Fourth Grade Judaic Studies Focuses on Meaning and Importance of Tzedakah

Tzedakah is a familiar phrase in Judaism, roughly translated as "charitable giving." But fourth graders are learning this year that tzedakah means much more than just donating money; they are learning about “how they can be empowered to make a difference in the world around them by understanding what tzedakah means to them,” says teacher Sharona Israeli-Roth. “Our year in fourth grade revolves around the question ‘What can we do as fourth grade students to make a difference in the world?’”

 

To begin the year students have explored various Jewish leaders’ definitions of tzedakah and their own definition. After presenting posters to the class of images and photos that represent a quote about tzedakah that they selected (the Louis Brandeis quote in our lobby, "Most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done," was a popular selection), students provided each other with positive feedback about the work of their classmates.

 

“The students worked with text from rabbinical leaders and other influential people around the world to pick a quote that really speaks to them,” added Ms. Israeli-Roth. “This project will lead us through different tzedakah explorations: a family project, a Yom Kippur class project, a friend project, and finally a personal project. By the end of the year, each student will know that he or she has the power to make a difference.”

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