In order for anyone to succeed in an assignment regarding a new institution or system, the person needs to involve him/herself with resources such as other peers and staff. Before we began even discussing the community service project as a team, already such resources zoomed into my mind to reach for guidance to tackle this assignment. During the weeks of discussion between the members of my group, I would reach out to other Baruch Honor students, relatives, friends, and even members of student clubs among Baruch. All these people helped me think about the seriousness of giving back and volunteering with non-profit organizations in our communities. I have utilized support centers such as the Baruch Honors advisor’s offices, like popping into Mr. Medina’s office to discuss issues with group volunteering and deciding factors on a specific program. Other clubs/organizations I have went to in order to get some advice were the Hillel at Baruch and Chabad, which have Rabbis who visit Baruch weekly to discuss how I should confront my group with religious ideas that contradict with some volunteer programs. For example, in my opinion, when one has the opportunity to help out in an organization that is involved with abused animals or another organization that helps humans; the person should volunteer at the organization that reaches out to our brothers and sisters, or actual humans. Through a Jewish perspective, a human’s value is much higher than a dog.

These pieces of advice that I have gotten from a wide range of people, has helped me look at our society in a different perspective. The fact that I see litter on the subway’s platform as a 30 cent loss from taxpayer’s money is a big deal because through the education I have received while researching litter, I have been impacted to want to act. This tiny detail that influences me to think has gone into the public realm also. Now before I say anything, I think twice because what I say can be understood as a saying that is agreed upon all Jews or even all Baruch Honors students! I am a representative of my generation, I want to succeed and these little building blocks created from this project eventually form who I will be after (<G-d willing>) 4 years at Baruch.