tends to be translated
as “charity.” But the
Hebrew word tzedakah
is more accurately
defined as justice. To
give tzedakah is to
seek justice, to try to
make the world more
fair or righteous.
product, choose the
LearningCents Bank:
SPEND, SAVE, TZEDAKAH
and the top lid will
read Tzedakah (צדקה)
In Judaism, the commandment or mitzvah to give tzedakah teaches children to
share with others in need and to play a role in the repair of the world (tikkun
olam).
Giving is a Year-Round Activity
When children get their weekly allowance, have them consistently deposit money
into the TZEDAKAH compartment. Many Jewish families also have a tradition of
giving tzedakah before Shabbat or Jewish holiday and to mark an important
occasion (e.g., birthdays, bar-bat mitzvah, wedding).
Choose a Meaningful Way to Give
Discuss your family’s giving priorities (e.g., Israel, the elderly, hunger, disaster
relief, children’s hospitals). Together, research (and even visit) meaningful
organizations that help these causes.
Children feel proud when they give their own money. Chanukah and birthdays are
a good time to help children focus on giving to others. One option is to make cash
contributions. A second option is to participate in a food or toy drive, where
children can use their TZEDAKAH money to purchase needed items and deliver
them directly.
Encourage grandparents or other family members to help children give tzedakah
by matching or adding to their tzedakah funds.
Your children may also withdraw from this compartment weekly, if they make
regular contributions to their school or synagogue.
