Our 7th Grade B'nai Mitzvah Gift - An Explanation

Shalom L’Kulam!

Kitah Zayin will spend the year deeply examining the Jewish value of tzedakah.  As a class, we will answer critical questions about the act of giving.  What sets tzedakah apart from everyday acts of charity? Why do we give?  How do we choose where to give? How do we become more thoughtful and intentional tzedakah-givers?

As the culmination of our tzedakah unit, the class will choose to make a Bar/Bat Mitzvah class donation to a charity that we choose as a class.  

In addition to the money that the kids are raising in class, we are offering an additional and optional tzedakah project for your families.  If you would like to take part, instead of giving individual Bar/Bat Mitzvah gifts to each class member, the class will give a gift from all the 7th grade families to our chosen charity which we will be deciding in the Spring.

Please give according to how much you are comfortable.  Tzedakah and giving is a very personal act and one that should be made with the heart and with joy.  I strongly encourage you to include your 7th graders when deciding how much to give. The giving will be confidential.

Here is how it will work:

1) Please send in a check made out to Oseh Shalom.

2) Every time your student attends a classmate's Bar or Bat Mitzvah, please have your student create a special card for that classmate that states that "a gift  as been given in honor of your Bar/Bat Mitzvah to the 7th grade Bar/Bat Mitzvah gift."

As part of this program, and to close out our Tzedakah unit, your kids will be making/decorating Tzedakah boxes in class.  The intent of this box is that it be used at your child's Bar/Bat Mitzvah as a way for the kids to collect money at their Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.  The money collected can be included in our class gift OR to another charity of your student's choosing,   I only encourage your families to be thoughtful and deliberate in your choices. Remember that the intent of

giving tzedakah is to promote social justice.

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to email me! Let the school year begin!

B’Shalom,

Morah Mikey