Bergen County Mitzvah Clowning

A new and improved Mitzvah Clown Program is coming to Bergen County!  Join over 525 people who have already become Mitzvah Clowns, in an effort to bring joy, laughter and smiles to those in need of them.  This unique intergenerational program is geared for students 6^th grade and up, including teens and adults to learn about the mitzvah of Kavod HaBriyot (human dignity) and Bikkur Cholim (visiting the sick) while at the same time teaching them Mitzvah Clowning skills to enhance their friendly visits.  Participants in the program will learn how to interact with senior citizens, children with special needs and others in need of healing and a friendly visit.  The program will include a training session and each participant will receive a clown kit, costume, balloons and balloon pump that will be theirs to keep.

At the initial session the participants will learn how to apply clown make-up, create balloon animals and undergo role play exercises to better prepare them for their friendly visit.  After the initial session, these newest Mitzvah Clowns will put into action what they learn by visiting seniors.  Each month, following the initial training and friendly visit, the Mitzvah Clowns will go on site visits to local senior centers and other facilities.

Throughout the year there will be additional training sessions on magic, creating balloon animals and puppetry.

The onetime cost to participate in this program is $250.  This fee includes a clown kit, clown costume, supplies for the site visits, participation and supplies for all the training sessions.  Sponsorship opportunities are available and are tax deductible.  All sponsors will receive letters for tax purposes.

Click here for a flyer.

Registration is required.

Information for Initial Training

Date: Sunday, October 29^th

Time: 8:30am – 12:00pm

Training & Site Visit Location: CareOne Teaneck, 544 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666

Tentative Site Visit Schedule:

• October 29- initial training- participants must attend this session to participate in the program- 8:00 AM-12:00 PM
• November 26- 4:00-5:00 PM at Bright Side Manor
• December 13- 5:30-6:30 at Yeshivat He’Atid with the Friendship Circle
• January 28- 4:00-5:00 PM at Bright Side Manor
• February 11- 10:30-1:00 at RYNJ, from 10:30 to noon we will have a magic and balloon workshop with Morley the Magician and from noon to 1:00 we will be visiting with the Friendship Circle
• March  1- 2:00-3:00 PM at CareOne Teaneck
• April 15- 10:00-11:00 AM at Jewish Home at Rockleigh in conjunction with National Mitzvah Day
• April 27- 4:00-5:00 PM at CareOne Teaneck
• June 3- 2018 Celebrate Israel Parade- 10-30-12:30

Please note: The dates listed above are only tentative.

Areyvut would like to acknowledge and thank CareOne for their partnership, help and support.

No refunds will be given after the initial training.

By participating in this program you give permission to Areyvut to post pictures of the Mitzvah Clown Program on the Areyvut website and to use pictures of you Mitzvah Clowning for PR purposes.

For more information about this program or any other Areyvut Mitzvah Clown program, please contact an Areyvut representative at (201) 244-6702 or [email protected].