What is Tzedakah? Why should you do acts of loving-kindness?

What are other kids doing to help our poor people?

Would you like to play a game?

We use the word Tzedakah to mean charity, giving money to the poor. Why should we all do Tzedakah?

• A man named Albert Vorspan said that there really isn’t a word in the Hebrew vocabulary for "charity." The word used is tzedakah, which means "righteousness." Tzedakah is not done because you feel bad that someone else doesn’t have as many good things as you do. Tzedakah is done because we are all equal and we must all take care of our fellow person.


• A disciple asked R’ Avraham of Slonim for a blessing. "Hevei Gevir—May you be wealthy," said R’Avraham, "but always remember the next word of the verse, ‘le’achecha—to your brothers.’ Money is only a blessing if it is used to help those in need."


• (hint, discuss this next one with your parents!) An old woman used to go around collecting money for the Chevron Yeshiva. Every week, she would faithfully bring whatever she had managed to raise to the rosh yeshiva, R’Yechezkel Sarna. The money never amounted to much.

  One of his students once asked R’Yechezkel, "Can the yeshiva survive from such donations?"

  "No," replied R’Yechezkel, "the yeshivah cannot survive from such donations, but the world can."

What Are Other Kids Doing to Help our Poor People?

You can help, just like Hannah did! You, your family, friends and school can:

• Make pretty cards for us to include in our Sabbath baskets and our home-delivered meal deliveries.


• Save pennies in your tzedakah box for the poor. We can send you one of ours.


• Hold tzedakah fairs at your religious school. (We can help!)


• Collect kosher food for the hungry.


• Come to our Chanukah party with your family. You can make decorations and help serve our guests.


• Visit The ARK on Purim with your parents and help us deliver Mishloach Manot to the poor. We can’t wait to see your costume!


• Have a toy or clothing drive. Your class can deliver the goodies yourself, and we could show you all around The ARK.

We bet you have plenty of ideas of your own, too. We’d love to hear from you!

Games for Kids

Click on the Word Search and Word Match links to learn and have fun!

Word Search

Word Match

Back to Top