Using your Tzedakah Box

Under “Projects”, you’ll find instructions for making your own Tzedakah box. Yes, you can go out and buy a Tzedakah box or get one of those free JNF blue boxes. So why go to the hassle of making one? Simple, it will be more special to your children. If it is something they designed and they built, then they are more likely to use it!

Giving Tzedakah (charity) is an important part of our Jewish culture. Teaching our children early on that giving is part of what and who we are will help shape them into caring and generous adults.

After creating your tzedekah box, talk to your children about what is important to them. Once you have a list of what interests them, go to your local library or search the Internet or even your phone book to research related charities. My son, for example, loves (and I mean loves) elephants. We found a charity that supports elephant conservation and research. That’s where he has chosen to donate.

If your children are older, they will be able to take on more responsibility for finding the charity. Perhaps they want to raise money for a group that helps fund music classes in public schools or to give to their youth group or a group home for troubled teens. Again, whatever they can relate to or whatever moves them. You may find tzedekah leads to tikun olam, which is more an act of doing—for example, cooking a meal for a group home or shopping or running errands for an elderly person or throwing a holiday party for children who live in a shelter.

I caution you to research the credibility of any charity you are unfamiliar with before donating. Your local United Jewish Federation chapter may be able to help you. The Better Business Bureau has a wonderful website to check the credibility of various charitable organizations at www.give.org.

Keep the Tzedakah box in a visible location (the kitchen) and make using it part of your everyday life. For example, our children receive their weekly allowance before Shabbat dinner. We use that time to contribute part of that allowance to the tzedekah box. Set the example by putting in some coins from your wallet. What about occasions to celebrate? Good news—good grades—promotion at work—whatever happens that makes your life wonderful – remember those in need.

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