June, 2010 -- Each year, Tehiyah Day School’s seventh-grade students take part in an important, and hopefully lifelong, lesson about the importance of philanthropy and charity in a more tangible way than in any of their previous school experiences. Throughout the year, through study and action, the seventh-graders learn about the importance of Tz’dakah, one of the key tenets of Judaism, which translates as charity or acts of righteousness. This hands-on program is the culmination of many years of classroom discussions of the importance of philanthropy and charity in Jewish values and culture.

 

The seventh-grade program was initiated by parents several years ago to reinforce the importance and the value of giving and sharing. Seventh grade families each donate a relatively small amount of money into an account that serves as the seed money for the student project. That seed money is supplemented by money the seventh-graders raise themselves through a variety of fundraisers. 

 

Students are divided into small groups based on issues about which they are passionate. These groups become "mini-foundations”. Students attend a workshop to learn about creating a foundation name, a mission statement, team building, establishing consensus, and understanding how financial support is only one way to support an organization. Each mini-foundation is allocated a set amount of the money raised and this money becomes their mini-foundation’s budget. Hopefully, students are also moved by this process to donate their own money.

 

Each mini-foundation reviews nonprofits working on their issue and makes decisions about whether or not to donate to that foundation. Students identify and research local, national and international nonprofits, and evaluate and compare their missions, business statements and activities. Occasionally, organizations are invited to attend a meeting with the mini-foundation to present information about their goals and their work. If a decision is made that a grantee is worthy of a donation, the students must decide how much of their budget to allocate.

 

On Friday, June 4, at 8:40 a.m., the seventh-grade students will present the results of their year-long work to their fellow middle school students, teachers and parents. They will provide information about the issues, the mini-foundation grants, and the recipients, enlarging everyone’s knowledge and awareness of important issues and the worthy organizations working towards solutions.

 

The value of giving is such an integral part of a Tehiyah Day School education, that a number of Tehiyah alumni are being honored later this month by the East Bay Jewish Community Teen Foundation of the Jewish Federation as Emerging Philanthropists.

 

For more information about this program or Tehiyah Day School, call our admissions director at 233-3013 ext. 239, or email autstein@tehiyah.org.