Youth Engage in Philanthropy

Paramus, NJ- H.O.P.E. (Helping Organizations Provide Essentials) is a Jewish Teen Philanthropy Program at Yeshivat Noam that was created by the Bergenfield based non-profit organization, Areyvut. For nine years, H.O.P.E. has purposefully ingrained philanthropic values and skills into students and have taught them life-changing lessons.

While working as their own Teen Board, H.O.P.E. participants formed a cohesive unit to determine what area of need they wished to focus on, develop a mission statement, decide which agencies to invite for a site visit and, ultimately, where to allocate. Throughout this process, the Teen Philanthropy Program taught the school’s 7th grade students about community needs, philanthropy, leadership skills and local agencies.

Rabbi Chaim Hagler, the Principal of Yeshivat Noam and a devoted advocate of the program, said "We want each student to know that they can and must make a difference. The H.O.P.E. program accomplished this for our students. They are ready to better the world." In addition to teaching students the importance of giving back to their communities, the program is also a great platform for students to utilize leadership and teamwork skills, and build a tight-knit and caring community of friends. “Throughout the process every single one of us was valued and had a voice. Everyone felt comfortable sharing their opinions and we never judged each other. We worked together as a team and should be proud of our accomplishments,” said 7th grader Eva Kaminetsky.

H.O.P.E. participants decided to focus their funding efforts on TEACH (Together Educating All Children In Hospitals). TEACH is a non-profit organization that provides an outlet for children and their families to have fun, forget about why they are there and enjoy hands-on science experiments. On Friday, June 15, H.O.P.E. participants presented a check for $1,500 to Dr. Isaac Snyder, Executive Director of TEACH. To further brighten the days of hospitalized children, the H.O.P.E. participants painted murals with cheery colors and messages of hope to be hung up on the walls of a local hospital.

H.O.P.E. participants reflected on the profound impact the program had on them:

“The H.O.P.E. program taught me that any act of kindness can make a big impact whether its $1,000 or just going to visit someone in the hospital...by participating in H.O.P.E. I learned that you can always make a difference no matter how young you are,” said Emma Goldberg. “As a result of H.O.P.E., I plan to give more charity,” declared Atara Mandelbaum. “The H.O.P.E program taught me that just a little bit of time and money can make an impact that lasts a lifetime,” remarked Akiva Morris. "As a result of H.O.P.E., I want to help people in need," reflected Eva Rothschild.

Areyvut has engaged 155 students to be program participants over the span of the nine years that they have been running the H.O.P.E. program. Their Teen Philanthropy Program has allocated a total of $16,100 to local and Israel-based agencies. Areyvut’s Founder and Director, Daniel Rothner, explained how the lessons of H.O.P.E. follow participants’ way beyond the program. “The lessons H.O.P.E. participants learn are ones they can use throughout their life to help guide their philanthropy, communal involvement and leadership.” Areyvut instills these perpetual life values and lessons through H.O.P.E. and various community unity programs.