They say to fruit-bearing trees, "Why do you not make any noise?" and the trees reply, "Our fruits are sufficient advertisement."  Rabba.8  This month's recipient of the Volunteer of the Month honor, 16 year old Carly, need not make any noise as her noble deeds are present and apparent.

Modestly, she speaks about how helping others provides her with a sense of satisfaction and makes her happy.  Throughout her 9 years at Solomon Schechter, where she was influenced to think about volunteering and life in general, she was always involved in volunteering, doing mitzvahs, and helping out at a battered women's shelter.

After graduation, she continued with volunteer works.  Presently, she tutors our Hebrew School children who are in need of remediation, participates in Brian's Run, helped to raise money for scholarships for kids with leukemia, worked in a shelter during Hurricane Sandy and did office work. During Hurricane Irene, she and her father made meals for VOAD for those whose homes were destroyed.  In her Hebrew High class, she is planning to take part in a midnight run to feed the homeless.

In her Hebrew High Class, Carly mentions that the class, led by Rabbi Mark, discusses, ethics and morals and she so enjoys these sessions as they encourage her to think about things from a different perspective.

Carly credits her parents, Jackie and Lonnie, for having always encouraged her to help the less fortunate and to give tzedakah.

If you can catch your breath after reading all that Carly does, well, hang on to your kippah, because there is more.  Now a junior at Wayne Hills High School, she is a member of the field hockey team. Playing Flag Football, an NFL all girls team, is a special time, along with a weekly jazz dance class which culminates with a yearly recital.

When asked if she had a favorite subject in school, she noted that it changes every year. This year, she enjoys her English class because she has a teacher who encourages her to reflect on her thinking and her feelings rather than just giving back information that has been espoused by the teacher.

Regarding her future, Carly intends to continue with volunteer work.  Even though her adult future is far off, she is looking toward a career in sports broadcasting.  And to quote her, "I will continue to take pride in my Jewish identify so that I stay involved in Judaism."

Carly's response to "What makes you happy?" is "Helping others, satisfaction from doing things for others, spending time with my friends and family."  Eleanor Roosevelt said, "Happiness is not a goal, it is a by-product."

Is Carly not an inspiration to us all?

The reward of a mitzvah? Another mitzvah?
Adapted from Sayings of the Fathers.