Friendship Makes the World Go ‘Round

By Chava Herniter ‘23
Junior Sabrina Smokler and sophomore Giselle Weiss recently founded GOA’s Friendship Circle Club, perfectly exemplifying the value of Tikkun Olam.

The club is an offshoot of the non-profit organization Friendship Circle, which promotes awareness and understanding of those with special needs and encourages respect and empathy for those facing such challenges. 
Friendship Circle brings companionship and inclusion to disabled children and young adults through a variety of social, recreational and educational programs. Not only are those volunteering at Friendship Circle creating lasting bonds with those with disabilities, they also are helping to promote personal empowerment for people with special needs and helping them gain fundamental skills to become independent in the world.
Smokler brought this club to GOA with the hope that “people at the school will find more opportunities to volunteer, gain connections, and become more aware of children and adults who have difficulty in the world.”
Smokler has been involved in Friendship Circle from a young age and found the organization to be incredibly impactful and beneficial for the individuals it supports. 
The club is entirely student-led and directed. Together, the co-presidents lead meetings every other Wednesday and have amassed fifteen members in just a few short months, showing that much of the student body also desires to follow in the club leaders’ footsteps and play their part in making the world a better place.
Sophomore Peri Newman said, “Friendship Circle club is a good way for people to learn about kids with disabilities and see how they can adapt to life, which is what we do. I love being able to help these kids through our club.”
This past winter, the club sold donuts to fundraise for the family Hanukkah packages Friendship Circle was organizing. In the spring, they plan to host a collaborative workshop involving exciting activities with children from the Friendship Circle. The club hopes to make a big impact on the school and on the organization.
“Friendship Circle club is a great way to help an amazing organization. As a volunteer for Friendship Circle, I get to witness firsthand the significant impact they have on our community,” Weiss said. “In Friendship Circle club, we are able to raise money and awareness for this group which directly impacts the lives of so many.”
COVID-19 has made Friendship Circle’s goal especially hard, as those with disabilities have experienced a serious lack of socialization during the pandemic. GOA’s Friendship Circle club hopes to help the disabled children and young adults overcome these obstacles through awareness, volunteering, fundraising and compassion. 
The student body at Golda Och Academy is an incredibly independent driving force, intent on improving the world around them. 
Smokler said, “We are here to help people and make the world a better place.”