Written by Uriel Vahdey

As summer approaches, people might think this is a time to relax and be unproductive, but in reality, Jews must learn and daven every single day, whether it’s a holiday or break from school. The Rabbis in Valley Torah decided to set up a new program that incentivizes learning and davening for every student. This initiative is called the Valley Torah High School Avodas Hashem of 5785. Students who apply for the program are encouraged to earn points throughout the summer to be eligible for weekly and monthly raffles with an assortment of prizes. To earn points, students must fill out a form with their status of praying Shacharit, Mincha, and Arvit every single day. For Shacharit, you can earn 2 points for davening and 1 point each for if you davened with tefillin, a minyan, and before the Zman. For Mincha and Arvit, you can earn 1 point if you davened and another point if you were with a Minyan. For Torah learning each day, you get more points depending on how much you learned and what type of learning you did. Watching the daily videos of Torah Anytime and Vayimaen also earns you points. On Shabbat, points can be earned through starting a Torah discussion at the meal or saying a dvar Torah on the weekly parasha. Each submission of the day must be filled out by midnight in order to be eligible for your points. This program is designed to keep students engaged in serving Hashem and growing in their spiritual level.