AJA Students Learn About Philanthropy & Tzedakah
The students heard from guest speakers about the importance of giving back to the community.
A bar or bat mitzvah is more than just a milestone — it’s a pivotal moment when young Jewish teens take on responsibility for their faith, their community, and the world around them. At Atlanta Jewish Academy (AJA), parent volunteer Elana Frank wanted to make sure that her boys — and their classmates — don’t take their bar mitzvahs for granted and truly understand that becoming an adult comes with a responsibility to give back.
That’s why, with the help of fellow sixth-grade parent volunteers, Frank modified Yad B’Yad, a long-standing, volunteer-led initiative at AJA, to teach the students about tzedakah in a hands-on, meaningful way. The 36 sixth-grade families each contributed $150 to a collective Yad B’Yad fund, and through interactive learning, guest speakers, and thoughtful discussion, the students are now in the process of deciding how to allocate those collective funds to organizations that align with their values.
A key focus of the program is understanding tzedakah as a core Jewish value. Students explored Maimonides’ (Rambam’s) Eight Levels of Tzedakah, which rank different ways of giving based on how helpful and dignified they are for the recipient. This helped the students think critically about how to create long-term, sustainable impact — not just immediate relief.
To deepen their understanding of the philanthropic world, students had the opportunity to learn from top leaders in the field. Kaylin Berinhout, philanthropic officer at the Atlanta Jewish Foundation, shared insights into the impact of giving and how foundations allocate funds. David Zalik, of the Zalik Foundation, spoke about launching his first business at age 14, how his foundation developed its values, and how nonprofits are evaluated for funding. Philanthropist Michele Hirsch and Vice President of Philanthropy Gabby Spatt from The Hirsch Legacy Fund, joined the conversation to share insights into their philanthropic decision-making process. They even provided the rubric they personally use, allowing the students to apply it in their own giving decisions.
These discussions helped the students realize that tzedakah isn’t just about giving money — it’s about thoughtful decision-making, values, and creating meaningful change.
To determine where their collective funds should go, students engaged in a structured decision-making process, learning to advocate for causes they care about. They identified 16 potential focus areas, including Ukraine, animal welfare, foster care, and the environment. After thoughtful debate and consensus-building, including 30-second pitches to their peers, making a case for why their cause deserved support–they narrowed it down to these final areas: Israel, health, and homelessness.
As the sixth graders prepare to allocate their collective funds, AJA is looking for organizations doing great work in Israel around the areas of health and homelessness to present to the class. Ideally, school leaders would love to find an organization that supports both health and the unhoused in Israel. If you know of an organization that would be a good fit, please complete this form: https://forms.gle/kuDxx2WuWdfhapuVA by April 6, 2025.
Through Yad B’Yad, AJA’s students aren’t just learning about giving — they’re becoming young changemakers and leaders in their community. By integrating Jewish values, real-world experiences, and collective decision-making, this program is ensuring that the next generation understands that giving is not just a responsibility — it’s an essential part of Jewish life.
Elana Frank, parent volunteer at Atlanta Jewish Academy, contributed to this report.
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