The B’nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy Program encourages teens to become involved in tzedakah by establishing a fund for Jewish charitable giving. The program also aims to help teens explore what Jewish values are important to them for positively impacting the world.
Tidewater Jewish Foundation hosted a B’nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy Program event at the Sandler Family Campus on Sunday, Jan. 29. Teens from area congregations and schools, as well as Tidewater’s Shinishim, Aya Sever and Alma Ben Chorin, participated in the afternoon event.
“We met with teens in the community to talk about making a change and the legacy we leave behind,” says Sever.
After reading a short story and discussing how making an impact on a person can change their entire world, the Shinshinim encouraged the teens to think about their desire to be role models and impact the people around them. The group held a very interesting conversation about the importance of leaving a mark and what makes people influential.
Jewish Tidewater’s teens are engaged in their school communities making a difference, and that was evident during the conversations.
The teens also participated in an activity to visualize their aspirations and creatively express their feelings and thoughts about what they want their legacy to look like—as well as what they must do today to achieve those future goals.
During the program, the group shared the Jewish values and texts that demonstrate their impact is rooted in Jewish faith traditions.
Opening a B’nai Tzedek fund offers teens an opportunity to play a part in improving the community and the world. It’s easy to begin the process. A donation of at least $250 to the Tidewater Jewish Foundation establishes a fund in a teen’s name. TJF will match the gift with another $250 for a starting fund balance of $500. Teens can learn about the needs of the Jewish community—locally, in Israel, and around the world. Each year, fund holders, these teens, can grant 4% of their fund to a Jewish charity of their choice.
In essence, parents are empowering their kids to take ownership of their own philanthropy—a valuable life-lesson to instill.
Naomi Limor Sedek, is president and CEO of Tidewater Jewish Foundation.