Tuesday, April 28, 2009
On Tuesday, April 28, 2009, Areyvut participated in an exciting breakfast and discussion event at Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation in Old Westbury, NY. The panel discussion featured ways in which teens are engaging in tzedakah and making remarkable contributions to their communities. A question-and-answer session and discussion followed the presentation, and all attendees were automatically entered in a raffle drawing for exciting prizes provided by the Jewish Communal Fund (JCF).
The panel discussion featured three speakers who discussed some of the many resources available to parents and synagogue leaders committed to placing Bnai Mitzvah celebrants and other Jewish teens and tweens on the path toward leading meaningful and fulfilling lives. Speakers showcased the ways in which their organizations connect teens to the values of compassion and tikkun olam.
The presenters included:
Ellen Israelson, the Director of Fund Development at JCF, presented JCF’s Children’s Giving Fund, a donor-advised fund for children that provides an easy, effective way for children to experience the joy of giving, support the charities they care about, and develop a life-long commitment to philanthropy.
Daniel Rothner, the Founder and Director of Areyvut, presented the ways in which Areyvut’s unique service partners with schools and synagogues to create and lead innovative and meaningful chesed programs.
Stefanie Zelkind, Director of Youth Philanthropy for the Jewish Funders Network, presented an overview of youth philanthropy around the country, with a particular focus on the teen foundation model.
JCF generously provided exciting raffle prizes, including books for religious school libraries and a $100 grant from JCF to the winner’s synagogue. The event also provided a forum for Areyvut to consult informally with attendees about projects and programming. Areyvut is working on bringing this program to additional communities.
For more information, or to arrange a similar program in your community, please contact Daniel Rothner, Areyvut’s Founder and Director, at (201)-244-6702 or via e-mail at daniel@areyvut.org.
